Keeping chickens healthy is most important for successful chicken farming. Not only beginners, but experts can also make mistakes that negatively affect poultry health.
If you keep chickens healthy, you will see an increase in egg production and reduced health problems in your flocks.
So, how do you keep chickens healthy and ensure your backyard flock lives a long life?
Here’s the guide to keep your chickens healthy and happy.
This definitive guide includes: 21 golden rules for chicken care, covering everything from establishing a chicken coop and feeding chickens to daily routines and egg production.
1. Provide Grit and Calcium Supplements for Healthy Chickens.
Keeping your chickens healthy must include grit and calcium in their daily diet. This is highly recommend it if you are raising chickens inside a coop.
Grit is very important for raising chickens because it helps them digest feed, working like their “teeth.” So, if your flock does not free-range, offer commercial chicken grit in a separate feeder.
To laying hens, give crushed oyster shell or limestone to promote poultry health and hard eggshells. Calcium from the oyster shells prevents soft-shelled eggs and health problems like weak bones.
That is why these two things have a vital role in making your chickens healthy and productive.
2. Collect Eggs Promptly (Early and Often).
Properly collecting eggs daily is another healthy work for your chickens. You must collect eggs at least once if raising egg-laying breeds. Also, check and collect eggs if your few chickens are laying eggs during the evening.
Early collection keeps the backyard area clean and prevents it from being cracked, eaten, or spoiled by your flocks and other pets.
In hot or freezing weather, check nesting boxes more often to avoid eggs spoiling or freezing.
Regular egg collection is one of the best beginner chicken tips for keeping chickens healthy and maintaining the highest poultry health standards. This simple daily habit keeps your chickens healthy, the coop clean, and the business profitable.
3. Connect with Local Chicken Keepers
Connecting with local chicken farmers is a great way to learn more about chicken care and increase success rates in poultry farming.
Talking with other chicken raisers can give you insight into the right chicken coop setup, chicken feed options, local poultry health problems, and the best ways to keep chickens healthy.
Join a poultry club or online group for beginner chicken tips and troubleshooting. Seeing how other keepers manage their healthy chickens helps you avoid mistakes and gives you support during a problem.
Building these community connections is priceless for keeping chickens happy. You can connect with online communities on Reddit, Facebook, and Pinterest.
4. Stick to a Consistent Feeding Routine.
Like humans, chickens also need regular foraging and feeding. You must open the coop door every day early morning to allow them outside. You can use an automatic chicken coop door.
If you are raising chickens inside, you must provide them with feed at least twice a day for their healthy growth.
Feeding chickens properly according to weight and age is most important. Lack of feed is a major cause of stress and low egg production in chickens. You also need to understand the correct feed quantity your flocks need.
You can add a few recommended treats with chicken feed occasionally. If you have a small space in your backyard, you can allow them outside for foraging for a short time.
5. Keep Learning (Educate Yourself)
The more you learn about your chickens, the happier and healthier they will be. Learning about chicken care, health issues, and management is most important to run a chicken coop.
Whether you are a backyard chicken raiser or a commercial chicken farmer, learning is the key.
You can take help from online communities, local farmers, trusted books, and blogs. For critical issues, always contact a vet.
Adding a mentor in your business is most important, who will help you to handle challenges like illness, predators, or unusual behavior in your chicken coop.
Also, learn about common chicken diseases and basic first aid, which is essential for beginners.
6. Always Provide Clean, Fresh Water.
Fresh and clean water is a must for healthy chickens, no matter if you have a couple of hens in your garden or a big flock.
Birds can survive for a longer time without food than without water; thus, even a few-hour restriction can lead to stress, poor growth, and a decline in egg production very quickly.
Always check and refill the waterers at least once a day, and do it more often during hot weather because chickens will drink more to cool themselves off.
For winter, use heated waterers or change out the frozen water several times a day to keep the birds from getting dehydrated.
Do Chlorinantion and disinfect water containers once in a while to avoid bacteria and algae from forming, which in turn will be a disease protection measure for your flock.
Good hydration promotes strong immunity, stable growth, and consistent egg laying; hence, it is one of the most significant aspects of daily poultry care.
7. Give Them Plenty of Space
Happy and healthy chickens in the backyard require enough space and proper chicken care and poultry health.
Stress, aggression, disease, and dirty conditions are some problems that can be caused by overcrowding in the chicken coop or run.
Chickens need at least 3-4 sq ft inside and 8-10 sq ft outside for a healthy life and good egg production.
If you allow your hens to free range, they will benefit from even more exercise and space. Also provide them dust bath area for flocks.
Enough space is one of the most important chicken tips for beginners and also for keeping chickens safe and thriving in the home.
8. Feed a High-Quality Diet.
In order to maintain the well-being of the chickens and to continue producing eggs in good quantities, it is very important to provide them with a balanced, high-quality chicken feed.
Choose age-appropriate commercial feed for your poultry’s health. Do not use cheap quality feeds containing fillers, as they may create nutritional deficiencies. In the course of your chicken care routine, offer oyster shells for calcium and grit for digestion.
Decrease the share of treats such as vegetables or mealworms to a maximum of 10% of the diet.
Good nutrition is a major beginner chicken tip for raising chickens at home and for keeping your flock productive in the chicken coop.
9. Know What a Healthy Chicken Looks Like.
The daily observation of your backyard chickens will surely be one of the best methods to keep them healthy and also to maintain the overall top poultry health.
Healthy birds display signs like bright eyes, red combs, smooth feathers, and active behavior, which are all indications for anyone bringing up or keeping chickens at home.
Illness can be indicated by symptoms such as lethargy, ruffled feathers, sneezing, diarrhea, or pale combs.
Checking the body condition of your birds can be considered a regular part of chicken care; healthy hens feel well-filled, not thin.
Early detection of problems is vital for keeping a productive and happy chicken coop, and it is the most critical beginner chicken tip for preventing flock-wide issues as well.
10. Build a Secure, Well-Designed Coop.
A good chicken coop building will not only keep your chickens safe from predators and bad weather but will also provide comfort, which is important for good poultry health.
Choose materials that are strong and weather-resistant, have a sloped roof to avoid leaks and ensure proper ventilation for the best care of chickens.
For protection against predators, cover all windows and vents with strong hardware cloth.
Within the coop, place roost bars and nesting boxes to have happy and healthy chickens as well as increased egg production.
Clean and secure coops regularly; this is key to a thriving flock and great for new chicken keepers. You can also add a section where you can add hanging and pecking toys for them.
Also read: How to build a predator proof chicken coop?
11. Introduce Other Pets Carefully.
Introducing backyard chickens to other animals is a significant factor in chicken care and home health.
Supervise all interactions during the period of raising chickens with dogs or cats—even the mildest pets can chase or scare your flock.
Start the introductions with chickens in an enclosed area while the dogs watch on a leash.
Healthy chickens are usually too big for cats to hurt; chicks need special protection. Never leave predatory pets unsupervised with poultry.
The training and gradual introductions are the key beginner chicken tips for keeping the poultry healthy and the backyard peaceful for all.
Also read: Best livestock guardian dog breeds
12. Hens Do not Need a Rooster to Lay Eggs.
A rooster is unnecessary for an egg-laying hen, and this is a key tip for beginners; they are only needed to fertilize eggs and hatch chicks.
Caring for chickens is easy if you have a flock of hens in a small area and ensure their good health and environment, focusing on eggs.
Most chicken owners do not keep a rooster in their coop unless they are seeking chicks or additional flock protection.
Hens will continue to be productive and happy, thus maintaining poultry health and egg production steadily, if they are kept in a home without a rooster.
13. Keep the Coop Clean and Dry
A clean and dry chicken coop is the condition for keeping chickens healthily and for having the best quality meat and eggs in your garden.
If a chicken coop has dirt or is damp, it will allow harmful bacteria, parasites and mold to grow, lower egg production and make the birds unhealthy.
Among the various practices of chicken care, excluding droppings and changing bedding are the most important.
Weekly cleaning should be your schedule for small flocks, and monthly or seasonal deep cleaning for larger ones.
Good air circulation and timely repair of leaks are the factors that will help you keep the moisture levels under control easily.
Using dry and clean bedding is one of the most powerful beginner tips for raising chickens, making eggs safe, and having healthy chickens at home.
14. Check Local Laws and Ordinances
Before raising chickens, check local laws. These laws concern keeping poultry at home.
A lot of places have regulations regarding chicken coop placement, the number of birds allowed, banning of roosters and setting of standards for the health of the poultry.
Follow local city or HOA rules for chicken care. They may limit the number of hens or ban noise.
Abiding by local laws not only makes your backyard chickens welcome but also prevents you from incurring fines and is a sign of good relations with the community.
The neighborhood will never forget responsible, law-abiding chicken owners as a benchmark for healthy chickens and successful egg production.
15. Expect (and Understand) the Annual Molt
Molting is an event that occurs naturally in chickens, and it can be viewed as a good time for care and raising chickens at home.
Healthy birds will change the lot of feathers once a year—most often during late summer or fall. The hens may not look good, lose feathers, and stop laying eggs.
To support your flock, give them good and nutritious chicken feed along with extra protein during the molting period. Do not touch the birds, as their new feathers are delicate.
The birds will look like they have just come out of a beauty salon when they have regained their shiny feathers and also be back to laying.
Knowing about this natural occurrence is one of the best beginner chicken tips for controlling egg production and making sure backyard chickens survive.
During the molting period, the females will tap their energy sources for new feathers, and the laying of eggs will be stopped.
Wait patiently. They will lay eggs again in two months. The egg quality will likely improve after the break.
16. Place the Coop in a Convenient, Safe Spot
Where you put your chicken coop when you keep chickens at home is very important for chicken care, poultry health, and daily routines.
The coop should be situated for simple chicken care, egg collection. The best option is a place that gets both sun and shade so that your chickens will be healthy throughout the year.
Good drainage releases water and prevents disease raise the coop or cover it with gravel. Keep the coop visible as an anti-predator measure and consider the possibility of having electricity or water nearby.
Proper placement is the number one beginner chicken tip for keeping backyard chickens healthy, secure, and easy to manage.
17. Collect Eggs Twice Daily in Extreme Weather
For reliable egg production, collecting eggs twice daily is crucial in both cold and hot climates.
In summer, the eggs of the backyard chickens can become rotten because of the heat, and in winter, the eggs may freeze and break.
Collecting eggs in the morning and evening keeps the chickens healthy, reduces the number of broken eggs, and lessens the egg-eating behavior in the coop.
Should you gather only once throughout the period, choose the afternoon. Following this first-time chicken keeper advice means that your egg production will remain high and the health of your flock will be maintained throughout the whole year.
18. Prepare Your Flock for Winter Cold
Prepping your backyard fowl for winter is a must if you want your chickens to remain healthy and you to have the best poultry health.
Part of winter chicken care is keeping the chicken coop dry, not too cold and always with good air circulation plus insulation through the use of deep, dry bedding.
Wide roosts should be provided and water not frozen-heated bases or frequent changes help. Give chickens extra food in winter for energy and egg production.
Regularly collect eggs to avoid freezing. These beginner chicken tips will ensure your flock remains healthy, active, and productive during the cold months when keeping chickens at home.
19. Ensure a Balanced Diet (Limit Treats)
A balanced chicken feed is a major factor in chicken care, keeping your flock healthy, and supporting the health of poultry in your home.
The basic diet for the backyard chickens should comprise a quality complete feed with occasional small amounts of treats.
Treats, especially those that are starchy or low in protein, can adversely affect egg production and the health of the flock.
It is advisable to apply the 90/10 rule: 90% feed, 10% or fewer treats—this is one of the best tips for a beginner chicken raiser.
You should always provide oyster shell and grit as your chickens’ supplements and also make fresh water available.
Treats in small amounts will guarantee that your chickens are healthy and that the eggs coming from your chicken coop are of high quality.
20. Trim Flight Feathers to Prevent Escapes (If Needed)
The method of clipping flight feathers is one of the most effective techniques in chicken care for keeping backyard chickens, which often try to escape, in their place.
By trimming the primary flight feathers of one wing, chickens at home are made safe, contained, and healthy—especially for the lighter breeds.
Scissors with sharp blades should trim the width of the outer feathers by half, while great care is taken to avoid blood feathers.
Most of the owners do it once or twice a year, usually after the annual molt. Clipping may not be needed for healthy chickens, which do not fly or stay in a secure chicken coop or run.
For chicken husbandry, maintaining poultry health is of utmost importance, so always choose the option that suits your flock the best!
21. Use Proper Bedding in the Coop
Picking the correct bedding for your chicken coop is a significant factor in the overall care of chickens and their health in the backyard.
The materials should be absorbent, low-dust, and resistant to mold. Pine shavings are the best choice for poultry health, as they are excellent for absorbing moisture and controlling odor.
Place 3–6 inches of bedding on the floor and mix it up regularly to keep the bedding dry and fresh for your chickens. Steer clear of cedar and moldy materials, and replace bedding when necessary.
You can use sand as bedding if wood shaving is not available. Proper bedding management is one of the top beginner chicken tips for raising chickens, which leads to a healthy flock and a clean, productive one at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I keep my chickens healthy in the winter?
A: Keeping your chickens healthy during the winter months causes proper chicken care and poultry health in your backyard chicken coop. So get yourself a chicken coop, well and dry, free of drafts and properly ventilated, using deep and dry bedding for insulation. Water can be kept from freezing using a heated bowl or frequent changes, and eggs should be collected often so that they do not freeze or crack. Many backyard chickens do not require heat unless the outside temperature is extraordinarily cold. Chicken coops must be predator proof, and increase feathered friends’ feed allowance during the cold season for warmth. Implement this beginner chicken tips and your flock will be healthy, productive, and comfortable all winter long.
Q2: Do my hens need a rooster to lay eggs?
A: No, a rooster is not a requirement for hens to produce eggs. For pet chickens solely for egg production, there is no need of keeping a rooster for maintaining the health and productivity of hens—unless you plan to hatch chicks from fertilized eggs. Hens will continue to lay eggs every day if chicken care is proper, the diet is balanced, and good poultry health practices applied. Keeping chickens free of roosters is a choice of many chicken owners because the hen evenings are silent, the coop is less stressed, and they get better results in the chicken raising process at home. Quality chicken feed and beginner chicken tips are the only things you need to keep your flock happy and laying.
Q3: How much space do chickens need in a coop and run?
A: To take care of chickens in the best possible way and also to keep them in good health, it is necessary to give at least 3–4 square feet of space for each bird in your chicken coop and 8–10 square feet for each chicken in the outdoor run. More space is beneficial for the health of poultry, it also reduces their stress and prevents even the most common diseases among backyard chickens. The same roost space of 8–10 inches should be provided for every chicken. If not completely, at least offer run space or free-range time for chickens, which will be healthier and happier, and thus the egg production will be better. These beginner guidelines for chicken rearing do not only help your flock to live but also thrive.
Q4: How often should I clean my chicken coop?
A: Regular cleaning of the chicken coop is a must if one wants to keep the chickens healthy and to have good poultry health in the backyard. As a part of routine chicken care, droppings and moist bedding should be removed at least once a week; however, a number of keepers do daily quick cleans. Every month or two, do a deep clean—change all bedding and clean surfaces well. In deep-litter systems, one should do a complete clean-up 1–2 times a year. Always keep nesting boxes clean to ensure high production of eggs and cleanliness of eggs. These beginner chicken tips will not only help you in your poultry farming activities but also in having a simple and odor-free chicken farm at home.
Q5: How can I tell if a chicken is sick or needs attention?
A: To maintain chicken health, include warning signs of diseases in your chicken care and poultry health routine. Symptoms of a sick chicken are lack of energy, feathers all up, eyes closing, not eating, drinking less, nose or eye discharge, coughing, difficulty breathing, pale combs, or abnormal droppings. A sudden decrease in egg production or strange eggs can indicate health problems in chickens kept in the backyard. If you notice these symptoms, isolate the chicken and check with a poultry doctor. Being familiar with the usual behavior of your flock is essential beginner chicken advice for home raising chickens and providing good health to your flock.
Q6: Are chickens high-maintenance pets?
A: Chickens at home need regular chicken care, though, being pets, they are still not as high-maintenance. Daily routines consist of feeding, watering, and sanitizing the chicken coop for the well-being of the chickens and also for poultry health. Automated feeders and waterers are handy in making chicken raising more convenient. If you plan to travel, you must take care of your flock. With an excellent coop and run, the chores can be done in just a few minutes in the morning and evening and even less time for a deeper clean on the weekends. Chickens are moderate-maintenance, and if one adheres to beginner chicken hints and schedules then one is going to have fresh eggs and a happy and healthy flock.
Summary
Following these 21 chicken care rules will keep your chickens healthy, boost egg production, and result in a happy flock.
The adventure of raising and having chickens at home is incredibly rewarding—watch your flock, and change your poultry health practice if necessary, and have fun.
A good supply of healthy chickens will be fresh eggs, entertainment, and all the satisfaction that comes with having a productive chicken coop in your backyard.
I hope this guide will help you in keeping your chickens healthy. Must share your caring tips below so that it help us and our readers to keep their chickens happy.
