A Family Guide To Keeping Chickens (24 page)

There are a wide range of medicinal products available but to start with a basic kit should be adequate. Many items lose their effectiveness over time so are better purchased as required. Keep your first-aid essentials in a labelled container where they are handy. You might include the following:

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Gentian violet antiseptic spray

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An approved poultry disinfectant (e.g. Virkon)

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Petroleum jelly

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Eye-dropper or syringe (for administering fluids)

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Scissors

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Tweezers

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Cotton wool

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Gauze pads

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Duct tape

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‘Vetwrap’ bandage (used on horses – sticks to itself, not to hair or feathers)

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Disposable gloves

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A couple of small towels or old face flannels

This is a minimum list, which can be extended according to your own circumstances and experience. See
Chapter 11
for further information on chicken ailments and problems.

Using Automated Equipment

A useful device will electronically open and close the pop-hole (some types of pop-hole door aren’t suitable for automation). These systems either operate according to light levels or are used with a timer.

Chickens go to bed at dusk, so will be roosting by four o’clock in winter. If the pop-hole isn’t closed, they will be vulnerable to predators. The opposite applies in summer, when they might not be in until 10 p.m. – which may complicate your social life.

The automatic device will also let the chickens out in the morning if you fancy a lie-in.

A disadvantage of an automatically closing pop-hole is that a chicken could be shut out of the house – there’s always one who leaves it until the last minute to go to bed. One of our hens got stuck in a pile of railway sleepers and would have remained there if we hadn’t done the usual head count. Some hens make nests outside and settle down on them.

The possible loss of one or two chickens may outweigh the chances of losing the lot, but an automatic pop-hole should be seen as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement poultry keeper. Before settling down for the evening, you should check that all your chickens have come home to roost.

There are also automatic feeding and watering systems but these tend to be more suitable for large flocks. They can be useful but should never be allowed to replace the daily care and checks that form an essential part of keeping chickens.

Key Points

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Poultry feeders help to avoid waste

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Feed must be kept dry

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The feeder must be able to contain sufficient food for all the flock

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Metal feeders and drinkers are more robust but more expensive than plastic

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Some of the cheaper feeders and drinkers may be poorly designed or rather flimsy

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Raise feeders and drinkers above ground level

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A poultry drinker prevents water from being spilt and helps keep it clean

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The drinker should be large enough to contain plenty of water – a hen drinks about 500 ml a day

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Metal drinkers aren’t suitable for apple cider vinegar

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Clean drinkers regularly to prevent a build-up of poisonous algae

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Store feed under cover in secure containers

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A plastic box with dry soil or sand is ideal for a dust-bath

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Keeping chickens occupied in the run helps prevent anti-social behaviour

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Bedding should be dust-free and absorbent

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A shovel, bucket, stiff brush and scraper will be needed for cleaning the henhouse

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Poultry stores can supply a good range of cleaning products

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Keep a basic first-aid kit at hand

•
Automated equipment is useful but cannot replace daily care

Find out how much you have learnt from
Chapter 5
.

Question One

What’s the best way to stop chickens from wasting their food?

(a) Put it into a dish or bowl

(b) Use a chicken feeder

(c) Scatter it on the ground

Question Two

How much water can a hen drink in a day?

(a) 15 ml

(b) 50 ml

(c) 500 ml

Question Three

How should chicken feed be stored?

(a) In a strong, secure container

(b) In a cardboard box

(c) In a plastic bag

Question Four

Which of these statements is wrong?

(a) Feeders and drinkers should be placed above ground level

(b) Poisonous algae can grow in drinkers that are not cleaned regularly

(c) Chickens don’t perch during the daytime

Question Five

Which of these materials is best for chicken bedding?

(a) Hay

(b) Straw

(c) Wood shavings

Answers

One (b); Two (c); Three (a); Four (c); Five (c)

How many answers did you know? Look at
Chapter 5
again if you are unsure about anything.

‘To over-egg the pudding’: This means to spoil something by trying too hard to make it better. For example: ‘Daniel bought so much chicken equipment that there was no room left in the run for the hens – he over-egged the pudding!’

Why did the chicken join the band?

Because he had the drumsticks!

Make a list of all the equipment you will need for your new chickens. Look in the suppliers’ catalogues or on the internet to see the different styles that are available. Compare the quality and prices.