A Family Guide To Keeping Chickens (60 page)

This is the best time to start keeping chickens – or to buy some new stock.

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Hens will start producing more eggs or come back into lay after winter

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Keep an eye on pullets coming into lay for the first time

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Make sure the hens have shelter from the elements

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Keep the run well maintained to avoid a mud-bath

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Repair any winter damage to the henhouse

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Parasites begin emerging in warm weather – check birds and housing regularly

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Don’t forget internal parasites – this is a good time to administer Flubenvet

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Hens may go broody – decide whether to hatch some chicks this year

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Summer isn’t far away so start making holiday arrangements for your chickens

Summer

Relax in the garden with a chicken on your lap – and check her for parasites!

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Your chickens will be going to bed much later now

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Remember that foxes may be around during the long summer evenings

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Flightier breeds may fancy roosting in trees and should be discouraged

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If hens don’t want to go into their house at night, check it for red mite

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Watch for hens making nests under bushes

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Consider freezing or selling surplus eggs

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Pick a sunny day to scrub the henhouse

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Be on the alert for parasites

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Deal with maintenance to the henhouse and run

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Make sure the chickens have shade – but remember they enjoy sunbathing too

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Place food and water out of the sun

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Keep the drinker full but don’t give icy water in hot weather

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Clean the drinker regularly to prevent algae forming

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Try to visit summer shows to see what’s new in the chicken world

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If going out for the day, make sure you leave enough food and water

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Hens may start moulting at the end of summer

Autumn

Is the henhouse well-stocked? Can the chickens keep each other warm on chilly nights?

Provide shelter from wind and rain

Autumn colours – prepare for chilly nights ahead

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Feed moulting chickens well to encourage re-feathering

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While the weather remains warm, keep checking for external parasites

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Treat with Flubenvet to deal with the summer crop of internal parasites

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Wash and disinfect the henhouse to kill off any bugs before winter

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Make sure the house and run are in good repair before the bad weather starts

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Prepare winter quarters if necessary – a large shed so the birds can stay indoors or a run on a solid surface

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Provide shelter from wind and rain

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Sudden storms might result in some odd eggs the next day

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Egg production may be declining

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The chickens will begin roosting earlier – make sure they are securely shut up at dusk

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The birds will eat more as the temperature drops and they will appreciate some grain in the afternoon

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Rodents will be looking for comfortable winter quarters – don’t attract them with food and watch out for rat holes or gnawing

Winter

Winter nights are long and cold – keep your chickens dry and warm.

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Regularly check for leaks or draughts in the henhouse – make sure there is adequate ventilation too

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Provide plenty of dry bedding and change it regularly

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Be generous with feed – mixed-corn given in the afternoon helps generate warmth overnight

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Supply some vegetables but don’t feed anything that’s frosted

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Bring drinkers inside at night to prevent them freezing

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Check that water hasn’t frozen during the day

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The chickens will be in bed by mid-afternoon – see that they are secure

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Snow can unsettle chickens – they may be reluctant to come out of their house

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Birds with feathered feet and legs find snow and wet particularly unpleasant

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Provide some shelter so the hens are encouraged to venture outside

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Predators and rodents are hungry now – ensure there are no weak spots in the house or run and watch for any evidence of their presence

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Apply Vaseline to large combs and wattles to help prevent frostbite

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Keep an eye open for external parasites if the weather turns mild

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Some hens may start laying again in January – proving that spring isn’t that far away!