3 Things to Do Before Getting a Pet Chicken

More and more people are jumping on the trend of getting chickens to produce farm-fresh eggs for them and their families.

This is a very self-sustainable approach to living and will likely grow in popularity in the coming years. If you’re interested in starting a little farm, there are some things you need to know.

Chickens are relatively easy animals to take care of but don’t let this fool you into thinking they only require food and water. Chickens need many things to make them feel safe enough and keep healthy enough to produce eggs.

Still want a feathered friend? Let’s begin.

Establish a Feeding System

Chickens like to eat. Like, a lot. They tend to peck at just about anything in front of them and need constant access to a food source.

While you are welcome to refill their food supply daily, other, more efficient methods may work better for you.

Dalton engineering feeding & drinking appliances are built to provide chickens with constant access to their food and water needs. Many appliances are made in such a way that they will store lots of food or water and distribute it when the chickens have eaten what was visible to them.

Not only will this be easier on you, but it will also ensure that your chickens never go hungry!

Create a Shelter

Chickens are relatively vulnerable creatures, especially at night. You should provide them with a shelter that they can return to if they sense any danger.

Chicken runs are traditionally large, caged-in areas where the birds can roam freely without any other precautions being taken. Hawks, raccoons, and cats are unable to make their way into these protected areas. Building one of these will give you some peace of mind knowing that your chickens are safe from any harm.

Additionally, it would be best if you built or purchase little shelters that you can place throughout the area in which they will roam freely. Chickens have an acute sense of when there are predators near and will feel safe if they have a place to hide.

Simple little boxes and covers will do the trick, so don’t fret about going overboard on these structures. If your hens are squawking more than usual, there is a good chance that they feel unsafe and that you should do something to change that.

Designate an Area for them to Roam

If you plan on letting the chickens roam freely, you should work on designating a specific area in which they can wander.

This mainly comes into play if you have other animals, like dogs or cats, that will be spending time outdoors. Most domestic animals will think that your new pets are a chew toy, so you should do your best to make sure this meeting doesn’t happen.

Additionally, chickens (and most other birds) tend to carry a lot of diseases and bacteria that can transfer to your other pets. To keep everyone healthy, make sure that your chickens have a spot to call their own.

Conclusion

Getting chickens to start a small back garden farm is a great way to take that first step toward self-sustainability. With farm-fresh eggs every single morning, you are going to be so glad that you chose to get them.

While these birds are some of the easier animals to take care of, there are some things you need to do before you bring them home. If you follow these simple tips, you are guaranteed to create a safe and healthy environment for your new pets!