Chickens
Food & drink
What should I give my chickens to eat?
How do I put together a balanced diet for my chickens?
As well as daily drinking water, chickens also need some mixed chicken grain, layer pellets and grit every day. Layer pellets ensure regular laying and a strong eggshell, thanks to the extra minerals and vitamins. Laying chickens need enough calcium to lay well. Laying chicken breeds are bred especially to lay as many eggs as possible. With the right diet and care, chickens can lay six eggs per week during their most productive weeks.
Always provide a portion of grit too. Chickens do not have teeth, the grit helps them to digest their food and it is an extra source of calcium.
TIP: Do not give your chicken too many food remnants: vegetables, fruit and potatoes won't do any harm as long as they are given in moderation. Do not feed them any kitchen waste that is cooked with a lot of salt or different herbs, this disrupts their digestive tract. Don't forget to remove the remnants from the roost the next day. If the food starts to rot or mould this can cause problems for the chickens.
Important information
Five useful tips!
Five useful tips when you are thinking about buying chickens
- Chickens are lovely animals to keep in the garden. They are also very suitable for children. There is nothing nicer than collecting eggs together and looking after the chickens.
- Chickens begin to lay from the age of around 18 weeks. When the days get shorter, they will lay less and in the winter period the chickens can even stop altogether until the days start to lengthen again.
- Ornamental chickens are chicken breeds with special plumage or body shapes. They are bred not only for their decorative qualities but also because they can lay eggs, though fewer than a laying chicken.
- Always provide fresh drinking water. A chicken that does not receive water for one day, can stop laying for up to a week.
- Chickens are active animals, so provide plenty of space! A chicken run with a night roost is definitely a necessity, provide one nest box per three to four chickens.
How do I put together a balanced diet for my chickens?
As well as daily drinking water, chickens also need some mixed chicken grain, layer pellets and grit every day. Layer pellets ensure regular laying and a strong eggshell, thanks to the extra minerals and vitamins. Laying chickens need enough calcium to lay well. Laying chicken breeds are bred especially to lay as many eggs as possible. With the right diet and care, chickens can lay six eggs per week during their most productive weeks.
Always provide a portion of grit too. Chickens do not have teeth, the grit helps them to digest their food and it is an extra source of calcium.
TIP: Do not give your chicken too many food remnants: vegetables, fruit and potatoes won't do any harm as long as they are given in moderation. Do not feed them any kitchen waste that is cooked with a lot of salt or different herbs, this disrupts their digestive tract. Don't forget to remove the remnants from the roost the next day. If the food starts to rot or mould this can cause problems for the chickens.
Five useful tips when you are thinking about buying chickens
- Chickens are lovely animals to keep in the garden. They are also very suitable for children. There is nothing nicer than collecting eggs together and looking after the chickens.
- Chickens begin to lay from the age of around 18 weeks. When the days get shorter, they will lay less and in the winter period the chickens can even stop altogether until the days start to lengthen again.
- Ornamental chickens are chicken breeds with special plumage or body shapes. They are bred not only for their decorative qualities but also because they can lay eggs, though fewer than a laying chicken.
- Always provide fresh drinking water. A chicken that does not receive water for one day, can stop laying for up to a week.
- Chickens are active animals, so provide plenty of space! A chicken run with a night roost is definitely a necessity, provide one nest box per three to four chickens.
Fun facts!
Did you know…
Did you know... Five fun and important facts about chickens
- The bantam chicken is a chicken breed that is often kept today thanks to its small size.
- There is a varied range of different species and breeds of ornamental chickens in both bantam and large-fowl forms. Popular breeds include: the cochin, Brahma, chabo, New Hampshire, Wyandotte, Sebright, Orpington etc.
- Laying chickens lay until the age of around four years. After this the laying cycle comes to an end.
- Factors such as temperature, light duration, stress or anxiety determine the laying intensity. Chickens need a minimum of 10 hours' light per day to lay well. This is why laying is lower during the winter months. Make sure that the chicken is not overweight, as it will then also start to lay less.
- Cockerels are kept less often as they don't lay eggs, often begin to crow early in the morning and because cockerels can fight a lot amongst each other. The hens lay eggs even if there is no cockerel, but of course then, there will be no chicks.
Housing
Things you really need to know!
How do I provide the best possible home for my chickens?
Chickens are active animals, so provide plenty of space! They are easy to please with a chicken run including a raised, protected roost and a laying nest. Always keep the roost dry. Good ventilation and plenty of light coming in are also important.
Chickens prefer square perches to round perches, as they can grip these better.
Always provide covering for the floor of the roost. Keep the roost clean and tidy and replace the floor covering regularly. Wire mesh under the perches is a necessity.
Did you know... Five fun and important facts about chickens
- The bantam chicken is a chicken breed that is often kept today thanks to its small size.
- There is a varied range of different species and breeds of ornamental chickens in both bantam and large-fowl forms. Popular breeds include: the cochin, Brahma, chabo, New Hampshire, Wyandotte, Sebright, Orpington etc.
- Laying chickens lay until the age of around four years. After this the laying cycle comes to an end.
- Factors such as temperature, light duration, stress or anxiety determine the laying intensity. Chickens need a minimum of 10 hours' light per day to lay well. This is why laying is lower during the winter months. Make sure that the chicken is not overweight, as it will then also start to lay less.
- Cockerels are kept less often as they don't lay eggs, often begin to crow early in the morning and because cockerels can fight a lot amongst each other. The hens lay eggs even if there is no cockerel, but of course then, there will be no chicks.
How do I provide the best possible home for my chickens?
Chickens are active animals, so provide plenty of space! They are easy to please with a chicken run including a raised, protected roost and a laying nest. Always keep the roost dry. Good ventilation and plenty of light coming in are also important.
Chickens prefer square perches to round perches, as they can grip these better.
Always provide covering for the floor of the roost. Keep the roost clean and tidy and replace the floor covering regularly. Wire mesh under the perches is a necessity.
Ducks in your garden?
A few useful tips
A few tips when you are thinking about buying ducks.
- If you decide to keep ducks, it's best to provide the most natural possible environment. Find out what is necessary to offer each breed of duck a happy life. Give them plenty of space and also provide a hygienic environment. Create a number of feeding places, so that less dominant birds or chicks will also have a chance to eat in peace.
- Clean drinking and swimming water is of vital importance for ducks! They wash in the water, they drink from it and they also do their business in the same water, so regularly refreshing the water is definitely necessary.
- Provide a food adjusted to the nutritional requirements of your ducks. Then you can be sure they are not missing out on anything.
- The wood duck or Carolina duck and mandarin duck are two popular breeds because of their beautiful colours.
Tailored products
Food and bedding
A few tips when you are thinking about buying ducks.
- If you decide to keep ducks, it's best to provide the most natural possible environment. Find out what is necessary to offer each breed of duck a happy life. Give them plenty of space and also provide a hygienic environment. Create a number of feeding places, so that less dominant birds or chicks will also have a chance to eat in peace.
- Clean drinking and swimming water is of vital importance for ducks! They wash in the water, they drink from it and they also do their business in the same water, so regularly refreshing the water is definitely necessary.
- Provide a food adjusted to the nutritional requirements of your ducks. Then you can be sure they are not missing out on anything.
- The wood duck or Carolina duck and mandarin duck are two popular breeds because of their beautiful colours.