How to Keep Your Chickens Completely Happy
With the rise in the cost of eggs, and people looking to incorporate homesteading and other sustainable practices, more people are looking towards getting chickens. Chickens are not only a wonderful way to get fresh eggs, something supermarket eggs can’t compete with. But chickens can make wonderful pets, which can truly add something to the family.
But one thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that, is that chickens need to be cared for properly. It’s not as simple as putting them in a chicken coop and giving them corn. It’s going to go far beyond that. So, here is how you can keep your chickens completely happy.
Do What You Can to Keep Them Healthy
If you want your backyard chickens to be happy, healthy birds, you can do a few things. The first step is to create an environment that encourages natural behaviors and reduces stress. Remember, raising happy and healthy chickens that provide for your family is possible, but it does mean you need to put effort into it. Chickens are just like other birds and other animals; they need to be cared for properly.
Keeping your birds in a coop with a run and access to clean water and dry dirt will ensure they have everything they need to keep themselves healthy. In addition, provide a dust bath area for them to roll around in. They’re going to need a nutritious diet. This will ensure they grow strong, lay plenty of eggs, and live long healthy lives. This benefits not only them but you too. Plus, chickens naturally forage and aren’t exactly picky eaters, either.
Keep Them Entertained
All animals need a form of entertainment, and the same goes for chickens too. Just think about it, would you want to be in a cage or coop all day, only eating and lying around? It gets pretty boring after a while, and they need some type of stimulation. You don’t need anything glamorous for chickens, but there are things out there to keep them happy and entertained. Chicken swings are a fun way to entertain your chickens and prevent boredom in the coop or run. Plus, when they’re entertained and active, this means they will eat more nutritious food.
Give Them Treats
Just as cats and dogs love getting a treat, your chickens deserve one too! Providing your chickens with healthy, nutritious treats and food can help keep them happy and healthy. Adding herbs to their diet can be a great way to boost their immune systems and keep them feeling good. Herbal remedies and preventives can be simple to grow or buy and significantly impact your chicken’s health and well-being. They also provide extra nutrition for your eggs, making them healthier to eat. So, in the end, by giving them treats, you’re treating yourself to better eggs.
Make Them Feel Safe
Like any other bird, chickens have instincts and need to know they’re safe. It’s far from ideal to have stressed chickens; this will even make the relationship between the chicken and owner challenging too. As their owner, you have to ensure they don’t become prey to birds of prey, raccoons, foxes, opossums, and more. Predators can wreak havoc on a flock both during the day and at night. Some of these predators may be more dangerous than others and could even put your family and pets in danger. While you don’t necessarily need to have steel frame buildings in order to keep your chickens safe, having at least some type of safe shelter is going to be key.
