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BASIC CHICKEN CARE INSTRUCTIONS
<br />CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE ACQUIRING A CHICKEN
<br />lifespan
<br />- Chickens can live as long as a dog or cat- up to 14 years or longer.
<br />- Egg laying for a hen generally starts at 6 months old, peaks at 18 months and declines with
<br />development of reproductive disease.
<br />cost
<br />- Start Up costs for coop, maintenance, tools, cleaning, equipment, heating / cooling appliances, dishes,
<br />nets, food storage, scale, fencing, security locks, lighting, motion detectors, monitors, cameras, permit
<br />application ($2-3,000)
<br />- Annual supplies per bird for food, bedding, nutritional supplements, hygiene supplies, permit fee,
<br />utilities ($300)
<br />- Vet care per bird per service (office exam $66, fecal test $28, plus other services as needed for illness
<br />or injury). Are you able to provide the birds with proper veterinary care needed?
<br />time
<br />- Average 1 hour per bird per day minimum for cleaning, parasite control, grooming, physical exam,
<br />travel time to purchase supplies, construction, repair, medication, feeding, supervise free time out of
<br />pen.
<br />- Chickens need to be tended to twice daily. Will you have a person ready to substitute for you when you
<br />have reason to be absent?
<br />space
<br />At least a 6'W x 121 x 6'H space in a yard is needed for a coop and pen for 4 birds in addition to a larger
<br />fenced area for regular exercise.
<br />location
<br />Coop and pen should be located in an area that provides shade, direct sunlight, good drainage and
<br />protection from prevailing winds and will not present a problem to neighbors.
<br />uninvited guests
<br />Chickens will attract bird mites and lice, mice, yard birds, squirrels, raccoons, dogs, coyotes, fox, mink,
<br />opossum, rats, owls, bobcats, hawks, snakes, weasels, ferrets, fisher, marten and humans.
<br />ACQUIRING A CHICKEN
<br />ADOPTION OR PURCHASE/BREEDING?
<br />The recent interest in having chickens has overwhelmed animal rescue organizations with inquiries from
<br />people wanting to give up chickens who are no longer wanted. Like all other animals surrendered to
<br />shelters, rescue organizations cannot help them all. There are never enough homes for displaced
<br />animals so adoption of birds who need homes is always the kindest choice instead of purchase from a
<br />breeder or hatchery.
<br />adoption- By adopting from a rescue organization or a private individual, you can know what to expect
<br />with regard to the bird's health, sex, behavior and personality. Reputable rescue organizations can
<br />provide advice on selecting the right bird, care information and generally have a generous return policy
<br />to insure that bird will be happy, compatible and well cared for.
<br />purchase/breeding- The identification of the sex of chicks by feed stores, breeders and hatcheries is
<br />often wrong and not apparent until the bird is 6 months old. 50% of the chicks hatched are roosters who
<br />are killed or otherwise discarded of as waste. Newborn chicks shipped through the postal service are
<br />deprived of their mothers, warmth and food. The younger the bird the more fragile and difficult they are
<br />to care for.
<br />chickenrunrescue.org Page 3 9/14/15
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