As the old saying goes, “health is wealth”, and it brings home the point when one considers the significance of keeping hens free from the many bird diseases. After all , if we want them to supply us with our eggs every day then the least they can expect from us is a bit of thought and care into their welfare.

The Ideal Environment

The health of a chicken starts with her environment. While it’s true that chickens are able to manage real well to both cold and hot weather, constant exposure to extreme climates can still get the best of them.

That is the reason why a chicken house should be set up to be both well ventilated as well as free from draft. Be sure that the perches are not too high to cause any foot injury when stepping off. Keeping the chicken house freed from moisture also helps forestall illnesses that are the result of ammonia and other dangerous gases.

And naturally, you have to maintain cleanliness in the coop and its surrounding environment to stop the proliferation of mites, lice and other critters. These pests could cause serious health risks if left alone. Regular thorough cleaning with plenty of clean water and disinfectant ought to be undertaken to maintain a clean environment for your chickens.

Protection From Predators

Chickens are tasty food for any predators stalking the area near the coop. To be certain of the safety of your hens, make sure that the coop and the fence around it is well sealed. Do not use just any wire to build the fence, and use one that is durable. The fence should be high enough to stop animals jumping over and its bottom buried deep enough (12 inches at the very least) under the ground to prevent predators from burrowing under.

Correct Watering and Feeding

Just like with any animal, chickens need a well balanced diet and a daily intake of water. Chickens have a formulated diet that relies upon their needs as befits their age and what they’re supposed to provide. You might do well to do some research on the advocated diet for your chickens to make certain that they’re getting the right nourishment they require.

Give Them Enough Space

Not giving chickens sufficient room to move about or “free range” can induce a lot of stress in them, which becomes detrimental to their vitality. Crowding can also lead to lots of fighting in the coop, and will finally run the risk of some chickens getting seriously hurt. Remember that each chicken should have around two square foot of shelter in the hen house and three square foot of run area in the coop, so pay attention to the quantity of space you have in your garden when deciding on the amount and type of chickens you want to raise.

Visit Clare’s virtual store for a wide choice of professionally built chicken coops as well as pointers on how to build your own chicken coop