If you are looking for a low-maintenance easy-going pet then a couple of chickens could be just right for you. You can even adopt ex battery chickens http://www.chickenadoption.co.uk/# There is no need to take them for walks, chickens quite happily almost look after themselves and unlike a rabbit or goldfish, chickens come with a lifetime supply of eggs. All you need to do to receive these amazing free gifts is ensure a supply of fresh clean water and food to keep them in tip top condition, and a safe place to sleep where foxes cannot get at them.
Foxes will be the main predators, and a fox can come visiting at anytime. Make sure that you have secure fencing, it needs to be dug underground at least 8 inches and the height of the fencing should be at least 5 foot high, preferably 6. Make sure your chickens are shut in before its dark and always check around before letting them out. Foxes aren't stupid, if you let them out at the same time every morning they will notice your routine. Make a habit of every so often checking under bushes, behind fencing or across neighbouring gardens or fields.
Make sure that the droppings do not build up in your hen house. Chicken droppings can be put straight onto vegetables growing in the garden, but flowers will find it too strong. Add the chicken droppings to your compost bin and it will speed up the process and produce an excellent compost.
Move the hen house to around to a new area of grass from time to time. This will prevent one area of your lawn being over-used and any disease from building up in the area.
Try to check that your birds are well every week or so by picking them up and checking for all the signs of a healthy chicken . Chickens can get ill. Most of the time this won't be anything more serious than a runny nose or a spot of diarrhoea (caused by eating too many slugs). make sure your chickens are fully vaccinated and it is unlikely you will have any serious infections as these usually only occur where large numbers are kept together.
Make sure that the straw, hay or shavings in their nesting box are clean and fresh.
Chickens are social animals, so you should never just have one. The least you should have is three, if you have two you could risk one being dominated by the other. Chickens love scratching around for food, unearth some soil for them or hide some food in different places.
Chickens live for around four to five years. If your chicken is in pain or is not responding to treatment, you should take it to the vet. The vet will administer an injection which will send your chicken gently off to a permanent sleep. It costs around £10 and is a service offered by all vets.
Never eat your chicken if it has died.
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