Nest boxes make it easier to collect the eggs, but they need not be fancy. A chicken will lay her eggs wherever she feels safe, which, in some cases, could be all over the yard, under bushes or in other farm buildings. While there are few things that make a chicken-keeper happier than seeing a hen snuggled in on her nesting box, these contraptions are made for people, not necessarily hens. They’re especially helpful in pastures where they will pick through manure, eating flies and their larvae, as well as other nuisance insects.īy spreading out the manure, chickens also disperse worm eggs and larvae, disrupting their life cycle and limiting livestock’s chance of reinfestation.Īllowing chickens access to your compost bin will also offer them supplemental nutrition, while their scratching will assist with aeration. Chickens will nibble weeds and grass, as well as insects, lizards and mice. Free-Range Your Flockįree-ranging your flock offers a plethora of nutritional options while encouraging the natural foraging and feeding behaviors. If you’re the more-adventurous type, try raising your own grubs or meal worms. While you’re weeding, thinning and watering, pick off Japanese beetles and June bugs, throw them in a bucket of water and then give them to your flock as a tasty treat.Ĭonsider making your own chicken treats, too, using grains, suet and lard. If you don’t have room for a full-fledged garden, consider an herb garden: Chickens love basil, cilantro, dill, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, tarragon and thyme.Īn added nutritional boost can come from the garden. Here’s a bonus: Hens that eat dark, leafy veggies lay eggs with richer yolks! If you already plant a garden, consider adding (or planting more of) some chicken-friendly options, including: Though not something to scrimp on, you can stretch your feed-bill budget. Quality feed can be one of the most expensive, ongoing costs of chicken care. oranguta007/Adobe Stock Grow a Garden for Supplemental Nutrition If you want to build something from the ground up, find free plans online and spend some time on Facebook Marketplace or sifting through garage-sale finds to create your dream coop on the cheap. And don’t stop at the frame! Your coop can be an extension of your home, put your decorating stamp on it. If you don’t have any building materials lying around, plan a trip to a local construction surplus store (such as Habitat for Humanity ReStores) to look for building materials you can repurpose. Pallets, salvaged lumber, old cabinets and more (even trampolines, satellite dishes and old cars!) have all been successfully made into chicken coops. I f nothing springs to mind, don’t fret: If you’re on a farm of any size, there’s most likely materials that can be cobbled together into a stellar chicken abode. Look at what you may already own: Kids’ playhouses (plastic or wood), potting sheds, old corn cribs and even lean-tos can be modified into a safe haven for your feathered friends. Reimagine a Chicken CoopĬhicken housing has few requirements other than it be sturdy, safe, spacious (a rule of thumb for standard-sized chickens is 3- to 5-square-feet of space per bird) and well ventilated. While each of these is a requirement for quality chicken care, a bit of ingenuity and a “give it a try” attitude can help keep your costs down when keeping chickens. T h ough you can scrimp on chicken-care costs, some things are non-negotiable, including safe housing, protection from predators and access to adequate nutrition and hydration.
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