Chickens Care Guide — FarmPal
Complete care guide for chickens including housing, feeding, health, breeding, and seasonal care.
Housing Requirements
- •4 sq ft per bird inside coop
- •10 sq ft per bird in run
- •Roost bar 8-12 inches per bird
- •One nesting box per 4-5 hens
- •Good ventilation but draft-free
- •Secure from predators (hardware cloth, not chicken wire)
Feeding
Daily
1/4 lb layer feed per bird
Oyster shell free-choice for calcium
Grit for digestion
Fresh greens and vegetables
Mealworms as treats (limit to 10%)
Health
Checkups
Weekly visual inspection, monthly detailed exam
Common Issues:
- •Mites and lice check vent area regularly
- •Bumblefoot check feet for swelling
- •Egg binding warm bath treatment
- •Respiratory issues watch for wheezing
Product
Eggs
Yield
250-300 eggs per year for laying breeds
Seasonal Care
🌱 spring
- • Deep clean coop
- • Check for mites after winter
- • Introduce new chicks (quarantine 30 days)
☀️ summer
- • Ensure shade and cool water
- • Freeze treats for heat relief
- • Watch for heat stress (panting)
🍂 fall
- • Expect molting increase protein
- • Prepare coop for winter
- • Stock up on feed
❄️ winter
- • Prevent water from freezing
- • Apply petroleum jelly to combs for frostbite prevention
- • Reduce draft but maintain ventilation
🚨 Emergency Tips
- •Prolapse: Clean and push back gently, isolate bird
- •Egg bound: Warm bath, calcium, gentle massage
- •Crop impaction: Massage crop, give olive oil
- •Predator attack: Clean wounds, apply antibiotic ointment