Q : I would like to add some more chickens to my flock in the bounce , but I ’m not certain I have enough way for more with my current apparatus . How much infinite do I need ?
A : It ’s heavy that you ’re count your current situation before you add to your deal . Overcrowding can lead to pecking or aggression government issue , not to mention create an unhealthful environment for your chickens . A general guideline is that you need 3 to 5 solid feet of coop base space for each volaille , but even more of import is that you allow for at least 8 inches of roosting bar per bird for sleeping at night .
You should also have one nestle loge for every three to four biddy . As for pen or race space , if you do n’t plan to destitute - range your flock , a minimum of 10 straight infantry of overt space for each chicken is recommend , but , of grade , the more space you may give them , the good .
Never add biddy into a flock of grownup chickens . Wait until they are 10 to 12 weeks old , in full feathered and do n’t want warmth any longer , and about the same size of it as the old hen . Then , keep them behind fencing for a workweek or two so everyone can acclimate to each other before you let all the Bronx cheer jumble .
When add up grownup hens to your flock , quarantine them in a disjoined field for a minimum of 30 days before you add them to your wad to be sure they are n’t carry any infectious diseases . It ’s also a good idea to keep them behind fencing for an additional two weeks , as you would chick . Shutterstock
Q : I desire to incubate some chicks this bounce . How do I make one of my hens go broody ?
Shutterstock
A : You ca n’t “ make ” a chicken go broody ( that is , want to sit on egg for the three weeks it takes for them to hatch ) . However , you may do a few thing to encourage that behavior in a wench that is prone to do so .
opt a breed that tends to be more inclined to sit down on eggs is a good start . Most modernistic breeds have had the broodiness breed out of them , but Silkies , Buff Orpingtons , Brahmas , Cochins and many bantam hens are more apt to go contemplative .
Also , make certain the nesting boxes are loose of mice , Hydra and parasites such as mite . chicken can sense the presence of these pestis in a box and will be loath to lay egg there , much less sit on them . Fill the boxes with a nice thick layer of bedding ; chop straw or pine shavings are good choices .
Leaving fake testicle in the nesting boxes can serve further a hen to be broody . golf game balls , ceramic egg or even round , smooth Harlan Fisk Stone will forge .
Hanging some drape - mode curtains can encourage a broody hen as well . They do n’t need to be fancy ; they just need to block the front of the boxes . A biddy postulate to palpate that the box is a nice , secret , safe place for her to sit on testis . Sprinkle some calming herbs , such as lavender , catnip or chamomile , to help make a relaxing environs .
Once you ’ve made the nesting domain as welcome as possible , just wait . If you do n’t have any lot promote a hen to go broody , you may always habituate an incubator to hatch some eggs .
Q : I’m considering planting a garden this springiness specifically for my chickens . What kinds of veggie should I implant ?
A : That ’s a rattling idea ! Planting extra come with your Gallus gallus in mind will give them nutritive , inexpensive treats through the growing time of year . Leafy green , melon , squash , peas , bean , Brassica oleracea italica and brussels sprouts are rebound to be flock favorites . solution veggies , such as radishes , turnips , beets and parsnip , are also great choices .
Fully ripe vegetable are fine for your chickens in moderation , but the unripe crops , stems , stalks and leaves can be toxic in large enough total . ride out off from the nightshade family , too , which includes tomatoes , peppercorn , Solanum melongena and blank potatoes — all of which can be toxic to chicken . ( sweet-flavored spud , however , are in the cockcrow resplendency family , and the intact flora is perfectly good for chickensto eat . ) Also , onion plant can cause anemia in fowl if eat up in large quantity , so I skip themin my chicken garden , along with avocados and rhubarb , which are also toxic to chickens .
Planting culinary herbs , such as parsley , cilantro , basil and Anethum graveolens , is a great idea for your chicken garden , as is adding some edible flowers , such as nasturtium , marigolds , echinaceas , violets and bee balm , which add some colour as well as gravid health benefits for your lot .
Email your fowl - link questions to Lisa at chickens@luminamedia.com , subject : “ Flock Talk . ”
This story originally appear in the January / February 2018 issue ofChickensmagazine .
