Raising happy, healthy chickens
Healthy chickens come from systems, not luck.
Routine checks, good housing, clean water, parasite control, and enough space. This page turns “I hope they’re fine” into a simple routine you can actually stick to.
Rule: if you notice problems early, you have options. If you notice late, you have heartbreak.
Daily routine
Parasites
Flock dynamics
Enrichment
Daily: the 3-minute check
- Behaviour: are they alert, moving normally, social?
- Appetite & water: is everyone eating and drinking?
- Droppings: are they roughly normal for your flock?
- Feet/legs: any limping or reluctance to perch?
Red flag: sitting fluffed up, isolating, not eating — act the same day.
Weekly: reset the environment
- Clean coop: remove wet bedding, refresh, wipe droppings boards.
- Water gear scrub: slime build-up is a problem.
- Quick parasite scan: look under wings/vent, check for irritated skin.
- Run management: rake and refresh high-traffic areas, add dry material. Mud control →
If you can’t maintain this weekly rhythm, scale down your flock or improve your setup.
Parasites (mites, lice, worms) — the UK reality
Red mite
Often lives in cracks, not on birds. Prevention is design + routine. Read the red mite guide →
Lice
Live on birds. You’ll see eggs (“nits”) near feather shafts. Treat bird and environment as needed.
Worms
Risk rises with damp runs, high stocking density, and poor hygiene. Don’t randomly medicate without a plan.
Not veterinary advice: parasite treatment depends on diagnosis and local product guidance. If birds are unwell, involve a poultry-competent vet.
The real prevention: dry runs, rotation, clean water, and not overcrowding.
Parasites love stressed birds in damp, cramped conditions.
Flock dynamics (pecking order, bullying)
Most aggression is a space and boredom problem.
- Space: more run space reduces pecking dramatically. Run size guide →
- Multiple feeding points: stop one bird controlling the food.
- Visual breaks: add panels/perches so birds can get away.
- Slow introductions: new birds need quarantine and staged integration.
If you’re constantly managing fights, your run is too small or too empty.
Enrichment (cheap, effective)
- Dust bath area kept dry (sand/soil mix, sheltered).
- Perches and platforms (low and stable).
- Scatter feed into litter to encourage natural foraging.
- Hang leafy greens or a cabbage to peck.
- Rotate run access areas if you can.
Truth: enrichment is not “spoiling” — it’s behaviour management.
