To maintain the health and welfare of your chickens, ensure they have a secure and weatherproof living space, access to clean water and nutritious food, and regular health monitoring. Below are key practices you should follow:
| Practice | Details |
|---|---|
| Housing | Provide a safe and weatherproof chicken house that is light-proof and secure. Shut in chickens at night and let them out in the morning. |
| Food & Water | Ensure continuous access to cool, clean water and a nutritious diet that meets their needs. |
| Health Monitoring | Regularly check for signs of distress, pain, injury, or disease. Arrange for daily care if you're away from home. |
| Pest Control | Store all food in rat-proof containers and quickly deal with any signs of vermin. |
| Disease Prevention | Practice good hygiene, washing hands after handling chickens and their equipment. Ensure your coop can accommodate all birds if there's a disease outbreak. |
Keep in mind that local regulations require you not to cause noise or nuisance to neighbors, so it's important to be considerate of your living situation. For more detailed guidance on keeping poultry, you can check West Lothian's Poultry Keeping page.