hugyourchicken

Daily Routines

 

Chickens daily routines include a number of stages- most of which wouldn’t be possible unless they’re free range! Waking up early due to their high light perception whereby they see sun light 45mins before humans. First breakfast, scratch around, nesting box (laying egg), back downstairs to be mounted by the cockerel and then a second breakfast and lots of water. This will normally be followed by foraging around the garden after getting bored of the pellets. To make the day more interesting sometimes I hide corn around the garden for them, this has advantages: the first one is so they do not become fuss pots and only pick the corn out of the pellets (because pellets contain the goodness), and the second is keeping your hens occupied decreases problems like hen pecking or egg eating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then depending on the weather either sheltering or enjoying a dust bath. A dust bath is for them to clean all the natural oils out of their feathers a bit like a shampoo. After this they will shake and then prune their feathers (a bit like brushing your hair); Pruning allows them to a line there feathers and make sure they're looking beautiful! After this it’s probably lunch time. Chickens should continuously snack throughout the day- it’s understandable that having just one big meal once a day or being underfeed will cause serious problems with there delicate routine: the most major is a hen becoming egg bound or constipated. In the afternoon they may forage some more, scratch around in the veggie patch, have a cuddle or even a nice siesta. Another little meal as the temperature drops and then the last just before bed as the light goes. I find my older hens go to bed an hour before chickens due to their age and then lastly followed by the cockerel.