Husbandry

A Day in the Life of a Chicken Keeper

Caring for chickens is a daily adventure in routine and surprise. Each morning, your hens expect you (their humble servant) to show up with breakfast. A typical daily routine involves letting the chickens out of the coop at dawn’s first light (to much clucking applause), checking that feed and water are plentiful, and doing a quick health scan of the flock.

A small-scale farmer tends to a hungry flock of hens. Providing constant access to fresh feed and water keeps chickens healthy and productive. Chickens eat about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of feed per day each, depending on breed and weather. Use a quality commercial feed appropriate to their life stage (starter, grower, layer, etc.), so they get balanced nutrition. They’ll also happily devour kitchen scraps and garden weeds—consider them your composters—but keep treats to no more than 10% of their diet. Too many treats (no matter how much they beg) can upset their nutritional balance. If you do toss them table scraps or scratch grains, be sure to provide grit (tiny stones) to help them grind up those goodies.

Don’t forget water:

A hen can drink around a pint a day, and even more in hot weather. Fresh, clean water is non-negotiable—a thirsty chicken is an unhappy (and non-laying) chicken. In freezing winter, you’ll need to prevent water from turning into a chicken ice rink (heated waterers or frequent refills do the trick). In summer, shade and cool water help the flock beat the heat.

Egg Collection:

Even on busy days, collecting eggs and doing a quick headcount of your feathered residents is a must. Most hens lay in the morning, so swing by the nest boxes once or twice a day to collect eggs before they become chicken soccer balls or breakfast for a sneaky hen. Prompt collection keeps eggs clean and discourages hens from going broody (sitting on eggs) if you don’t plan to hatch chicks. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a still-warm egg in your hand—it’s like finding treasure in a nest box.

Regularly Inspect:

your chickens’ living area. Chickens aren’t big on personal hygiene, so it’s on you to clean the coop bedding every week or two (or practice the deep litter method to compost bedding in place, reducing odor). This keeps smells down and harmful ammonia levels low. Clean coops also help prevent pests and disease. Speaking of which, keep an eye (and nose) out for any unusual signs: sneezing, runny droppings, limping, or feather loss. Early detection of problems is the superpower of a good chicken-keeper.

Perhaps the greatest challenge in husbandry is resisting the chickens’ relentless charm when they beg for treats. They will follow you around, cluck piteously as if they haven’t eaten in weeks, and attempt to con you out of that slice of watermelon. Stay strong—or at least hide the sugary snacks. Remember, a well-cared-for hen rewards you with healthy eggs, natural pest control, free fertilizer, and endless comic relief (ever seen a hen chase a grasshopper?). A few minutes of daily care is a fair trade for all that feathery goodness.

Final Thoughts on Husbandry

The daily care of chickens might seem like a series of small tasks, but they add up to a thriving, happy flock. By establishing a consistent routine, you not only ensure your birds are well-fed and healthy, but you also build a bond that makes every cluck and peck a joy to witness.

Resources & Further Reading:

Backyard Barnyard – Deep litter method and coop management strategies.

Hearts Content Farmhouse – Feeding and caring for backyard chickens.

Get Strong Animals – Chicken health and daily care tips.

Backyard Chickens – Comprehensive guide on chicken nutrition and coop maintenance.