We have been keepers of eight Rhode Island Red hens for some time.

New Hens arriving:

After ordering our hens we had to wait a few weeks before we could collect them.  During this time we ordered our henhouse and prepared the area for when they were to be collected.

We collected them when they were 16 weeks old just at point of lay.

When we collected them we were told 'keep them in their hen house for about a week' so they get to learn that is 'HOME'.

Of course we wanted them to free-range as soon as we got them home, but they did not even want to leave the crate we had collected them in.  They were very frightened.

After putting them into the henhouse they all cowered in the corner under their laying bench and just stayed there for a few hours.

Going Free Range and Flying

After a week they eventually wandered out and now get very cross if we are late letting them out (Sundays especially).  We are going to put an automatic opening door onto our henhouse as soon as we get time.

We were not told that their wings had not been clipped , when we bought them, but found out after they were, able to fly over a 6' fence into a neighbours garden.  Luckly our neighbour liked chickens and used to keep them herself.

Chicken Wing Clipping

We found out that in order to keep them within your garden you need to clip just one wing on each bird. 

Be careful though - only clip the primary feathers.  Do not clip down too far as you will hit blood vessels which can lead the the chicken bleeding to death.  Seek advice from a VET or professional if in doubt. 

Our chickens wings were successfully clipped they and now no longer escape. 

Feeding, Watering and Worming Chickens

Feed we use is a mixture of corn and pellets.  The chickens prefer the corn but it does reduce on the amount of eggs they lay if they are completely corn fed.  A good idea is to do corn once or twice a week and the rest of the time pellets.

We keep their pellets and corn in the hen house to stop other birds and pigeons pinching their food.  The girls nip in and out of the henhouse at their leisure but no food is then wasted.

Feeding Continued..

We use a dog bowl for their food as shown below (Picture to follow shortly).  We also keep out a plastic tray to catch rainwater which they much prefer to tap water.  They have tap water mostly but will always go for rainwater whenever available.

We have also successfully wormed our hens naturally without chemicals.  We feed them chopped up fresh garlic with their food once a month.  You will need to prepare one whole garlic clove per bird.  They do not taste the garlic but will eat it with their meal.  You can then continue to eat their eggs throughout this process.

I tend to chop up the garlic with something they really enjoy eating - such as a tin or two of sweetcorn.  Before you know it its all been eaten and worming for another month is done - hassel free and with virtually no cost.

Going Off Lay

Our girls will go off lay soon - October time, moult and then the chicken wings will need to be clipped again. 

During the Winter

It is important to keep your girls dry and warm during the long cold winter nights. 

The girls will themselves cuddle up for warmth but a timber henhouse will also help.  The timber warms up during the day and then slowly releases the heat overnight.  Ensure plently of food and water (make sure the water does not freeze) they will need as much water in the winter as in the summer months.  All will be well until the spring.

Going to Bed

The girls go to bed on their own as soon as it starts to get dark, they will perch on the highest area of the henhouse, wether it be a perch or ledge. 

Their instinct is to get as high as possible.  They will squash up to keep warm and fight over the highest point.

Pecking order and getting more hens

You will find that one of the girls will be 'in charge'.  

If you do introduce new birds to the ones you already have it is best to do it after dark so they wake up together. 

The hen 'in charge' may get aggressive toward the new hens but this should settle after a day or so.