Vale of York Poultry
Basic Information on keeping hens
If you're mixing your new pullets with hens you already have - don't put them in together until after dark or they will fight.
Keep your new birds in their housing for the first day.
Keep them in their run for 4 days before you let them out so that they know where home is and will return each night rather than straying.
Keep food inside the shed where wild birds cannot defecate on it.
Keep food covered or locked away at night to avoid attracting rats.
Never scatter food loose on the ground, it may look lovely but they never clear it completely and it will attract rats.
Try & keep the water where flying wild birds cannot defecate into it, to avoid potential disease and worms in your hens.
If you’re putting a bantam or Silky in with other bigger birds, then create a partition (or similar) with a gap that only the smaller bird can get through, this will give them a safe space away from potential bullying by the other hens.
Hens can be a wonderful addition to your life. They are entertaining, interesting and of course provide wonderful fresh eggs for much of the year.
While the birds are easy to keep, they do require care and attention. Fresh water is essential at all times as is food. Keeping any livestock is a year round commitment and if you are going to be away then you must make arrangements for another responsible person to feed, water and check over the animals.
You do not need a cockerel to get eggs out of a hen, they lay eggs regardless.
The colour of the hen does not affect the colour of the egg.
Hens may lay fewer eggs in the winter months or may even stop laying altogether. This is perfectly natural.
You do not need a licence to keep hens unless you have more than 50. However the title deeds of your house may prohibit keeping them.
Don’t start keeping hens thinking you will save money or make money. Do it for the pleasure of seeing your hens happy and thriving and eating fresher eggs and tastier chicken than you’ll get anywhere else.