My husband just got given 5 chickens as a birthday present and we need tips on keeping chickens (especially in Switzerland). As a child we had chickens, but that was in South Africa, and we really need advise on keeping them here. We live at 800m so snow is a given in winter. Do they need to be brought inside in winter (they have a little house on legs at the moment) We got some chicken feed from Landi but it looks like fine sand, I seem to remember it being dry ground corn. The poor things seem to be traumatised by the move and are huddled together in the hen house, is this normal? Any advise would be gratefully accepted.

Are you sure that the grit you bought is chicken feed? Have you chewed & tasted it? Chickens will eat almost everything, but they don't like grass cuttings for some reason, however they love scythed grass.

Yes they need to be kept warm in winter, you can buy a red heating lamp. The cockerel has to be kept inside until 7 am so as not to wake the neighbours. Sometimes chickens become cannibals: you can buy a spray from a pharmacy which discourages pigs and chickens from eating each other.

we have always had chickens at me rents house in belgium. They always had a fighting cock with them (saved from fights by a shelter...so they were protected)

Nothing much to it. they just roam around and lay their eggs and we feed them leftovers plus the dried grain.....I find em brilliant when the dog gets into the coupe and they are having none of it haha

What kind of leftovers did you feed them?

And no, I'm not sure it's chickenfeed but it's from Landi and it's a huge bag that says something about hühnerfutter on it so I imagine that's what they feed chickens here

anything and everything. they have been alive for the longest time (still today) ad they were the chickens you get from the shelter that were completely lifeless....now they are beautiful. what they dont like they just leave and turns into compost. their coupe is pretty big though (25m by 2 m or so....

their eggs are the best

We plan on getting some in a couple of year's time, when we will have more land, so this is a good thread for me!

Anyone known of any regulations re permits/regulations (this is CH after all)?

We've also been told that you should factor in 1msq per chicken - enough or more needed?

TIA

we keep 12,000 back at home - unfortunately the family business didn't interest me enough to give you much advice

But I do know they go out every day in all weather if they choose to

Yes, there are rules and regulations which were updated a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly, if you keep more than 3 livestock (cows, pigs, chickens, etc) then you must pass a test to show that you understand how to look after them properly. Of course, if it's 3 or less then you don't have to and could probably be treating them very badly, but that's regulations for you.

You can probably find out more from the national Swiss Veterinarian office or, if there's a vet you use for any other animals, then he/she may also be able to tell you.

You could buy a book about keeping chickens from Amazon, some cost less than SFr 1,oo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...sprefix=chicke

Ask your local veterinary s/he should know all about it.

Why did he get all these chickens? What's the story?
I mean you don't get 5 chickens just like that no?

I started keeping chickens acouple of years ago while back in the UK, I bought a coop from Eglu, and got alot of information off their website, also the charity I got them through the BHWT (British Hen Welfare Trust) has tons of info and Q&A's.

Obviously its for the uk but with regards the general keeping of chickens every thing you need to know will be on them.

http://www.bhwt.org.uk/cms/caring-for-hens-faqs/

http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Chickens

I have always kept chickens and they really are the most incredible pets to have.
Regarding food, if you can, try to get the swiss version of layers pellets - these are ideal as with a lot of grainy feed some always get left and does encourage vermin. Withe the pellets all is eaten.

My girls loved it when I boiled potato skins up and let them cool...
There is nothing better than cuddling a soft chicken. Enjoy your new family!

I wrote 'Cluckingham Palace' on the side of my parents chicken coup, and years later I read that Winston Churchill wrote 'Chickenham Palace' on the side of his chicken coup.

Great minds think alike.

They're possibly not traumatized too much by the move, but more by Mr. Fox lurking around the corner.

Yes, watch out for the foxes - they have enjoyed a few chickens from one of our neighbours coops.

our fighting cock took care of him (it might have been a marter though) now we put electricity all around the coup. no issues since. except the new dog climbs the fence like if he were human. so had to add another wire.

(This is the electricity with like 6 V so no cruelty)

cooked vegetables mostly, bread leftovers (but not old or mouldy bread), lettuce and cucumber leftovers and similar.

My parents chickens love potatoes, sweet corn and pears. I know my dad buys all their normal feed from the local Landi (corn and layers mash), so whatever you get from there will be fine. Don't forget to grind up egg shells and add it to their feed every so often.

Cuddling a chicken is definitely one of lifes little pleasures

Yes, a certain amount of moping after a move is normal. As long as they are still eating and drinking, don't worry about it. They'll settle in in a few days.

Did the coop come with the chickens? If not, keep them shut in it and don't let them out for at least three days - they need to learn where "home" is so that they find their way back to it when they do go out.

How old are they - I'm assuming full grown? Hens, roosters or some of each?

They need water. A plastic bucket is OK, try to get one that's about chicken-head-height. Won't hurt them if they have to stretch a little to get a drink, and the taller and heavier it is the less likely they are to knock it over or scratch food and straw into it. The water should be changed every day. In winter you'll need to go down first thing in the morning and break the ice off it, top it up with hot water. I also used to feed them a hot breakfast on winter mornings (just their regular food with a bit of hot water poured over it, like a sort of chicken porridge - they go nuts for it.)

Food - I second the recommendation to get some more pellety stuff if you can. Don't know what's available here though. They also need some grit (e.g. ground oyster shells) or small stones like you'd put in an aquarium. You can just scatter a couple handfuls of this around their yard, they'll find it and pick it up as they need it.

They will eat all sorts of kitchen scraps - well, almost all sorts. Mine hated bananas. They'd take an experimental peck and immediately start wiping their beaks on the side of my shoe(!) trying to get rid of the nasty stuff. But potato peelings, onion tops and tails, anything like that... also meat scraps. And they will love stale bread. Feed it to them by hand and you've got a friend for life.

If you have hens they need a place to lay their eggs. A good nesting box should be big enough for the hen to turn around in but not much larger. It should be up off the floor (maybe a foot off the floor) and open in front, closed on top, back and sides. Put some straw or wood chips in it, which they can then arrange to their satisfaction. One nesting box is enough for four or five hens. They'll probably find it and start using it on their own, but if you do keep finding eggs in odd places, pick them up and put them in the nesting box. This time of year, an extra day or two won't hurt them (eggs will keep at room temperature for several weeks) and the hens will start laying there once they see other eggs there.

Oh, and they need to be shut in at night - summer and winter - to keep them safe from foxes, neighborhood cats, etc. They'll go in by themselves around dusk, you just need to count heads and shut the door. If one or two are hanging around outside you can gently chivvy them in.

I'm so jealous. Have fun!

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