While these serve as guidelines for hen care, there are many sources of information available both on-line and in books.
Shelter
•Hens require access to a waterproof, predator-proof, ventilated shelter during the day and night. •There should be one nest box for every four hens, and perches available for all. •Soft bedding, such as straw is needed both in nest boxes* and the floor.*Ex-battery hens sometimes prefer to lay eggs on the ground in corners of the coop.
Winters in Canada are harsh and it is important to keep drafts off the birds. Putting plastic over windows, and bales of straw (or feed sacks full of straw) around door ways or walls where drafts get in will help keep hens healthy during the long winter months.
Outdoors
It is important that hens be allowed to seek shelter when they wish but also have access to the outdoors. Hens must have some shade during hot weather. Many people allow hens to free-range on their property.
Keep predators in mind if you allow your hens to run at large; even a neighbourhood dog could attack them. If you choose to fence off an outdoor area for hens to run, use tightly woven fencing, or cattle fencing with chicken wire attached to bottom. Chicken wire alone will not keep predators out.
Nutrition
Most ex-battery hens view lay mash as a comfort food (available at TSC or your local feed store) and will eat a great deal of it. Mixing in corn, oats and sunflower seeds (the Vitamin C helps eggshell formation) is ideal.
Hens also need grit to digest food. Pulverized limestone is available from feed stores as well place a tray in their coop or sprinkle on food helps both with digestion and shell formation.
Hens also love fruits, vegetables and other scraps from the kitchen; however never give a hen spoiled food. In the garden they will also scratch for grass, insects and worms plus leave you great fertilizer along the way.
Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. This can be challenging during cold Canadian winters. Water can freeze quickly and leave hens thirsty. A heated water fountain is a wise investment.
Health
Hens require dust-baths to keep mites at bay. They will normally make a sandy spot in the yard in which to roll. Monitor hens for lice and mites, especially in warm weather. There are powders available to treat infestations.
Chickens typically molt annually in the spring or fall, when they lose much of their feathers and gain new ones. This may last several weeks. However, feather loss may also be a sign of illness and if you have a concern, consult your veterinarian.
