Breeding Tips - Chicken Keeping

A proper coop is the foundation

Infrastructure and Safety

A well-designed coop is the foundation of successful chicken keeping. This place must be not only a shelter but primarily a safe and comfortable home.

Adequate space - minimum 0.5 m² inside per chicken and 2-3 m² of run area.
Roosts - height 60-90 cm, width 4-5 cm (preferably rounded), 25 cm of length per chicken.
Nests - one nest (30x30 cm) for every 4-5 chickens, lined with clean straw.

Ventilation - crucial for removing ammonia, but without drafts directly on the birds.
Protection - mesh with holes < 1.5cm, buried in the ground against foxes and martens.
Hygiene - bedding should be dry. Regular cleaning prevents parasites.

"A well-designed coop reduces the risk of disease and directly translates to better egg production for your flock. "

Balanced nutrition

Energy, Protein, and Minerals

What a chicken eats determines the quality of the egg and its longevity. Feed should be varied and adapted to the season.

Diet basics

Complete feed (mix) is the base. In winter, give more corn for energy; in summer, more lighter grains.

Water

Always fresh and clean. A chicken drinks up to 0.5l of water daily, especially in the heat. Change it at least once a day.

Calcium and Grit

Feed chalk, shells, or mussels must not be missing – it's the building block of the shell. Grit helps in grinding the feed in the crop.

Additives

Herbs (nettle, yarrow), vegetables (carrots, beets), and fruits are natural vitamin bombs.

Ważne Remember not to give chickens moldy food or salty leftovers from dinner – salt is toxic to them!

Prevention and Health

Prevention is the best treatment

Breeder's golden rule: Daily observation. Spend 5 minutes morning and evening checking how your birds move.

What to look for?

Apathy and lethargy (chicken standing in a corner with drooped wings)
Change in comb color (should be bright red)
Strange noises when breathing (rattling/wheezing)
Feather condition and cleanliness around the vent

Biosecurity Rules

Limit entry of strangers into the coop.
Use quarantine for new birds (min. 14 days).
Regularly deworm the flock.
Control rodents, which carry many diseases.