Poultry Care Guide

Prepare Before Your Birds Arrive

Before bringing poultry home, have their housing and supplies ready. Your poultry area should provide:

• Clean and safe housing
• Fresh drinking water
• Appropriate feed
• Protection from predators
• Adequate ventilation
• Dry bedding
• Suitable temperature
• Enough space for the number of birds you are raising

Young chicks and other newly hatched poultry have different environmental requirements than mature birds, so their housing should be prepared according to their age and species.

Chick Care

Baby chicks require a safe brooder with appropriate temperature control, clean bedding, fresh water, and chick-appropriate feed.

Monitor your chicks frequently during the first days after arrival. Their behavior can provide useful clues about whether the brooder environment is comfortable. Chicks that are consistently crowding together may be cold, while chicks that are avoiding the heat source and panting may be too warm.

As chicks grow, their housing and temperature requirements change. Keep the brooder clean and dry, maintain convenient access to food and water, and make adjustments based on the birds' age, species, condition, and behavior.

Bantam Chicken Care

Bantams are smaller chickens that can require consideration of their size when choosing feeders, waterers, housing, perches, and fencing.

Provide bantams with clean water, appropriate poultry feed, dry shelter, protection from predators, and enough space to move comfortably.

Because bantam breeds vary considerably in temperament, size, feathering, and environmental needs, research the particular breed you are raising.

Waterfowl Care

Ducks and geese require appropriate housing, clean drinking water, suitable nutrition, and protection from predators and extreme weather.

Waterfowl can produce considerably more moisture and waste than chickens, making clean and dry housing especially important. Good drainage and routine bedding maintenance can help prevent excessively wet living areas.

If you provide swimming or bathing water, ensure that birds can safely enter and exit the water and that the area can be maintained hygienically.

Game Bird Care

Different game bird species can have very different housing, feeding, temperature, and space requirements.

Quail, pheasants, guinea fowl, and other game birds should be raised according to the needs of their particular species and age.

Before purchasing game birds, prepare the appropriate enclosure and learn about the species you intend to raise, including its mature size, escape risks, social behavior, nutrition, and local requirements.

Poultry Feeding & Water

Feed should be appropriate for the bird's species and stage of development. Young poultry generally require feeds formulated for growing birds, while mature poultry may have different nutritional requirements.

Always provide clean drinking water. Water availability is particularly important during periods of hot weather. USDA poultry biosecurity guidance also emphasizes protecting feed and water from contamination by wild birds and rodents.

Avoid sudden changes in feed whenever possible and follow appropriate feeding recommendations for the species you are raising.

Poultry Housing

Good poultry housing protects birds from predators, excessive weather, and unsafe conditions while providing sufficient ventilation and space.

The enclosure should be kept clean and dry. Regularly inspect fencing, doors, roofing, wire, perches, and other barriers for damage that could allow predators to enter, birds to escape, or poultry to become injured.

Housing should also allow birds convenient access to clean food and water and enough room for normal movement and species-appropriate behavior.

Biosecurity and Poultry Health

Biosecurity is an important part of responsible poultry ownership. USDA describes biosecurity as practices used to keep disease-causing organisms away from birds, property, and people and to reduce disease spread between flocks.

Avoid unnecessary contact between your birds and unknown poultry or wild birds. Keep visitors to poultry areas limited, protect feed and water from wildlife and rodents, and clean equipment, footwear, and poultry areas regularly. New or returning birds may require separation from an established flock according to an appropriate flock-health plan.

Watch your birds every day for changes in behavior, appetite, drinking, droppings, appearance, breathing, egg production, or activity. If you notice signs of illness, unexpected deaths, or a serious flock-health concern, contact a qualified poultry veterinarian, state animal-health official, or appropriate animal-health professional promptly.

Caring for Newly Arrived Poultry

When your poultry arrives, give the birds access to clean water and appropriate feed and place them into a prepared environment.

Minimize unnecessary handling during the initial adjustment period. Observe the birds regularly and make sure they are eating, drinking, and settling into their new environment.

If you ordered shipped poultry, review the Country Hatchery Shipping Information page before arrival so your housing and supplies are ready.

Responsible Poultry Ownership

Raising poultry is rewarding, but every species has specific requirements. Before purchasing poultry, make sure you understand the care, housing, feeding, space, biosecurity, and legal requirements associated with the birds you plan to raise.

Country Hatchery, Inc. encourages customers to prepare before ordering and to seek professional veterinary assistance when health concerns arise.