How to care for chickens from a chicken whisperer

Millie Ross visited chicken expert Jessamy Miller, who grow up on a chicken farm, to discuss how to look after chickens. Jessamy thinks chickens are good for your mental health, well-being and the garden – as she says, ‘Who wouldn’t love a pet that makes your breakfast!’

Jessamy has an average sized suburban garden in Northcote and keeps the chickens in her backyard, where fruit trees, a vegie patch and lawn provide the perfect place for them. Her rules for creating the perfect coop are:

Each chicken should have approximately 0.5m of space.
Fox- and predator-proof your coop and run, making sure there is a secure roof and floor with a solid lip to deter digging foxes
Put in cross ventilation to keep the coop aired
Put the nesting box down low in a sheltered, dark place where they can lay their eggs
Give them environmental enrichment to stop them from getting bored, for example a xylophone smeared with yogurt or a hanging feeder
Feed them a balanced meal everyday – micro pellets are perfect – and add some scratch grains and greens
Clean out any old straw and greens regularly to keep your coop clean; add it to your compost or use it as mulch
To protect your delicate plants and seedlings, put up small barriers; Jessamy uses a wire waste-paper basket turned upside-down.

Make sure to check your local council regulations before considering chooks for your backyard.

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