Chickens For Sale Sydney

Chicken Care Sheet.

Fast Facts:

How long will my Chicken live? They can live 3-8 years.

How big will it grow? 2-3kg.

What size enclosure is recommended for my Chicken? A chicken coop that's at least 190cm long x 76cm wide x 127cm high.

What does a Chicken eat? Layer pellets and vegetables.

Chicken Housing:

Chickens, such as Isa Browns, are generally a relatively low-maintenance pet. The major challenge is protecting them from predators such as dogs and foxes.

Chickens are the perfect animal for the backyard. They convert food scraps into eggs, clean up weeds and fallen fruit, and provide a great source of manure for the garden. Chickens can be housed well in either a chicken coop or a bird aviary, depending on how many chickens you have.

The enclosure should be at least 190cm long x 76cm wide x 127cm high and should have both a run area and an area protected from the sun and rain. Laying hens will need nesting boxes for laying eggs, and roosting perches should also be available for nighttime use.

Chicken Care:

Chick starter crumble is a complete diet for the first few weeks of a chicken's life, after which you can start to introduce some fresh greens into their diet. Chopped spinach and similar greens are quite suitable, and by 6 weeks of age, they will enjoy boiled vegetable scraps. At this age, they can be converted to layer pellets or a scratch mix.

For chickens to lay effectively, they need to be well-fed. They should have access to layer pellets throughout the day, preferably in a hanging feeder to keep it clean and out of reach of rats and mice, as well as daily vegetable scraps and grit. If layer mash is being used, soaking it overnight before feeding makes it easier to digest, allowing more nutrients to be readily absorbed.

Fresh water needs to be available at all times and should be provided in a hanging water dispenser off the ground to keep it clean and hygienic.

Chickens and their coop should be sprayed with chicken-safe insecticide every six weeks to kill and prevent mite and lice infestations. Worming with a broad-spectrum wormer needs to be carried out every three months.

Chicken Feeding:

Chickens are animals that love to roam around and forage. When possible, they should be allowed to roam the garden throughout the day; however, it is essential to remember to lock them back in their coop each night before dark. The skill of chicken keeping is to make them work for you, not against you. As they can be pretty destructive, you should take careful consideration before letting them loose among your favourite plants. If your backyard has low fencing, it may be an option to trim their wings.

For their foraging time outside the coop, it's a good idea to sprinkle a scratch mix or other grain feed around the lawn, allowing your chickens to scratch and forage throughout the day.

Chickens naturally love having dust baths, where they will flap, roll and sit in a particularly dusty patch to spread the dust throughout their feathers. This is their natural way of ridding themselves of lice and other bugs, so it is important for their well-being. If there are no dusty patches within your yard, try providing your chickens with a large clay planter dish filled with fine dirt and sand instead.

General Information:

Did You Know?

Isa Browns are a crossbreed between a Rhode Island Red and a White Leghorn, specifically bred for their docile nature toward people and prolific egg-laying capacity. During their laying years, Isa Browns will produce an average of 300+ eggs per year!

We have created a Shopping list to show what you need to look after a Chicken:

• Layer pellets
• Chicken coop or aviary
• Shell grit
• Calcivet
• Avicare disinfectant
• Wood shavings bale
• Worming tablets
• Wood shavings bale
• Pestene powder
• Grain
• Hanging feeders
• Piperazine wormer
• Coopex
• Hanging waterers
• Multivet
• Scratch mix
• Mealworms
• Perches

Common health issues in chickens:

Respiratory Infections: These are usually caused by bacteria infecting the respiratory system of birds due to vitamin A deficiency; however, they can also be caused by many other factors, such as fungi, parasites, and environmental toxins.

Worms: These parasites live in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry and can cause malnutrition or intestinal obstructions, and if left untreated, can be fatal.

Lice & Mites: External parasites that tend to feed on blood and feathers. Infestations can cause anaemia, a drop in egg production and reduced fertility. Without treatment, serious infestations can lead to death.

Red flags:

Is your Chicken showing any of the signs of disease or illness? If yes, please contact your vet.

• Nasal discharge.
• Weeping eyes.
• Drooped tail.
• Lethargy.
• Diarrhoea.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Q. Are your poultry pure breeds?

A. Only our Isa Brown laying hens are pure breeds, and all our other Chickens are cross-breeds. Generally speaking, breeds are bred specifically for egg laying, making them better egg layers (Isa Browns are a notable exception to this rule). Pure breeds are usually bred more for aesthetics and competing at shows, and are not usually prolific egg layers.

Q. Do you retire old chooks? Or know anyone who does?

A. The Enfield store can accommodate 1 to 3 chooks at a time, which they can re-home, but it's best to call them on 02 97475713 to confirm if it's possible.

Q. Do you sell fertilised chicken eggs?

A. Our Enfield store sells fertilised eggs occasionally, but it's best to call the store on 02 97475713 in advance before arriving. The store typically requires a few days' notice to obtain.