Are you a fresh chook parent? Congratulations! Here at Capalaba Produce we love those clucking, feathered members of your family, and we’re sure you will too!

Owning chooks can be a rewarding experience, whether you’re in it for fresh eggs, companionship or the joy of raising an animal. That being said, getting chooks for the first time can come with a lot of questions, and there’s lots to learn. Don’t worry, we here at Capalaba Produce are here to give you some tips to get your chooks starting life on the right foot!

It sounds like a basic place to start, but a well-balanced diet is essential for the health and wellbeing of your chooks. Investing into a good chicken feed is essential, a lot of chicken owners skimp on this and relying on a grain mix instead. When using a grain mix, your chooks are likely to just eat what they want and leave the rest. This not only attracts rats, but your chooks will not have a balanced diet.

At Capalaba Produce we recommend using Farmbies as a grain ration or Blue Peck n Lay as for a pellet option. Not only do the chooks love it but it is full of the proteins, vitamins, and minerals they need to live a healthy life. Chickens are also great at cleaning up the kitchen scraps! Fruits, veggies, and grains are great for your chooks. Just making sure they’re free of any toxins and mold please note, that this should only make up around 10% of their diet though.

We all enjoy a sneaky treat every now and then, your chooks are no different! Mealworms, sunflower seeds, and greens can be offered as a treat for your chooks every now and then!

Just like everything else in the world, your chooks need access to clean, fresh water at all times. Especially in the summer heat, without access to fresh water, your chooks can quickly become dehydrated which can lead to many health issues. Fresh water also helps your chooks regulate their body temperature, keeping them nice and cool during those hot Brisbane days. In short, make sure your chooks always have access to clean and fresh water.

Fun fact, chickens have been known to sleep in trees, this was to protect them from being a potential dinner. The best place for your chooks to roost, is in their chicken coop. It provides a sense of safety, being protected from the scary things that go bang in the night. Your chooks will naturally want to be roosting up high. Make sure the roosting bars are higher than their nesting boxes and the bars are wide enough to comfortably grip with their feet. Following these tips will provide a cozy and safe spot for your chooks within their coop, helping them feel at ease and therefore living a better life!

out for any abnormalities or cracks, if you do find anything, we would recommend discarding these eggs. Don’t wash your eggs! It almost feels counter intuitive, but eggs are covered in a protecting called bloom. If you wash your eggs, this gets rid of this protecting coating, making them more likely to spoiling. If an egg has a bit of chicken poo on it, simply wipe it off with a dry paper towel.

No one likes a dirty home, your chooks are the same. It’s important to regularly clean out their coop. Getting ready of spilled feed and scraps that can attract rats and other vermin. Simply move your chooks to a safe place and use a rake or shovel to remove old bedding, droppings, and food. Make sure to pay attention to the corners of the coop where dirty can easily build up. Once the floor is clean, give the coop a good scrub with some warm water and poultry safe disinfectant. Rinse the coop and let it dry before adding in some fresh bedding and bringing your chooks back. When cleaning your coop, make sure to wear a mask and practice good hygiene by washing your hands thoroughly afterwards. Coops get full of dust very quickly and important to protect your lungs. We recommend wetting the coop down before you start cleaning. It not only makes it easier to clean but is easier to break down in the compost pile.

There we are, five tips for all your first-time chook parents! If you have any questions about chooks and how to give them the best life. Be sure to come down to Capalaba Produce where we have not only the best advice, but everything your chook needs! Finally, happy hen parenting!

From Nic and the team at Capalaba Produce