Chickens

At Kuckucksmuehle we decided to get a couple of Marans chickens.

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• During the morning, put the food you collected (compost, bread, …) in the fenced area. Remove old food.
• Check the water feeders inside and outside, refill if necessary
• Check whether the chicken house floor needs to be cleaned… ie does it smell?, does it look too messy?
• Check the nest boxes for eggs. If there are eggs put them in the pantry with a note of the current date

Chickens are vulnerable animals and need protection. As we have to count with our neighbours Ms. Raccoon an Mr. Fox, we installed a coop and a fence around the chicken yard.

[Size of the coop? Always straw?]

Because chickens are more likely to be attacked during the night, the door of the coop must be closed every evening. We are currently automating this.

[minimum size ? move it from time to time?]

Chickens need a place with shadow. We also placed some old wood on the grass, as this attracts worms, which chickens love.

Chickens eat a lot of different things. There are, however, important things to know about their diet.

What you should never give to the chickens, because it might kill them:

• Dried or raw beans
• Moldy food
• Avocado skin or stone (flesh is OK in moderation)
• Green potatoes or green tomatoes
• Chocolate

What they don't like:

• Onion
• Raw potato (apparently)

What you can give:

• Eggshell (yes, nature is strange)
• Bread, rice, noodles, …

What they love:

• Worms

Chickens need water inside and outside the coop. We built a water feeder with recycled materials.