Spring chicken keeping guide 

Spring is in the air, and for chicken keepers this marks one of the most exciting times of the year. After the quieter winter months, spring brings longer days, warmer weather, and an abundance of fresh growth. In this spring chicken keeping guide, we’ll cover why this season is perfect for new beginnings, how to mitigate some of its challenges, and how to use this time to prepare for the rest of the year. 

Spring for chicken keepers 

Spring is a season of renewal. The extra daylight hours stimulate your chickens’ natural rhythms, encouraging them to lay more eggs, spend more time foraging, and be more active. For keepers, it’s a chance to reset after winter: refreshing chicken coops and runs, checking for wear and tear, and getting ready for the warmer weather ahead. Here’s what you can look forward to during the spring with your flock. 

More eggs 

If your egg basket was a little on the lean side during the winter, you’re not alone. Chickens naturally slow down egg production as the days grow shorter. This is because the egg laying process starts with the amount of light entering a hen’s eye. In spring, as the days grow longer, your chickens will respond by ramping up their egg production again. Add in the nutritional boost from fresh vegetation and insects found while foraging, and you’ll soon see peak egg-laying performance from your flock. 

Adding more chickens 

Thinking of adding to your flock? Spring is the perfect time to do it. Warmer temperatures make raising chicks easier and their transition to the coop smoother, and more natural food sources give abundance and enrichment to make adding adult hens less stressful. For these reasons, most chicken keepers add to their flock during the spring, which means the selection of chicken breeds will be at its greatest among hatcheries, stores, and local breeders. 

Spring cleaning 

Just like spring cleaning your home, your chickens’ coop will benefit from a thorough cleaning after hunkering down all winter. Deep-clean your coop, refresh the bedding and nesting material, and scrub chicken feeders and waterers to remove buildup and to start the season fresh. Spring is also the perfect time to upgrade your setup with a bigger chicken coop, Walk In Chicken Run, or chicken toys and accessories before the heat of summer rolls in. Adding chicken perches and other enrichment items will help your hens regain their strength after a season of stillness. 

What to watch out for 

Along with the pros come the cons of warmer weather. After a dormant season, parasites and predators will be out in full force. Here’s to how to mitigate the risks so you and your flock can have a stress-free spring. 

Mites and parasites 

Water weather invites mites, lice, and other pests that wreak havoc on your chickens. Upgrading to a plastic chicken coop is the best way to manage mites, as they live in the crevices of wooden coops. Lice can be transmitted from wild birds, so perform chicken health checks routinely to look for any evidence of lice or nits (their eggs). Watch for signs of parasites in your flock like itchiness, feather loss, or pale combs, which could point to parasite infestations. Keep bedding clean, and keep chicken dust bathing areas dry and accessible for optimal health. 

Note: if you suspect intestinal parasites in your chickens, contact your veterinarian or take in a stool sample for treatment options. 

Chicken predators 

Chicken predators will be on the prowl, hungry from a lean winter. And, rodents will be emerging more frequently, drawn to dropped or leftover chicken feed in the run, which further entices predators to come lurking. Check for any gaps or install anti-dig skirting around your hens’ home, and remove any leftover feed at the end of the day to store in an airtight container. 

New plants 

Spring is also a great time for gardens, but can also pose a problem for your flock. Avoid planting anything toxic to chickens, and create chicken-proof zones around anything you don’t want your chickens to ingest. Chicken fencing can be used to keep your chickens away from prized plants, while also reaping the benefits of chicken pest control in the garden. 

Other spring hen-house keeping items 

If you’ve already spruced up your setup with Omlet, there are some spring hen house keeping items to check in the spring. For Omlet setups, remember to: 

• Change the batteries in the Autodoor (if not connected to mains) and update opening and closing schedules or settings as needed to account for the longer days. 
• Swap run covers from clear to solid to provide shade heading into the warmer weather. 
• Check run clips and anti-dig skirting for any shifting that may have occurred during the winter. 

Omlet and your flock 

Spring is the perfect time to upgrade to Omlet chicken products. We’ve designed chicken coops , chicken runs and chicken toys and accessories that make flock raising easier and more rewarding than ever. See why thousands of chicken keepers across the globe entrust Omlet with their flock’s safety and comfort. 

This entry was posted in Chickens