Autumn brings changes to our backyards. Cooler temperatures, shorter days, and an abundance of falling leaves transform the outdoors. Our chickens are noticing seasonal changes too. Help your chickens prepare to enjoy the fall season with these simple maintenance tips.

Pamper Molting Chickens

Strewn feathers in your chicken coop and run are a sign of molting. Loss and regrowth of feathers is a natural phenomenon that occurs annually, typically during fall. Seasonal molting begins when chickens are at least 18-months old. The process can last for eight to twelve weeks. You might notice a slight drop in egg production during molting. Chickens give themselves a well deserved break from laying and prepare their bodies for winter. You can help your chickens to remain healthy and comfortable by:

• Avoiding unnecessary handling; chickens' skin is sensitive during molting.
• Keeping a low-stress environment; do not introduce new hens into the flock to minimize the stress of maintaining a pecking order during molting.
• Feeding a protein rich diet; food rich in protein encourages healthy feather regrowth.

Tidy Coops & Runs

Fall is a great time for a thorough clean of your chicken coop and run. Chickens will enjoy the comforts of a clean, dry, well ventilated coop during their fall hiatus. Keep an eye for any mites, lice, or parasites as you clean and treat the coop with pest repellent if necessary. Molting chickens are particularly susceptible to infestation. Scrub feeders and water fountains with an environmentally friendly cleanser.

Secure the Perimeter

Protect your chickens from lurking predators. Food becomes scant during fall so, predators are on the hunt for an easy meal. Inspect your coop and run and make any necessary repairs to overhead netting, chicken wire, fencing, or other perimeter boundaries.

Light Up the Coop

Chickens are photoperiod sensitive. Dwindling hours of daylight as fall progresses can decrease your chickens egg laying. Help your chickens to continue to lay by providing 14 to 16 hours of light per day. You can achieve sufficient lighting by equipping your coop with one 24W bulb for every 40-square-feet of coop.

Embrace the autumn changes in your backyard and enjoy the scene while listening to the happy, "Cluck, cluck!" of your well prepared chickens! Don’t forget to treat your chickens with Popworms! during the autumn season! Use the Promo Code “FALL” to receive 20% off PopWorms! ECO and PopWorms! PRO.  Valid through October 5, 2019.

Nothing is more exciting than starting off your chicken raising adventure! Whether you're starting a coop to harvest precious eggs, raising birds for meat, or just enjoying the company (and sometimes cacophony) of a flock of beautiful birds, you'll need to make sure your yard is ready!
 
The most important investments you'll make for your chickens is quality housing and a safe outdoor space to frolic. 

Chicken Coops: Size Matters!

The size of your coop depends on the number of chickens you plan on having. You don't want to overcrowd poultry! Floor space should be your number one concern when planning your coop.
 
Per Coopsandcages.com "Ideally, every chicken must have at least 3 feet space. Therefore, if you have 5 birds, you'll have to get an enclosure that measures 15 [square] feet. In addition to the recommended 3 feet space, every coop must also have a roosting area, a nesting area, and a feeding area."

• If your chickens will need to spend cold winter months all cooped up then you'll need more space per bird. They'll need at least 5 square feet per bird if you live in a harsh climate.
• You'll also need 1 nesting box for every 4 hens. Chickens prefer to nest in boxes that are dark and quiet. Bed them with straw or another clean, soft medium.
• Windows and doors are also key. You need to be able to open up your coop for ventilation, and you'll need ready access to collect eggs and clean the coop. 

 
Chicken Runs: Shady Pastures
 
Fit your yard for chickens with plenty of shade and plenty of water. You can hand water chickens once or twice a day or purchase automatic chicken waterers. These still need to be checked every day! Chickens love dust baths, so a nice dry spot of dirt would really be appreciated. 
 
Finally, shade is key! Chickens can suffer from heat exhaustion in the summer, so make sure you have some methods to cool down your yard, and plenty of shade.

Welcome to an amazing new hobby! You're going to have so much fun! Check out the rest of our blog for more great chicken articles and stories, and to learn more about our PopWorms! ECO and PopWorms! PRO chicken treats!  Your chickens will thank you!