What they need
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Looking after chickens takes some time and effort. You will need enough space for a chicken coop or shed and adequate exercise space depending on the breed of chicken you choose to keep.
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Chickens should be kept outdoors in a coop or shed. You can buy chicken coops from most farm suppliers, online, or you could build your own.
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Your coop should have:
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at least 1,100 square centimetres floor area for each bird
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a perch for them to stand on while they sleep
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an exercise space, or ‘run’
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the nesting box should be filled with wood shavings for the hens to lay eggs
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Chicken coops should be cleaned out every week
10 Reasons to keep chickens
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Tasty Healthy Eggs - Your own fresh tasty organic eggs, available when you want them!
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Children - They love chickens and looking for the eggs
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Slow Food - Know what you eat and what your chickens have been fed
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Free bug control - Chickens eat bugs, ear wigs, spiders, slugs and whatever else crawls in your garden
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Weed control - Chickens love grass and other weeds sprouting up
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Low maintenance pets - Chickens are fun to watch and do not need to be walked
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Free fertilizer - Rich manure ready to turn your garden green and blossom
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Composting made easy - Chickens will eat your left over fruits, vegetables and table scraps
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Peace of Mind - You know your chickens will be raised humanely
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Beauty - Many chicken breeds are pretty and an asset to your garden
