A chook in the backyard makes a house a home! Backyard poultry and waterfowl have individual personalities and are a quirky and entertaining part of the family. Not to mention, your own fresh produce in the form of eggs! Setting them up for success with the right housing and diet allows for a harmonious and healthy flock.  

 

It is important to check with local council regulations surrounding the types or numbers of birds allowed on a property BEFORE you bring any home. They should almost always be kept as a pair (as a minimum).  

 

Backyard flock housing 

The typical backyard comes in many shapes and sizes, meaning how we establish a suitable home for these birds will vary considerably. Backyard birds may have the full run of the space and be relatively free-ranging, or require restriction to a smaller area for their safety. Even inner urban backyards are frequented by predators (foxes, neighbourhood dogs or cats, feral cats) and a fully enclosed area will likely be required. Securing against predators may include digging the enclosure walls into the ground some distance, or meshing in the bottom completely, to prevent predators digging their way in. Foxes will visit even in the middle of the day, even in the suburbs. 

 

An almost entirely enclosed smaller area should be provided as a coop, or area for the birds to rest in both during the day, but most importantly, for secure and safe roosting overnight. This can double as a private area for egg laying. There are many commercially available products, ranging in materials from timber to plastic to metal; neither is superior, rather choice will depend on individual circumstances. What is of importance is: 

• Does it allow for proper ventilation, to avoid accumulation of moisture and fumes from their droppings? 

• Can it protect from temperature and weather extremes? 

• How easy the space is to clean and keep clean? If a human cannot easily access all areas of the coop, there is potential for accumulation of organic matter, which can harbour bacteria, fungi and other organisms capable of causing disease. This is true for nesting boxes also.  

 

The substrate or flooring in an enclosure or yard could be natural grass and dirt, through to concreted or hard flooring with materials like hay or straw added. Anywhere a bird can jump from a height should have a soft area to land on; a thick layer of hay or soft straw is a great option as it is relatively easy to remove/replace once soiled. Saw dust and wood shavings are not ideal. They can have sharp edges that cause trauma to the underside of the birds feet, and can also damage a birds respiratory system through strong odours or aerosolisation of fine dusts.  

 

Perches provided for a bird to roost on should be made from natural branches, or at the very least, rounded untreated wood rods, allowing them to secure their grip. Any processed timbers that have sharp or square edges, or have been treated with chemicals should be avoided. Perch height should not exceed 60cm from the ground.  

 

Nesting boxes should be in a relatively dark and private area with a thick layer (~10cm) of nesting material; loose chaff or cut hay is a good option. Regular cleaning to prevent it becoming soiled is of paramount importance – to your chicken and for the eggs to be viable for human consumption. Preventing chickens from roosting in nesting boxes of a night (through perch provision elsewhere and lids on the boxes) will help with keeping this area clean.  

 

Water birds (ie, ducks and geese) will require an area for them to paddle, preen and eat. Plastic children’s sand pits, filled with water rather than sand, are great for this as they can be emptied, cleaned, and refreshed with minimal effort. Wild birds, rodents, or other animals should also be prevented from accessing this water.