Freedom from fear and distress

To help your chicken settle in, it’s really important to:

• Have your chicken coop already set up, with everything your chickens need.
• House them in the right location, away from anything that could cause them stress.
• Slowly get them used to the daily routine of feeding and cleaning.
• Provide them with other chicken friends that they get along with

Keep reading for more information about how to help your new chicken feel safe.

Chickens are prey animals, which means they’re always on the lookout for things that may harm them. It's important to help your new chicken feel safe and relaxed by housing them in an area away from loud noises and other pets.

The best location for your chicken coop is somewhere that is:

• Away from danger or stressors (such as a busy road).
• Protected from extreme changes in climate (along a fence line can provide additional shelter from wind).
• Easy to access for feeding, cleaning and checking on your hens
• Spacious. Keep in mind your flock may grow, so it's always good to have extra space if you need to extend the size of your chicken coop.

Chickens feel safest when they are able to get up high or can take cover under shelter. This is why your chicken coop should have lots of perches at different levels.

Find out more about the ideal environment for your chicken in our freedom from discomfort section.

When you bring your new chicken (or chickens) home, its likely you will have them in a carrier or cardboard box (with airholes of course).

Place the carrier or cardboard box in the coop and let them jump out by themselves.

Your chickens will feel more relaxed if they are able to explore their new home at their own pace.

Allow your chicken a few hours to get used to the chicken coop, then check on them again.

Every time you enter your chicken coop, do so slowly and quietly. Chickens feel safer when you make slow, predictable movements.

It is best to place their food and water close to the door, so it is easy to change it every morning. If the food is at the back of the cage, it is harder to get to, and may scare your chickens as you try to access it.

After a few days, when your chickens have settled into the chicken coop, check whether the outdoor area is safe and allow them time to explore the run (or free range) by opening the chicken coop doors.

Always make sure your chickens are able to get back into their chicken coop if they are ever scared or feel threatened.

Chickens are highly social creatures, and just like us they can have disagreements from time to time.

There could be a number of reasons why your chickens are fighting.

1. Are you giving your chickens the right amount of food and is it spread around so every chicken can eat it in peace? Chickens sometimes fight over food.
   • Try increasing the amount of food you provide and scatter it on the ground in different areas for your chickens to eat.
2. Do your chickens have enough nest boxes?
   • Chickens can fight over nesting space. Try and provide as many nest boxes as you have chickens.
3. Are your chickens bored? Are they able to perform normal chicken behaviours such as foraging, scratching and pecking, nesting, dustbathing and perching?
   • Boredom in chickens can sometimes lead to negative behaviours, such as feather plucking or aggression in healthy chickens. Keep your chickens bodies and minds busy by providing toys or environmental enrichment. See our section on freedom to express normal behaviour on how to make your chickens environment more interesting.
4. Is one chicken chasing another chicken repeatedly?
   • Try and figure out who is doing the chasing. Is it around food, a certain object or in a particular area? Sometimes chickens don’t want to share their food or toys, just like brothers and sisters! If you can figure out what the cause is, you may be able to solve the problem easily. You may need to house your chickens in a larger enclosure or separate them if their aggression continues.

Chickens do have the potential to hurt each other, so it is best to contact your veterinarian if you are unsure as to why your chickens are fighting.

Chickens can become stressed easily by being handled, particularly if it’s not done correctly. Not all chickens like to be picked up, so always check with an adult first about whether it’s ok to pick up your chicken. Like most animals, the more your chickens trust you, the more likely they will be to allow you to hold them.

Your chickens will respond better to handling if you get them used to your hand patting them gently and even hand feeding them healthy treats.

The best way to pick up a chicken is by placing your hands over the top of each of your chicken’s wings, then gently lift your chicken up, gently tucking their body under your arm so they feel safer and more supported.

It’s a great idea to reward your hen with some grain or food pellets when placing them safely back down to show them that handling should not be viewed as an unpleasant or feared experience for them.