Complete Guide to Poultry Care for New Owners

“Poultry” refers to domesticated birds frequently kept for eggs, meat, feathers, or as pets, such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese. Raising poultry successfully means more than just bringing hens home and expecting them to lay eggs — thoughtful care and housing are vital to their health and welfare.

This guide gives an easy-to-follow overview of what it takes to keep poultry in your garden or smallholding, covering their needs, cost, feeding, health, and settling in when buying birds. Whether you want eggs fresh from your hens or simply enjoy having these birds around, understanding their particular care requirements is essential.

1. Is Your Home Suitable for Keeping Poultry?

Before getting poultry, ensure you have a sufficiently large garden or land area to provide secure housing and space for your birds to roam. Waterfowl like ducks and geese also need constant access to clean water for swimming. Check local council regulations or homeowner association rules, especially about keeping cockerels or certain breeds, since noise and neighbour concerns can be an issue.

If you plan to keep 50 or more birds, registering with DEFRA’s poultry register and possibly applying for planning permission may be necessary. Consider the impact on neighbours related to noise and pest attraction, as food can draw rats and other wildlife. Make sure your family is united in the decision as poultry can be a long-term commitment.

• Can you commit financially to proper housing, equipment, feed, and veterinary care?
• Do you have time daily for feeding, cleaning, and health checks?
• Can you protect your flock from predators like foxes and dogs?
• Are you prepared for variable egg production throughout the year?
• Consider how changes such as moving house might affect your ability to care for poultry.

2. Understanding Costs and Initial Setup for Poultry Keeping

Purchasing poultry birds is generally affordable, with adult hens and ducks typically costing between £15 and £20. Chicks are cheaper but require more specialised care, so beginners should start with juvenile or adult birds.

The cost of housing varies widely: simple home-built wooden henhouses can be assembled for under £100, while professionally made, predator-proof units can exceed £1,000. You'll also need feeders, waterers, bedding, and other accessories. Though initial expenses can be considerable, ongoing costs for feed and bedding tend to be modest, excluding any veterinary needs that might arise.

3. Daily Care and Time Commitment

Daily poultry care includes feeding, providing fresh water, allowing outdoor time where safe, collecting eggs, and securing the birds at night. Weekly thorough cleaning of all housing and equipment maintains hygiene and helps prevent disease.

Poultry are relatively low maintenance once properly established and do not usually require extensive daily time beyond basic routines. However, consistent care is necessary to keep your flock healthy and productive.

4. Feeding Your Poultry Properly

Each poultry species has unique feeding needs. Chickens primarily eat grains, seeds, and insects, but require a balanced chicken feed to meet nutritional needs. Ducks forage in water and on land, eating algae, aquatic plants, insects, berries and should be provided with specialised duck pellets as staple food. Geese graze on grass, leafy plants and grains. Turkeys enjoy a varied diet of foliage, nuts, bugs and commercial complete feeds.

Access to grit is essential for digestion, and calcium supplements, such as crushed shells, help laying birds maintain strong eggshells. Nutritional requirements fluctuate with seasons and laying cycles, so researching species-specific feed is beneficial.

5. Ensuring Health and Wellbeing

With correct care and diet, poultry can remain healthy without frequent veterinary intervention. Watch for signs of common issues like lice, mites, or digestive upsets, and consult your vet for appropriate prevention and treatment.

Healthy birds have bright eyes, smooth legs without flaky scales, firm healthy combs, and no discharges from eyes or beak. Natural moult cycles may temporarily make birds look untidy but are normal.

6. Necessary Equipment for Your Poultry

The right housing is essential to protect birds from weather and predators. Poultry houses should be raised from the ground, dry, and well ventilated. Secure runs protect poultry when free ranging is not an option. For ducks and geese, provide access to clean dabbling water.

• Feeders and fresh water supply
• Proper bedding materials
• Mineral supplements like grit and calcium
• Suitable shelter and runs tailored to your poultry species
• A reliable guidebook on poultry care for your species

7. Why Keep Poultry for Eggs?

Laying hens and ducks are popular choices for fresh eggs. Different breeds lay eggs of various colours and sizes. Hens and ducks generally lay consistently when well cared for, though egg production can vary with age, season, and environment.

Chasing down hidden eggs daily is a common, enjoyable part of poultry ownership. The satisfaction of using your birds’ fresh eggs can outweigh the upfront costs and effort.

8. Where and How to Buy Poultry

Poultry are not commonly sold at typical pet shops, but farms, breeders, and private sellers offer birds for hobby or small-scale keeping. Browse poultry for sale on Pets4Homes to find hens, ducks, geese or turkeys available in your area.

Buy birds that appear healthy, are alert, and ideally already laying to reduce waiting time for eggs. Check the seller’s knowledge of the birds’ routine and health history, ask about after-sale support, and always get a receipt.

9. Transporting and Settling Your New Poultry

Transport your birds securely using crates designed for poultry or sturdy boxes lined with straw or newspaper for comfort. Limit space in the container so birds remain calm but ensure adequate ventilation.

Secure the carrier in your vehicle to prevent movement. Drive carefully with your birds’ welfare in mind. Once home, place them gently in their new housing and allow them to explore at their own pace. Establish a consistent routine quickly, but allow time for adjustment before expecting laying to begin.

Additional Resources

For species-specific care, consider reading guides on hens, ducks, turkeys, and geese.

Responsible poultry ownership enhances both your enjoyment and your birds’ welfare. Careful planning, research, and a warm commitment ensure a happy, healthy flock for years to come.