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Water
There must be a clean source of water available at all times. When new chickens are introduced, they must be provided with facilities to which they are already accustomed, as chickens do not like to drink from unfamiliar drinkers. Suitable drinkers should be used for young chicks to prevent them climbing in and drowning. As the birds become bigger and require more water, alternative drinkers should be introduced and the old drinkers should be removed gradually over a number of days.

Food
Day-old chicks will peck at small pellet-shaped objects, and within a few days they will learn to recognise food particles. Chickens will spend much of their day scratching and foraging for small seeds and roots in the ground. They will need additional food such as grain to provide an adequate balance of protein, carbohydrates and minerals. As the female birds mature they will begin to lay eggs and a calcium supplement should be included in the diet. If they are kept on a grassed area, the grass should not be allowed to become too long, as, if eaten, long strands can become impacted in the crop, making it difficult for the birds to digest food. Chickens must always have access to insoluble grit to aid digestion.

Nest boxes
Laying chickens should be encouraged to lay their eggs in a designated nest box area, especially if the eggs are intended for human consumption. The boxes should be draught-free and lined with clean, dry and comfortable material such as straw or wood shavings. Many chickens prefer to find a quiet, isolated place to lay their eggs away from their pen mates.

Shelter
Chickens will naturally seek a raised position to roost at dusk, as a means of protection against predators. They should be given a warm, dry shelter with raised perches that are approximately 3-5cm in width with rounded edges, to enable the birds to grip. Enough perching space should be provided so as to allow all the chickens to roost at the same time, with at least one square meter of floor space for nine birds. To help maintain good feather condition, there should always be a dry place where the chickens can dust bathe and preen their feathers.

Where chickens are given access to a shed, the entrance to this should be wide enough to allow the hens to pass through without difficulty. The shed should be bedded with clean straw, cleaned out frequently, and checked to ensure that there are no harmful parasites which could compromise the birds' health. Adequate ventilation is very important and, while it is important to keep the birds warm, there must also be good air circulation inside the shed.

In smaller houses, a greater proportion of birds tend to go out onto the range area during the day, and only use the shed at night. When they roost, hens like to be near each other as this gives them a greater sense of safety. However, there must be enough space either side of the perch for hens get up and down from these without injuring themselves. It also helps to maintain a comfortable temperature within the shed - particularly during the colder months.

Pasture
The outdoor area will require careful management and should be given periods of rest, to allow the ground and grass to recover. It is important that the area is sufficiently large enough to be divided - unless there are alternative grass areas nearby to use - in order to allow the chickens to roam on good pasture every day. On the range area, there should be additional means of overhead shelter, to protect them against direct sunlight, strong wind and driving rain.

Fencing
Fences should be well maintained and provide appropriate protection against predators. The design should ensure that the birds cannot escape or become trapped.

Worming
Poultry kept on the same ground for a prolonged period will need regular worming.