Keeping hens requires a long-term commitment and daily efforts. An urban chicken coop project also involves some financial investments and responsabilities like any other pet! Being a chicken keeper in the city can be an enriching experience provided you are well prepared and have inquired about what such a project entails.
The SPA de l’Estrie has prepared an informative guide for citizens interested in keeping hens in urban areas. This practical and easy-to-use guide aims to allow those who undertake such a project to well equipped.
Check out the version of the guide prepared for Sherbrooke residents or the one prepared for residents of other municipalities.
Here are some of the themes addressed in the Guide :
Construction of the chicken coop and enclosure
– The location
– Standards
– The dimensions
The equipment
– The manger, the water trough, the nest box and the perch
– The litter
Diseases and parasites in hens
The hen care in winter
— Insulation
— The necessary equipment, for example, the heating lamp
Avian influenza and urban chickens
Due to the spread of avian influenza, it is important to monitor your birds carefully so that they do not find themselves in the wild.
It is necessary to avoid at all costs any contact between the wild birds and chickens. For example, water and pet food should be distributed inside the chicken coop. It is strongly recommended to clean your facilities frequently.
If you notice any signs of disease, unusual behaviour or mortality in your hens, you must report them to the MAPAQ at 1-877-346-6763.