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*this is meant to be a simple, helpful guideline, not a poultry manifesto- use your own personal judgement when it comes to caring for your flock*

Basic (and not-so-basic) chicken care:

Bantam chickens are great for so many reasons: their tiny size, generally sweet disposition, and overall hug factor :) 
Here are some basic tips to help you keep these little birds healthy, safe, and happily producing eggs for you: 

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A tiny "Silkie Palapa" (holds 4-6 bantams) in Yountville, Ca.

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Betsy 
(Bantam Ameraucana)
Freckles 
(Polish Frizzle)
ViVi 
(Polish)
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We'll break it down into 3 categories:
HOUSING, FOOD, and ETC 

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**You can click directly on the highlighted section for very helpful links full of specific information dedicated to these topics**

Housing:

Bantam poultry need ample shelter to protect them from the elements- and especially predators. They cannot defend themselves, and some have such fluffy heads they can barely see!

After the first 60 days of your chicks life, they can go out in their coop full time. 

A good "rule of thumb" for housing your chicken is 2-3 feet per chicken inside the hen house and 4-5sq feet per chicken in the outside run. 

*BUT* Because bantams are smaller chickens (usually half the size of a standard chicken) you can obviously fit more in a coop- but your tiny chickens will always appreciate a spacious abode, get along with their fellow flock mates better & reward you with fresh eggs more frequently.




You cannot house your Silkie chicks in a bowl..however I just cant resist a cute photo op!

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A great resource for coops & managing your flock is www.backyardchickens.com 

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A view of our super coop

Bantam chickens require lots of love, fresh air, clean water and more than adequate shelter- but one of the most important components for any creature is diet. This is crucial from the day the chicks are born throughout all the stages of their lives.

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<--Happy, healthy chickens produce eggs with bright orange yokes, deliciousness!

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Fresh from the coop: Bantam Ameraucana, Polish, & Silkie eggs

Feeding your chicken:

Grown chickens (laying age) can eat layer pellets or crumbles available at any feed supply store or online.I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE organic and soy-free feed from Scratch and Peck Feed in Washington.www.scratchandpeck.com
Chicks under 8 weeks old need to have special "chick starter" feed. *See below for our special "Chick Mash" to make them grown up to be the best little chickens they can be! 

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Kale is a hearty leafy green rich in omegas. Easy to grow & inexpensive too!
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We waste very little. When the seasonal garden gets pulled out- it's feeding time

Once they are grown, they can eat standard layer chicken feed- but our girls get a special Omega-3 rich blend to give them beautiful plumage and an extra spring in their step! We supplement with kelp, kale, flax seed, and quinoa. As our mini farm has evolved, we have created a system to provide sustenance for our human family, as well as our chickens! Nothing is cuter than a fluffy silkie dancing around with their furry little feet! 
They also love food scraps! Chickens will eat all sorts of fresh produce & bread scraps- but everyone has their preference- for my Silkies--their favorite is watermelon! Pumpkins and tomatoes are a special treat, too. You will find that your chickens will be ever so grateful for your raw veggie leftovers and misc fresh scraps. I do not feed my silkies any meat products, however they go crazy for meal worms or the occasional unfortunate potato bug that crosses their path. Ameraucanas are amazing fly catchers! 

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Collard Greens-- I'm not a huge fan for myself, but the chickens seem to dig 'em!
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*CHICK MASH*

Baby Chicks need to have a special diet to ensure they have all the nutrients they need to thrive. All chicks are pretty resilient, however because Silkies are such tiny little bantams, they need more than adequate vitamins & minerals in their feed. Chicks under 3 weeks old also have a propensity for "pasting up" on their little bums. They are fluffy! They can't wipe their own little bums ;) It's gross, but a pasty butt can kill a chick. Before bringing your new chicks home, I recommend you purchase the following items to make a "Chick Mash" or just have available at any time if your new additions require a little extra somethin' besides just dry chick starter feed. THIS MASH IS NOT TO BE USED ALL THE TIME- IT IS A SUPPLEMENT! But, using this blend will really help keep your chicks healthy & hopefully cut down on any problems down the road. When I have fussy or special needs chicks, this mash always comes in handy. It's organic, and easy to prepare. 

The molasses & apple cider vinegar water can be made in huge gallon batches if necessary & stay in the fridge for a couple days. Super easy. Pour the "tonic" in with the dry pellets and mix it up until it looks like disgusting dog food. Yum! I like to cut up cardboard egg cups to serve my mash to the chicks. Fill up the cups, put it in their brooder-- watch the frenzy. Easy to throw away. 

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Only $3.49

*Apple Cider Vinegar (Braggs, or Heinz Organic)
*Molasses (also organic)
*Electrolytes (either gatorade, H20, or my favorite "Sav-A-Chick") 

How to make "CHICK MASH"
-1tsp molasses for each liter of H20 (I don't really precisely measure anymore, I just mix it up so the water is light brown, like sweet iced tea)
-1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
-chick starter pellets or crumbles


**ONE OF THE BEST THINGS EVER: The drip system or rabbit waterer! 

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3 day old partridge chick
For baby chicks, one of the biggest concerns is hydration. Tiny chicks always need water, & they don't always want to drink it. They make a mess, they poop in it, they choke...the easiest solution? Get them to use a drip waterer. They are attracted to the shiny metal dropper, their heads tilt forward then back, and they can enjoy small sips of water. I use this with all my new hatches. The first few days in the brooder I keep a small cup underneath the waterer with marbles inside, but after a few days they are good to go! 


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Our adorable Silkie pullet "Miss Bunny" wants to be hydrated-- from a cup on the dinner table!

Were Anti-Social n stuff! 
Shy at times- So maybe reach out & help us socialize? 
*Promise it won't be too awkward or uncomfortable*

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All chickens hatched & raised in  Saint Helena, California.