Basic Chicken Care Information

PictureBasic Chicken Care. Photo of Lil' Snowball II (Frizzle bantam) & Bonnie (Partridge bantam) at CHOE Sanctuary. 2019
Chickens need a weather and predator proof, safe chicken coop and covered run or chicken tractor to live and play in which should be cleaned regularly and periodically moved to prevent nitrogen burns and sickness.
Chickens need a nutritionally balanced feed or mash appropriate for their age and access to fresh clean water at all times. If your birds seem a bit ruffled or under the weather you can add some vitamins and electrolytes to their water to perk them up. ​Treats should only be given in the afternoon  (and not every day) after birds have had access to their feed all day or vitamin deficiencies which can cause illness could result.
Baby chicks have different nutritional needs than adult chickens (See Feeding Baby Chicks).
Chickens need fresh tilled dirt to take a dirt bath in. If the ground is hard where they are located you should move them and til the ground so that it can renew itself before they return to that area. Chicken Tractors should be moved at least once a month.
Chickens need to be wormed monthly and you should use some type of parasite control to prevent infestations.
Just as important is the fact, your birds need to be protected from predators. 
Many chicken breeds are sweet birds and each have their own personality but all of your chickens will need your attention. Chickens are very smart and most of them, are like people in some ways as some can be very friendly and affectionate even snuggling up to you or climbing on your lap, while others are shy or standoffish, and still others prefer that you do not touch them. Most chickens respond to the amount of individual attention you give them as they grow to adult hood. If you get them as adults their personalities are already established. Some but not all roosters can get aggressive which is a natural instinct (particularly during puberty which most will grow out of). Some become aggressive if there are not enough hens (6-12 hens per roo is suggested). Aggressive roosters tend to be more fertile than non aggressive ones so if you are breeding chickens you may want to select a rooster who is aggressive but it's a good idea to keep him in a coop so he is not attacking everyone. Raising chickens can be done for many different reasons. Some people raise chickens as pets while others raise them for food, some raise them as yard decorations, and still some raise them for brutal religious rituals , fighting, and scientific experiments which is horrifying to those of us who love our chickens.  Whatever the reason you decide to raise chickens, all of them need the same basic care. A good secure chicken coop and run, clean, dry bedding, a constant nutritional food supply, fresh clean water, protection from the elements, parasites, and predators. If you are just starting out raising chickens you should spend some time learning all you can about them.
See more about chicken care below.