Skip to content
PetariumPetarium

Backyard animals

Keeping Backyard Chickens Healthy

Housing, feeding, parasite control and legal rules for keeping a few hens.

By Dr Hana LindqvistVeterinary review: Dr Elena Marsh7 min readPublished 2026-09-29Updated 2026-09-29
Illustration of a dog and cat resting at home beside a water bowl and lead

Housing

A fox-proof coop with perches, nest boxes and good ventilation without draughts. Clean regularly to reduce red mite.

Feeding

Complete layers' feed should be the main diet, with grit and fresh water. Kitchen scraps are illegal to feed to poultry in the UK and risk spreading disease.

Health checks

  • Check for red mite in perch crevices
  • Look for scaly leg mite
  • Worm according to a vet or faecal test
  • Watch for a hen sitting fluffed up and quiet — she needs prompt attention

Rules

In the UK, keepers of 50 or more birds must register, and smaller keepers are encouraged to. Follow bird flu housing orders when they apply.

References

  1. Keeping poultry — GOV.UK (Defra)
  2. Hen welfare — British Hen Welfare Trust