Chicken Care Resources

At Small Pet Select, we know a healthy, well-cared-for flock takes a lot of work. That’s why we’ve collected expert-backed guides in one place, so you can raise your birds with confidence. Explore articles like A Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens, covering breed selection, coop setup, feeding and daily care; Guide to Chicken Feed: Feeding Your Flock from Chick to Layer, breaking down proper nutrition at each life stage; and Backyard Chicken Health & Wellness Guide, packed with tips on coop hygiene, parasite prevention, seasonal care, and spotting signs of a healthy bird.

The Ultimate Guide to Chicken Bedding: Best Options for a Clean, Healthy Coop
Bedding is like a sponge. It collects daily waste and helps reduce the smell on the coop floor. The material you go with has a direct impact on your feathered...
Identifying and Treating Common Chicken Health Issues: Pasty Butt, Bumblefoot, Parasites & Respiratory Problems
Chickens can show general sickness signs like lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, ruffled feathers, abnormal droppings, or breathing trouble — early detection and isolation help with treatment. Pasty butt...
Chickens: Free-Range vs Run & Garden Integration
The article compares free-range systems (letting chickens roam) with enclosed chicken runs, outlining benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Free-ranging supports natural behaviours like foraging, scratching, dust bathing, exercise, and...
Backyard Chicken Health & Wellness Guide
Healthy chickens have bright eyes, glossy feathers, red combs/wattles, clean vents, and regular egg laying. Behavior matters: active pecking, scratching, good appetite, social interactions, and normal vocalisations are signs of...
Chicken Feed Handbook: Nutrition Essentials for Healthy, Happy Hens
Quality feed affects disease resistance, egg quality, lifespan, feathers, and overall health. Pick feeds based on life stage: starter/grower for chicks, layer feed when they begin laying, avoid meat bird...
Guide to Chicken Feed: Feeding Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chick starter feed (0-8 weeks): ~18-20% protein, small pellets/crumbles, free access to feed & water. Grower feed (8-18 weeks): lower protein (~15-18%), larger pellets/crumbles; supports steady growth without excessive weight. ...
Fueling Your Small Pets With The Best Pet Food
Start with what each species eats in the wild to guide diet choices. For rabbits: 85% of diet = hay (available always); pellets are a supplement; leafy greens daily;...
A Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens
Chickens are smart, curious, and can live ~8 years; raising them takes space, time, and long-term commitment. Breed types include hybrids (high egg production), heritage (longer lifespan, traditional breeds), and...