Chicken keeping in Switzerland: registration and care checklist
If you plan to keep chickens in Switzerland, preparation matters. This checklist helps you think through the basics before your hens arrive: registration, housing, water, feed, hygiene and daily care.
Check official Swiss requirements
Chicken keepers in Switzerland should check the current official requirements for poultry registration and animal welfare. For official information, visit the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office: BLV chicken-keeping information.
· Check registration requirements in your canton
· Prepare a secure coop
· Make sure the run or garden area is safe
· Buy suitable feed
· Set up a feeder and drinker
· Prepare nesting space
· Plan a cleaning routine
· Keep basic hygiene products ready
Daily care checklist
· Check that all hens are active and alert
· Provide fresh water
· Check feed level and cleanliness
· Remove obvious dirt or droppings where needed
· Look for signs of stress, injury or illness
· Clean drinkers thoroughly
· Check feeder cleanliness
· Replace dirty nesting material
· Inspect perches, corners and cracks
· Look for early signs of red mite
· Deep clean the coop
· Refresh bedding
· Check ventilation
· Review predator protection
· Inspect drinkers and feeders for wear
The basic equipment list for most small flocks includes:
· Chicken feeder
· Chicken drinker
· Nesting material
· Bedding
· Grit or oyster shell where appropriate
· Coop cleaning products
· Red mite prevention products
· Feed storage container
Good chicken keeping is built on routine. Start simple, observe your hens and improve your setup as you learn what works best in your garden.
Les indispensables pour débuter
Happy Hen keeping