Category: Managing the Flock

Keep Rodents Out of the Chicken Feed With This Natural, Chicken-Safe Solution

If you’ve ever spotted a rat, mouse, or squirrel hanging around your chicken feeder, you know how frustrating it can be. Once they discover an easy food source, they’ll keep coming back for more. There’s a simple, natural trick that can help: cayenne pepper. Yep, the same spicy stuff you might use in the kitchen can actually help keep rodents out of your coop without harming your chickens.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, the compound that gives it that fiery heat. Rodents, with their super-sensitive sense of smell and taste, find capsaicin intensely irritating. Just a small amount can make the area around your chicken feed too unpleasant for them to bother with. While it won’t harm rats, mice, or squirrels, it definitely makes them think twice about approaching the chicken feeder.
Even better—your chickens won’t mind it one bit. Birds don’t have the receptors to feel the heat from spicy foods, so cayenne pepper doesn’t bother them at all. In fact, some chicken keepers say it may even have mild health benefits, like helping with parasites or reducing inflammation.
To use cayenne pepper in your coop, just mix 1–2 tablespoons into every 10 pounds of feed. Make sure it’s mixed well so the flavor is distributed evenly. You’ll want to repeat this each time you refill your feeder. For extra protection, you can also sprinkle a light dusting of cayenne around the base of feeders, coop entry points, or any place you suspect rodents are getting in.
Keep in mind, you’ll need to reapply the pepper after rain or cleaning, and while it’s great as a preventative, it won’t solve a full-blown rodent infestation on its own. Make sure you’re also storing your feed in sealed, rodent-proof containers—metal bins with tight-fitting lids work the best.
Tip: One of the most affordable ways to buy cayenne pepper is in bulk—check natural grocery stores like Sprouts, where it’s often sold by the pound.

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The Best and Worst Sands for Your Chicken Coop

A Complete Guide to Safe, Clean, and Healthy Bedding

Using sand in a chicken coop or run can be a smart and practical choice—if you select the right type. The proper sand can provide excellent drainage, help control odors, and make cleaning easier. However, not all sand is suitable, and choosing the wrong kind can pose serious health risks to your flock.

The best sands for chicken coops are coarse and gritty. Construction-grade sand, also known as concrete sand, washed sand, or river sand, is a top choice. It features a mix of grain sizes, from fine particles to small pebbles, offering superb drainage and minimal compaction. Chickens enjoy dust bathing in it, and it supports foot health by providing natural grit. River sand is another excellent option—it’s similar to construction sand but usually smoother and free of contaminants or sharp fragments. Bank run sand, sometimes called mason sand if coarse, is also suitable as long as it isn’t too fine. In dry climates, decomposed granite can be used in outdoor runs; it’s very fine and stable underfoot, though it may get dusty.
To use sand effectively in your coop or run, aim for a depth of 2 to 4 inches inside the coop and up to 6 inches in outdoor runs. Clean it regularly using a kitty litter scoop or a fine rake to remove droppings. Good drainage is essential, so place sand in areas that slope slightly or have proper runoff. Refresh the sand every few months by topping it off with a new layer as needed.

❌ Sand Types to Avoid

On the other hand, certain types of sand should be strictly avoided. Play sand, which is very fine and powdery, retains moisture, compacts easily, and creates dust that can lead to respiratory issues and increase the risk of coccidiosis. Beach or saltwater sand may contain harmful salt, bacteria, or contaminants and typically offers poor drainage. Sandbox sand or fine mason sand shares similar problems unless it’s coarse and well-washed. Silica sand is particularly dangerous because its fine particles can be harmful when inhaled, posing health hazards to both chickens and humans.

Sand Keeps Your Coop Healthy—and Easy to Clean

Looking for the right cleaning tool? A Collection of Sifting Shovels for Sand

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Urban Chicken Keeping, Yes or No?

Keeping a small backyard flock in the city comes with a mix of rewarding benefits and practical challenges. On the positive side, hens provide fresh, nutritious eggs, natural fertilizer for gardens, and effective pest control. However, suburban chicken keeping isn’t without its drawbacks. There are zoning laws and noise ordinances to consider, coop maintenance and biosecurity needs to manage, and potential conflicts with neighbors over smell or noise. Additionally, predators—even in the suburbs—can pose a risk. Weighing these pros and cons helps ensure a happy and responsible flock-keeping experience.
To find out if you can keep chickens in your area, start by checking your city or county’s official government website. Look for sections labeled “Municipal Code,” “Zoning,” or “Animal Ordinances,” and use the search bar to find terms like “chickens,” “poultry,” or “urban farming.”

How Many Chickens?

For a family of four, keeping 4 to 6 hens is usually enough to provide a steady supply of fresh eggs. Most healthy hens lay between 4 to 6 eggs per week, so with five hens, a family can expect around 20 to 30 eggs weekly—typically more than enough for everyday use. When starting a backyard flock, you can choose between buying pullets or chicks. Pullets are young hens close to laying age, making them a convenient option for those who want eggs sooner and prefer less early-stage care. Chicks, while more affordable and available in a wider variety, require more attention, including special feeding, heat, and several months before they begin laying. Chickens can be purchased at local feed stores, particularly during the spring, or through online retailers that ship chicks directly. Local breeders or small farms are also a good source and may offer helpful advice tailored to your region.

Want Lots of Eggs? These Two Breeds Won’t Disappoint

White Leghorn: 280-320 eggs per year
Rhode Island Red: 250-300 per year

Start-up Cost?

Considering you’ll need a coop and run, a brooder if you start with baby chicks, supplies, feed, and of course, unexpected expenses, plan to initially spend at least $1,000 to $1,500.
Note: You will NOT save money by keeping backyard chickens. Farm-fresh eggs are significantly more expensive to produce than buying eggs at the store.

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