🐔 Backyard Chickens on the Northern Beaches
Chickens are becoming increasingly popular as backyard pets across the Northern Beaches. They’re entertaining, sociable, and add charm to any home — but just like any pet, they need proper care, housing, and health monitoring.
🐣 Getting Started with Chickens
Most people begin with a flock of two to six hens. You can start with:
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Point-of-lay pullets (16–24 weeks old)
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Older rescue hens
Locally, we recommend The New Leaf Nursery in Ingleside for purchasing healthy chickens. Always introduce two new chickens together — never just one — to minimise bullying in the pecking order.
🏡 Setting Up for Chickens
Before you set up, check local council regulations.
Chicken Coop Essentials:
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Position the coop in a shady spot, ideally facing east for morning sun
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Use straw or woodchips for flooring
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Provide wide perches (4–5 cm) using natural branches
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Install nesting boxes with external access for collecting eggs
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Clean out droppings weekly to reduce ammonia and prevent respiratory issues
Outdoor Area:
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Offer a digging and foraging zone with scraps like pasta, veggies, and greens
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Add a dust bath area for natural skin and feather maintenance
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Clear foraging zones weekly and compost the waste
🚧 Free-Range or Fenced?
Unfenced chickens will:
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Roam freely and often gather near your back door
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Leave sticky droppings (5 cm wide) that attract flies and smell
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Require daily clean-up to prevent garden hygiene issues
To contain your flock:
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Fencing must be at least 1.8 m to prevent flying out
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Wing clipping helps for lower fences (must be done regularly)
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Protect against foxes, feral cats, and even sea eagles
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Use strong chicken wire and close the coop securely at night
🍽 Feeding Your Chickens
Chickens thrive on:
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High-quality pellets, dispensed to avoid waste and contamination
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Fresh greens like grass, parsley, spinach, and veggie scraps
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Occasional pasta or whole grains
Recommended local suppliers:
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New Leaf Nursery (Ingleside)
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Horseland (Terrey Hills)
Provide clean water via dispenser to prevent spills and contamination.
❌ Foods to Avoid:
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Avocado
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Onion & garlic
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Meat & bones
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Green potatoes
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Coffee, citrus, or rhubarb
⚠️ Hazards:
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Chickens love to peck — keep polystyrene, plastic, and toxins out of reach. Eating non-food items can lead to serious illness.
🐓 Monitoring Chicken Health
A healthy chicken has:
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Bright, alert eyes
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A vibrant, upright comb
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Consistent weight and droppings
Signs of Illness:
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Noisy or laboured breathing
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Diarrhoea
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Swollen belly
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Drooping comb or wings
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Difficulty standing or walking
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Sudden weight loss
Regular weighing and observation can catch problems early.
🩺 Need Help with a Sick Chicken?
Our experienced vets at Pittwater Animal Hospital are here to help. We can advise on care, prescribe medications, and in some cases provide hospitalisation for intensive support.
👇 Make an Appointment with the Vet →
📞 Or call us on (02) 9913 7979
