Raising Chickens in March.

March is a turning point of the chicken-keeping year. 

1. Feed hens well!

As daylight increases, your hens' hormones kick back into action and egg production begins to rise again. After the slower winter months, this is when good nutrition really matters.

Healthy spring laying depends on:

• enough high-quality feed
• plenty of calcium for strong shells
• careful use of treats.

If you're hoping to use any of your hens to hatch her own chicks later in the season, nutrition becomes even more important. Research shows that the quality of a laying hen's diet directly affects the strength and hatchability of her eggs.

What to do.

1. Reduce any extra lighting. If you added artificial light over winter to encourage laying, now is the time to gradually reduce it. Cut back by a few minutes each day until natural daylight is doing the job. More than 17 hours of light can actually reduce egg production⁽¹⁾.

2. Offer the best quality food you can afford. Layer feed provides the balanced vitamins and minerals hens need at this time of year. Free ranging is wonderful, but it should not replace a complete feed.

3. Go easy on treats. A few extras are fine, but remember: treats should be occasional. Too many can lead to overweight hens, which in turn can cause serious health problems.

4. Add a little extra protein if needed. Spring laying takes energy. Small amounts of high-protein foods such as mealworms or a homemade protein treat can give hens a helpful boost.

5. Don’t forget calcium. As egg production increases, so does the need for calcium. Offer crushed oyster shell in a separate dish so hens can take what they need. Never mix it into the main feed: they will regulate their own intake.

For more on the difference between oyster shell and grit, see my full guide here.

2. Spring health checks and parasite prevention.

With warmer weather on the way, March is the perfect time to give your flock a proper "spring MOT".

Over winter we tend to do quick visual checks rather than thorough inspections. Now that hens are becoming more active again, it's important to slow down and look carefully for any small problems before they turn into big issues.

A good health check will help you spot:

• early signs of lice or mites
• weight loss or unexplained lethargy
• changes in comb colour or condition
• dirty vents or unusual droppings
• small injuries or sore feet.

Catching issues now means they're much easier, and cheaper, to deal with.

What to do.

6. Carry out a full flock health check. Pick up each bird, feel her breastbone to check body condition, look at feet and legs, examine feathers and skin, and check eyes, comb and vent.

For a step-by-step guide and a printable checklist, see my complete health check article here.

7. Look out for external parasites. As temperatures rise, lice and mites begin to reappear. These can quickly weaken hens and affect laying if not dealt with promptly.

8. Pay special attention to red mite. Red mite is one of the most common spring problems. These tiny pests hide in cracks in the coop during the day and feed on chickens at night.

If you notice hens reluctant to go into the coop, pale combs, or restless behaviour, red mite may be to blame.

Learn how to recognise and treat red mite here.

9. Freshen up dust bathing areas. Good dust baths help chickens keep parasites under control naturally. Top up their favourite spots with dry soil, sand or wood ash so they can do their own pest management.

10. Check feet and perches. Damp winter conditions can lead to sore feet or the beginnings of bumblefoot. Give perches a quick clean and smooth off any rough edges that could cause injury.

Spending a little time on these checks now will save you a lot of trouble later in the season, and help your flock head into spring feeling their best.

3. How to source chicks if you don't want to hatch your own.

Not everyone wants to incubate eggs at home, and that's absolutely fine. March is actually the ideal time to start planning if you'd like to add new birds to your flock later in spring by letting someone else do the hatching, and adding baby chicks.

Most hatcheries and breeders begin offering chicks from late March onwards, so a little forward planning now will make everything easier.

What to do.

11. Decide which breeds you want. Think about what matters most to you:

• lots of eggs
• calm, friendly personalities
• cold or heat hardiness
• coloured egg basket
• good pets for children.

Take some time to research breeds that suit your climate and lifestyle before you buy.

12. Browse reputable hatcheries. If you're in the USA, hatcheries like Cackle can be a convenient way to buy chicks. They usually offer the widest range of breeds and allow you to order well in advance.

Hatchery catalogues are a great way to compare different types of chickens and plan your future flock.

13. Look for local breeders. Buying from a local breeder means healthy, hardy chicks that are already suited to your area. Poultry shows, farming magazines and breed-specific Facebook groups are all good places to start.

Breeders also love to talk about their birds, so don't be shy about asking questions!

14. Check your local feed store. Many stores sell chicks in spring. Just be aware that these are often "mixed run" (a mix of males and females), even if they're advertised as females. If you definitely don't want roosters, ask lots of questions before you buy.

15. Prepare if you're ordering chicks by mail. Mail-order chicks can arrive safely and happily, as long as you're ready for them.

• Choose a delivery date when you’ll be at home.
• Track the parcel carefully.
• Collect them as soon as they arrive.
• Have the brooder already warmed and waiting.

Newly arrived chicks need immediate access to water, chick crumbs, and warmth. A little preparation makes the whole process much less stressful for you, and for them.

Cackle have an excellent section on how to care for chicks arriving by mail. 

4. Prepare for predators.

Spring doesn't just wake up our chickens, it wakes up their predators too.

As wildlife begins raising young, foxes, raccoons, rats and other opportunists are all on the hunt for easy meals. Unfortunately, chickens (and especially chicks) are high on the menu.

March is the ideal month to double-check that your coop and run are as secure as possible before the predator families strike.

What to do.

16. Check your coop, run and fencing. Walk around the entire perimeter looking for weak spots, gaps or holes that may have appeared over winter. Weasel-type predators can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces, so check everything thoroughly.

Make sure wire mesh is firmly attached and buried several inches into the ground. Adding an L-shaped "skirt" of wire at ground level is an excellent way to stop predators digging their way in.

17. Upgrade locks and closures. Basic latches are no match for clever paws. Fit padlocks or predator-proof catches to all doors and pop holes so nothing can be opened at night.

18. Get rid of rodents. At this time of year, rats and mice are also looking for food. Be sure to protect your chickens, and your family, against them.

I have a whole series of articles about rats, here.

5. Start seedlings that chickens will love.

March is when the garden begins to stir again. Planning ahead now means you'll have plenty of healthy, inexpensive treats for your flock later in the year.

Even if the weather is still chilly where you live, there's a lot you can start doing indoors or under cover.

And let's be honest, there's nothing nicer than spending some still chilly evenings browsing through seed catalogues, planning your chicken-friendly veggie and fruit garden.

What to do.

19. Start easy vegetables from seed. Many chicken-friendly plants can be sown indoors in March and planted out as soon as the soil warms.

Good early choices include:

• lettuces and salad greens: hardy varieties will grow virtually all year. And despite the name, "summer crisp" lettuces do well in the early spring. 
• spinach: another early starter which does better when planted this early. I plant into large containers, as the roots from spinach are long and transplant into soil better when grown that way.
• kale: packed with nutrients, kale actually tastes better when it's transplanted in the early Spring.
• tomatoes: I start some seedlings in early March in my outdoor greenhouse, and different varieties next month. Try a hanging basket: being above chicken height means they can't touch the poisonous vines, but will instantly eat any fallen, ripe tomatoes!

These are simple to grow, nutritious for your flock, and far cheaper than buying treats later in the season.

20. Plant sunflowers and beneficial flowers. Sunflowers are one of the best crops you can grow for chickens. The seeds are packed with nutrients, and growing your own is far more economical than buying them in bags.

Marigolds and nasturtiums are also excellent additions. They’re easy to grow, brighten up the garden, and provide healthy snacks your hens will enjoy.

Starting a few pots now will give you a head start for the warmer months ahead.

A little effort in March means a happier, healthier flock, and a prettier garden, all summer long.

Flowers to start now for chicken health later!

Other pages you may find useful.

Sources and further reading.

1. Ostrander, C and Turner, C.N.: Effect of various intensities of light on egg production of single comb white Leghorn pullets. Pub. Journal of Poultry Science, 1962.