Document type article of lémanbleu.tv
Author: ATS
Preview: About 70,000 households in Switzerland keep chickens privately and the trend is increasing. However, the owners do not always provide for the specific needs of their poultry. The federal government and the Swiss Animal Protection Service (SAP) are reminding the public of the basic rules to follow.
Chickens are popular, the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FOVV) and the Swiss Animal Protection Service (SAP) told reporters in Bern on Tuesday. However, the cantonal veterinary services and the SAP observe that private individuals are not always following the regulations.
Particularly important is the fact that registration of these animals is compulsory and helps to prevent the spread of epizootic diseases such as bird flu.
In the wild, chickens live in groups and they should therefore not be kept singly. They are not pets and do not belong in an apartment. In order to meet the needs of their species, they need to be able to scratch the ground, peck and take dust baths. Ideally, they should have access to an outdoor run.
60m2
For three to six chickens, an area of 60m2 is ideally required, incorporating a coop, a caged area and a grassy run. The floor area of the coop should be at least 2m2.
The coop should be equipped with nesting boxes, as well as perches for sleeping. The grassed area should be fenced off to prevent predators such as foxes from entering.
Chickens are omnivores, but they should not be fed just anything. Complete feeds, in the form of meal or pellets, work well as a main food. Seed mixtures, peelings and fruit from bushes should be fed only in small quantities. Food scraps are not appropriate.
Good hygiene is important to protect chickens from disease and parasites. Healthy chickens are lively, with intact plumage, feet and footpads. Sick chickens are listless. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
Ten years of life
The purchase of chickens should be carefully considered, as they can live up to ten years. Buyers should visit their supplier beforehand: the hen house must be clean and the animals in good health. OSAV and the PSA advise against buying hen breeds displaying characteristics associated with extreme breeding methods or animals from abroad.
These recommendations can be found on the https://www.mespoulesjenprendssoin.ch/ website, on social media and in this leaflet.
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