1)Keep it Clean! - That goes for their pen, the waterer, and most importantly, the air they breathe.  For show birds, good biosecurity measures are always a plus, too. (For more information about biosecurity, contact the UC Davis Agricultural Extension. They have all sorts of pamphlets and guidelines regarding this. Good information!)


2)Make Life Worth Living! - That means make their housing bright and airy, not depressing.  Treat them gently and make sure to keep them free of parasites, too. As a final tip, give them something to do during the day.  Throw some grass clumps in their pen, give them some tasty treats, or better yet, let them stretch their wings and legs on free range every so often.

3)Nourish Them! - As the provider, you must provide them with adequate nutrition.  Whether on mash or free range, make sure the birds get all the nutrients they need.  This is especially critical for the hens coming into lay.  Make sure they are getting enough calcium by providing oystershell supplements.  I also recommend that you worm them (Piperazine can be used on chickens! Ask for the proper dosage, though).


To learn about the ideal Belgian Bearded d'Anver, and other wonderful breeds (such as Old English, Sebrights, and Hamburgs), I also recommend the American Poultry Association Standard Book.  They have wonderful color pictures and detailed descriptions about the bird's color, shape, and history.

Click here to get the Book.

See my links (on the Home page) for more on caring for poultry.