How to Take Care of a Game Hen as a Pet

Game hens make wonderful pets that actually do something dogs, cats and other household pets can't: they pay their own way by offering eggs to their owners. Game hens are also well known for having interesting personalities that make them endearing pets. You can spoil them, feed them treats and pet them, just like any other pet. Like dogs and cats, game hens also need daily care when they are kept as pets. Taking good care of your pet game hen will ensure that it is a valued member of your family for years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken coop
  • Chicken coop bedding
  • Nest
  • Waterer
  • Feeder
  • Chicken feed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a safe coop for your pet game hen to live in. My Pet Chicken recommends using 1/2-inch square hardware cloth to build the coop, which will keep predators like raccoons and other varmints out. Be sure to cover the top of the coop as well. If your coop doesn't have a floor, bury mesh fencing into the ground about 12 inches down to keep burrowing rodents from entering the coop. It should be at least 4 square feet if your game hen is allowed to roam freely during the day or 10 square feet if your game hen stays in the coop all day.

    • 2

      Hang a feeder and watering device at least 6 inches off the ground, recommends My Pet Chicken. Placing your game hen's food and water on the floor will allow your game hen to step in it, creating a mess for you and contaminating the food and water. Game hens tend to be picky about water if it's not clean, and a dehydrated game hen can die quickly. Feeders and watering devices can be purchased at your local farm supply store.

    • 3

      Check on your game hen daily to make sure it has enough food and water, as well as to collect any eggs. Food for your game hen can be purchased at your local farm supply store. If you want to make your own feed, be aware that game hens should not eat citrus fruits and peels, bones, any large serving of meat or rotten meat, garlic and onion, avocado skins and pits, raw potato skins, long cut grass or chocolate.

    • 4

      Change the bedding in the coop and clean out all the droppings at least once a month. The coop should be scrubbed and disinfected at least twice a year to ensure that bacteria is eliminated. Also remember to thoroughly clean the watering device and feeder at least twice a year, or more frequently if they look dirty.