Feeling a bit freaked out - info overload

[proud-armywife]

i read the new posts everyday a few times a day and it's hard not to see how many posts are about sickness. I have 2 hens that are about 4 months old and 6 chicks that are just over a month old. I feed them organic crumble, grit, and water with braggs acv in it. I did start them on probiotic and electrolyte solution when chicks were a few days old but switched a few weeks after to acv. My silkie the older hen had poultry lice and I treated both birds I got them from the same breeder they are very close in age and hang out. Is there anything additional I need to be doing to avoid sickness? Precautionary measures I should be taking? In actuality what is the percentage of people that experience sickness? Are chickens fragile? Are the suseptible to getting sick? I'd it not if my chickens get sick but when they do? Any advice is appreciated ! Just want to do the right thing thanks!

 

[azygous]

Just try to relax and know you're doing everything right!

Chicks, if they've made it this far, are usually healthy over the following two or three years. After that time, chickens experience old age as we do, and their immune systems aren't as strong to ward off sickness, but most will be healthy and even continue to lay. I have some Welsummers who are laying almost daily and they're six years old.

Get to know your flock and the individuals. Any behavior change, as well as poop change, will signal to you that a chicken is sick or injured and that will give you a chance to step in with first aid or antibiotics to make it better.

I noticed a hen yesterday who was not eating and was sitting all day facing a corner of the run. As she got up to walk, I noticed she was acting like her left foot hurt. I examined it and found an infection under the scale just above her middle talon. I soaked it in epsom salts and then scraped out the infectious gunk from under the scale, packed it with antibiotic ointment and bandaged it to keep it clean. Then I started her on oral antibiotics.

Just be confident you will recognize trouble when it happens and enjoy your flock!

 

[snow5164]

My best help came from my local feed store. People who talk to chicken owners everyday and can tell you in simple terms what you need to be doing. Stop reading the posts everyday, you can get stressed out and there is more in your life than your chickens , right??also I have enjoyed having a book for reference , chickens for dummies and storeys chicken book ( Amazon) they have condensed answers for you. I am new at chickens but I do own a dog boarding kennel and I've learned to learn what you can , do your best always , then let it go

 

[snow5164]

Of course azygous is also Very helpful .his obvious experience and understanding of animals is amazing , you can pm people like him to reduce the clutter of all the advice on the new posts section.