Have you ever had chickens that never got sick?

[Debbie292d]

I wasn't hatching/buying chicks, integrating, no one got sick/injured so there wasn't really anything to post about.

Exactly. That's why some of us have threads in Pictures & Stories of My Flock so that we can post about our flocks, good, bad, or otherwise.

 

[I Miss u Loaf]

I have only had three chickens get legitimately sick (Prolapse, Vent Gleet, Sour crop), but I've had probably around 150 chickens maybe more. the three sicknesses listed above did end with my chimkins death but only because my parents neglected to let me take them to a vet that probably could have saved them. we also raise organic, so no medicines. but only three getting sick is not bad, considering that those ailments are relatively uncommon.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Have you ever had chickens that never got sick?

That's like asking if you've ever known someone who has never gotten sick... But my answer is yes - ones that were killed by a predator or butchered for meat. The rest have had illnesses that range from coccidiosis to mite infestations to respiratory infections to ascites and peritonitis. Some are genetic, some are from the environment, and the illnesses are sporadic...just like in people.

The healthiest chicken I've ever had is an Easter Egger. She has been sick only once in her 9 years of life if I recall correctly, and it was when she was a very young chick. This is very rare.

I've had chickens long enough that I've had one die of "old age." Everyone knows that "dying of old age" is not really a thing - they get sick and die of organ failure. Mine appeared to be in heart failure for a few weeks then died of a heart attack.

 

[McChooky]

I raise other chickens besides brown leghorns but I like them best because they're so healthy and independent. I have to keep a couple 'broody' hens to hatch their eggs and raise the chicks but its worth it

 

[McChooky]

I chose to raise/breed silkies who are more prone to vitamin deficiencies and diseases like Marek's.

In nearly a decade, we've lost one to liver disease (vet affirmed), and other than treating one with a persistent URI (upper respiratory infection), a few other losses were just happenstance. I don't count the several splayed legs and neurological issues over the years, or other physical ailments some have come up with. Those are few and far between, and we just treat them.

Sticking to clean, secure, well-ventilated coops, fresh water, good feed, healthy treats to a minimum, and plenty of room per bird in the coop/run are the basics. Occasional probiotics and vitamin boosts can help.

Choosing to raise silkies is a testimony to your courage and commitment to raising them .They can be more difficult than most but by meeting their needs you've proven it can be done.