I want to start doing chicken health inspections, so I have some questions and I am soliciting advise, please.
So starting with the chickens, they are seven weeks, been in the coop a little over a month, assorted breeds, one rooster.
So I get a chick, and look her over well, both sides of body, under wings, vent area, legs and feet. Question: Will I know if they have the scaley leg mite? Do I need a magnifying glass, or is it obvious? If bird is not itchy, then I doubt she had this mite, is that generally logical thinking?
I know to check for a bright eye, but do I pull lower lid down to check for red tissues, or just leave that as long as she is not displaying illness?
Do I need to open mouth and look in there? Use flashlight to look in ears? I will check under wings, and breastbone for weight? What is proper for that? How will I know fat/skinny/good weight?
Srarting on creepy crawlies: Do chickens only get the fleas that stick, or can they also get regular fleas that run? Can they get so itchy that they make hot spots like dogs? Do I need to pick thru every feather, or will mites and lice show themselves. I mean, if lice or mites are present, will they infest bird's entire body, or do the stick to one area? Say like under a wing?
What about nails? Is this also like a dogs? Clip when they look long anf hope you dont hit the quick?
Hoe often do some of you do nails?
Last question I promisel Last question in this post. Are these birds gonna hold it against me? Pawing all over them like yhis? Do they hold grudges like parrots?
Thank you so much in advance for answering any questions, advising mr on any topic.
Lisa
So starting with the chickens, they are seven weeks, been in the coop a little over a month, assorted breeds, one rooster.
So I get a chick, and look her over well, both sides of body, under wings, vent area, legs and feet. Question: Will I know if they have the scaley leg mite? Do I need a magnifying glass, or is it obvious? If bird is not itchy, then I doubt she had this mite, is that generally logical thinking?
I know to check for a bright eye, but do I pull lower lid down to check for red tissues, or just leave that as long as she is not displaying illness?
Do I need to open mouth and look in there? Use flashlight to look in ears? I will check under wings, and breastbone for weight? What is proper for that? How will I know fat/skinny/good weight?
Srarting on creepy crawlies: Do chickens only get the fleas that stick, or can they also get regular fleas that run? Can they get so itchy that they make hot spots like dogs? Do I need to pick thru every feather, or will mites and lice show themselves. I mean, if lice or mites are present, will they infest bird's entire body, or do the stick to one area? Say like under a wing?
What about nails? Is this also like a dogs? Clip when they look long anf hope you dont hit the quick?
Hoe often do some of you do nails?
Last question I promisel Last question in this post. Are these birds gonna hold it against me? Pawing all over them like yhis? Do they hold grudges like parrots?
Thank you so much in advance for answering any questions, advising mr on any topic.
Lisa