Speckledhen's Ten Commandments of Good Flock Management

[Soonermagic254]

I do not mean to sound dumb but what is the kindest way to cull a chicken. I am soft hearted but will do what should be done

Snap it’s neck

 

[speckledhen]

Snap it’s neck

You'd have to elaborate on that. Many do not have the strength in their hands to do that. It's not always that simple.

 

[janiedoe]

I clean the waterers twice daily, the hens prefer to drink what spills on the ground. Silly hens.

Mine love the spills too. It is excited to scratch in the mud!

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Excited to read this. Meanwhile, I stopped by your YT and commented. Was very good to see you, lady.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, hey! Glad to see you here as well. Stay cool (if that's even possible now, ugh). I see you're in GA so you're also a neighbor!

 

[ValarieF]

Chickens may be livestock or they may be pets, but they deserve and desire attention and care. If you are going to maintain a healthy backyard flock, there are certain rules that should be followed. For those of you who frequently PM me for advice, or for those of you who are new to chicken-keeping, here is the "Speckledhen Method" in a nutshell.

Speckledhen's Ten Commandments of Good Flock Management

1) Keep a clean, dry environment...change bedding as needed, watch out for leaky waterers/windows/roofs, etc.

2) Fresh air/ventilation is essential..poop and respiration add moisture in the air. Ventilation overhead, not at roost or floor level.

3) Provide fresh water, daily. Would you take a sip out of the waterer? If not, clean it.

4) Give fresh, nutritious food, formulated for the age/function of the birds

5) Provide a safe, predator-proofed, uncrowded coop and run...they depend on you for protection

6) Periodically, check over each bird in the flock for lice, mites, wounds, etc.

7) Practice good biosecurity..disinfect shoes before and after visting the feedstore and shows, quarantine new birds, etc Under no circumstances, sell, trade, or give away a bird that shows sign of infection or has contacted another bird who shows signs of infection, or comes from a flock that has shown signs of infection, now or in the past.

8) At the first sign of contagious respiratory illness, i.e., discharges from nose or eyes or bad smell, cull, cull, cull...birds don't get colds, per se; they contract diseases, many of which make them carriers for their lifetime. That means they are able to infect others even if they seem to recover themselves. See Rule #7.

9) Do not medicate unnecessarily, including wormers and antibiotics

10) DO YOUR RESEARCH! There are numerous books and articles profiling poultry management and poultry disease. Read, study and then formulate a plan of action, should the worst happen, before it happens.


Happy Chicken-Keeping!

Great information but I disagree with rule 8. I have seen many chickens get a respitory infection, recover, and go back to their flock and the flock was fine, you do not need to kill an animal just because its sick.

 

[ValarieF]

Hey You dont know me, and dont put all vets under that catagory. I know one off the top of my head and can contact that can tell me whet I need to know. I have worked with animals all my life especially birds ans was trained by east valley wild life and GAme and Fish to andminister iv's shots and stitches. So before you go off on a rant yyou better know thw person your referring to. Im done with this subject and yes I have euthanized birds before because it was necessary and they were suffering.