Upkeep of chickens

[jackhorn01]

Very new to chickens. Basically what I am needing to know, is what kind of precautionary measures are essential for their upkeep. Main things to keep a watchful eye for in the way of medical issues and also, are there vaccinations chickens are supposed to have or wormer or other medicinal things you are supposed to give them on a regular basis or do they only require things like this when they are sick?

 

[featherz]

Very new to chickens. Basically what I am needing to know, is what kind of precautionary measures are essential for their upkeep. Main things to keep a watchful eye for in the way of medical issues and also, are there vaccinations chickens are supposed to have or wormer or other medicinal things you are supposed to give them on a regular basis or do they only require things like this when they are sick?

There are many different management skills on here, from 'all natural' to extreme prevention. My PERSONAL opinion - I don't vaccinate or worm on a regular basis, but I do have an 'animal medical kit' I put together should issues arise. There are a bunch of threads on here to go through 'essentials' for your kit. At the least, probably first aid supplies - vet wrap, blood stop, blu-kote etc. Chickens are actually pretty hardy critters! Some things depend on your area - if you live in a really heavy mosquito area, you might want to vaccinate for fowl pox.. Very damp muddy area, possibly consider some form of worming, etc.

I bought a ton of stuff for my kit when I first started and never use any of it, so you will get the hang of what you need.

Best thing, that pretty much everyone agrees on - practice biosecurity and you will have a lot fewer problems. IF you buy birds from others - don't throw them in with your flock, all new arrivals must have 30 days in quarantine (I don't buy birds from people at all - hatchery or hatch them here).

 

[aggiemae]

Assuming that you have a feed store nearby you can get by with some very basic supplies. I have electrolyte powder ( to add to water) natural vinegar, sharp scissors (for wing clipping) and blood stop. Though I haven't used it I have insect powder for mites/lice on hand since our hens free range. If you have to order supplies by mail you might want some wormer and antibiotics on hand.

 

[flewdacoop]

agree one hundred percent get everything done that you need before you get your chickens including the coop, that is where the money goes, the rest is cheap and easy

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Hi!

The best way you can catch illness is to watch your flock for a few minutes every day. When you are going out to check them, whistles once or twice. This will cause them to stop making noise to listen. You can hear coughs, sneezes, or other abnormal noises if present. Then, watch to see if any of them stay away from others, or are resting an abnormal amount. Watch for runny noses or any swelling on the face. Also observe feather quality. If one seems especially ragged, part the feathers under the wings and the vent area to check for lice eggs or mites.

It would be good to have the Marek's vaccine for day old chicks, the one for coccidiosis isn't really necessary because instead you can give medicated starter. There are various other vaccines to be given at many different ages, such as Infectious Bronchitis, but most small flock owners do not give them.

My advice would be to give a broad spectrum wormer at least twice a year. In my opinion, one of the best preventative practices is to clean your coop more than once per year. This will be so much better for their respiratory systems and their general health. Also, don't let them get bored. Bored chickens are chickens that will pick each other's feathers. If you don't free range or have a tractor, hang a cabbage up in the run or throw them vegetables often.

Lastly, keep a first aid kit in an easily accessible location. Include Vetricyn, Blu-Kote, Wonder Dust, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Vaseline, sterile gauze and gauze pads, Vetrap, Picking Preventative, Garden and Poultry Dust or Sevin, Electrolytes and Probiotics. Also keep something you can use as a hospital cage like a dog crate. A chick sized feeder and waterer would be good also. Then if something happened, throw some shavings in, fill the feeders and waterers, and voila! Hospital cage.

Good luck!

 

[jackhorn01]

What is blood stop and blu kote?

 

[jackhorn01]

Also, is the apc in the water for laying hens something thats always good to do or is that just a remedy for something?

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Blu-Kote is an spray on antiseptic. The blue color may help chickens not to pick at a wound. Blood stop is a stypic powder. ACV can be put in the water 2-3 times a week. It helps them deal with hot/cold weather by aiding their metabolism. It also prevents algae in the waterer. Use it at a rate of 1 tablespoon to a gallon of water.

 

[aggiemae]

ACV helps cut down on slime in your water bucket but that does not mean that you shouldn't be changing it often and cleansing it thoroughly each time. Keeping the food and water container clean can keep disease from spreading.

And I agree that you need to spend a few minutes with your flock at least twice a day, no matter what the weather is like or how busy you get, because they are depending on you to care for them properly.

chickens had blood feathers, the blood stop is used if one get pulled. It's also handy if you clip your hems nails and hit the quick.

I never planned to trim nails but we have a very fussy Maron who's nail were becoming lethal and her legs and nails are black so I couldn't see the quick. The nai trimming was easier than I expected and blood stop worked great.

 

[jackhorn01]

Whats the quick and elaborate more on the blood feathers. lol I'm new to this.