What is one thing you figured out about chickens that you wish you knew when you began?

[avkootz]

We are constantly learning and improving our routine with the chickens and their set-up, as well as learning about their different personalities and the needs/preferences of different breeds. What is something you have learned about keeping chickens through experience that would have been helpful to know back when you first started?

 

[Kiki]

I think everyone should learn about biosecurity and chicken diseases before they get chickens.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wish I had known about Mereks in particular. Haven't has it yet that I'm aware of, but I only learned about it this past year after over 10 years of keeping birds. It's nothing short of a miracle that I didn't have something disastrous happen before I knew about it

 

[avkootz]

I think everyone should learn about biosecurity and chicken diseases before they get chickens.

I agree, the entire household is very hyper-aware of cleanliness and hygiene, so this was the first thing we researched, though I am probably the most paranoid of the three of us about what's on an egg that just plopped out before it comes inside.

 

[cherrynberry]

I agree, the entire household is very hyper-aware of cleanliness and hygiene, so this was the first thing we researched, though I am probably the most paranoid of the three of us about what's on an egg that just plopped out before it comes inside.

Not just trasmitting to humans. New birds can transmitt diseases to other birds.

 

[NatJ]

Build the coop and run BEFORE you buy those chicks
(I actually learned it from my parents' experience, which saved me having to make that mistake myself as an adult.)

 

[TheHenDen]

That they literally sh!t everywhere! And anywhere and your dogs will find it gourmet And that they can and will destroy your garden/plants/flowers in nothing flat and use it as their dirt bath. Even though you made up their own really cool personal dirt bath… lol

 

[cherrynberry]

For me, it will definitely be diseases, predators, and mistakes in gender and breed.

I always like to keep medication on hand. Just in my first few years of owning chickens, I have dealt with several issues and its definitely good to be prepared.

Predator-proofing is really important. Chicken wire is not good enough for this. Harware clothe is the best stuff one can get.

Another thing is that hatcheries will commonly sell cockerels for pullets or have a bird wrongly sexed. And many hatcheries may also give out wrong breeds.

 

[cherrynberry]

Here would be my go-to list. I keep all of these on hand.

The list is from most important to least important.

1.) Liquid Corid (This is for the treatment of coccidiosis)
2.) Vetericyn, neosporin with NO pain killer, and or honey (Vetericyn and ORIGINAL neosporin are both for wound care. Vetericyn is more of an antibacterial spray. ORIGINAL neosporin is more of an antibacterial cream. Honey is optional here, it helps wound recover, but is not as great on large wounds, only for small scrapes, its also bad because it attracts flies).
3.) Valbezen, Safeguard, etc. (Safeguard and Valbezen are both chicken dewormers. They may say "for goats, sheep, cattle," but they are used for chickens off label).
4.) Vaseline/petroleum jelly (Treatment for scaly leg mites)
5.) Tweezers (for picking off maggots from a bird with flystrike).
6.) Monistat 7 (This is an anti fungal treatment for sour crop).
7.) Coconut oil (For cooking for chickens and for impacted crop).
8.) Dog crate and dog pads (This is for separating sick birds).
9.) Extra syringes (To give medications orally with).
10.) Rooster booster, save-a-chick electrolytes, etc. (Immune booster/supplement).
11.) Towels, blow dryer, scissors, etc. (For washing birds).



Edited to add: I can't believe it! I forgot permethrin dust!
12.) This one is pretty important. Permethrin dust is used for external mites in poultry. Stuff like northern fowl mites. It also deals with lice. Great stuff. Much better than DE as it can deal with infestations too.

 

[Kiki]

I agree, the entire household is very hyper-aware of cleanliness and hygiene, so this was the first thing we researched, though I am probably the most paranoid of the three of us about what's on an egg that just plopped out before it comes inside.

I'm talking about chicken diseases that are spread from bird to bird.
If you spend a bit of time in the emergency section here on the website you'll see how easily people infect their flock by bringing in outside birds.