What wellness checks do you do on your birds and what cadence?

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Trying to figure out how often I should be checking them over for things like mites or other issues. I'm sure there are some things that are quite visible, like if they're having bad poops, etc. but for the more hidden things.

 

[CurlyQuail]

Trying to figure out how often I should be checking them over for things like mites or other issues. I'm sure there are some things that are quite visible, like if they're having bad poops, etc. but for the more hidden things.

I like to do a general check over at the beginning and end of the day. I’ll look for weird poops or odd behavior while I fill up food and water. As for a more thorough look, I round up all my birds on Sunday (because that’s my day off) and feel them over, check feet, look at their vents, etc. If I’m concerned about anyone in particular, I’ll keep track of their weight as well. I’m sure this is a bit overkill, but I’ve always done this for my pet birds and I figured I had time for the breeders anyways. Most important thing I’ve learned: keep track of what’s normal and anything abnormal. I like to keep everything in a google doc with pictures but if your memory is better, take a mental note of what their normal behavior and appearance is.

 

[aart]

Trying to figure out how often I should be checking them over for things like mites or other issues. I'm sure there are some things that are quite visible, like if they're having bad poops, etc. but for the more hidden things.

I check maybe once a month for bugs...every few days if I find some and am treating.

My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I like to do a general check over at the beginning and end of the day. I’ll look for weird poops or odd behavior while I fill up food and water. As for a more thorough look, I round up all my birds on Sunday (because that’s my day off) and feel them over, check feet, look at their vents, etc. If I’m concerned about anyone in particular, I’ll keep track of their weight as well. I’m sure this is a bit overkill, but I’ve always done this for my pet birds and I figured I had time for the breeders anyways. Most important thing I’ve learned: keep track of what’s normal and anything abnormal. I like to keep everything in a google doc with pictures but if your memory is better, take a mental note of what their normal behavior and appearance is.

I think a weekly check sounds great! Plus it gets them more comfortable with being handled. What do you look for when you check them out? Assuming anything out of the ordinary, but mostly just bugs or injuries?

 

[CurlyQuail]

I think a weekly check sounds great! Plus it gets them more comfortable with being handled. What do you look for when you check them out? Assuming anything out of the ordinary, but mostly just bugs or injuries?

Mites, cuts (or even just traces of blood), sensitivity (I can usually tel from shrieking when I press an area or wriggling away when they would normal stay), lost feathers, weight loss (I don’t weight them weekly but if I can definitely feel a difference, I mark it down), and anything blocking their eyes like mucus or foam.

 

[RumneyRoost]

Many things will manifest as crop issues. I check for full crops every night when they’re on the roost. Every morning I do a quick feel to make sure all crops have emptied over night.
I also pay a lot of attention to poop.
I only have one who likes to be picked up, so she gets checked for things like mites/lice, bumblefoot, etc frequently. Everyone else gets checked monthly.