Why keep chickens if they're so disease prone?

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree with Woodmort and ARose4Heaven
Disease can happen anywhere, but rare if chickens are housed well, pastured well, new birds quarantined, etc.
Stay away from this section unless there is a problem you need help with.
I've lost birds but never an adult and always an individual. I would have investigated if it had been multiples. Someone on BYC said that if dogs died at the rate chickens do, there wouldn't be very many dog owners.

You mentioned respiration issues a couple of times. IMO that is almost always a result of poor coop ventilation. I have no scientific evidence but, knowing lots of backyard pet chicken owners, I suspect it is the result of trying to keep the chickens warm in winter which again IMO is not the thing to be concerned about unless you live in MI, WY, AK or somewhere like that.

 

[Zoey]

Ever looked in a human medical book ?

There are about 40 common parasites, including flukes, that can invade almost any part of the body..

and with all the bacteria, viruses, disease , cancer ... getting the idea ?

How many times have you had the flu, ? they say an avg person gets 6 colds a year on avg ...

Chickens are no different ...

Not likely to pick up all these things at once, or at all..

Keep them cleaned up after, and fresh clean water and containers, and well fed, and you will be well on your way to a healthy flock..
Also limit their exposure to other birds, and people with their own birds as visitors to you flock...

 

[jmc]

Quote:

 

[silkiechicken]

Everything living is disease prone. Going into the emergencies section to get a glimpse at the prevalence of disease is like going to a hospital to get a glimpse at the prevalence of human sickness.

 

[MissJenny]

No diseases here -- neuroses galore: This hen is afraid of that hen who prefers veggies to fruits as opposed to the new babies who won't go near vegetables or fruit, but they prefer to eat in the dark. They are all healthy -- crazy, but healthy.

Jenny

 

[mississippifarmboy]

I can't see that chickens are any more prone to getting sick than any other living thing. I have always thought that taking good care of them, plenty of good food, clean water, fresh air, etc.. would keep 99% of them from ever getting sick to start with.
Just my opinion.
Been raising chickens for 40+ years, never had a major illness in our chickens. Do we ever lose any? of course we do! We raise hundreds a year and every now and then we lose one to a predator, maybe a brooder chick will get crushed if he's weak, or about once or twice a year we will just find one dead. It happens.

 

[chickens egg me on]

I agree with others here...disease happens. However I believe that probably at least 50% of disease in mammals is due to problems in the gut. I give my chickens yogurt about once a week. It's easy to make and cheap and my birds are healthy as can be! Don't let your fears do you in. Chickens are wonderful. They build character...at least that's the excuse my family makes for me!

 

[jmc]

Quote:
very funny!!!

 

[jmc]

I just want to apologize to Delaware Silkie. I was a bit disrespectful in my reply to her (?) innocent question about which breeds of ducks i was raising. I'm sorry. I don't want to make any of you good folks feel bad.

I have accordingly changed my reply above.

 

[tammye]

you can really get scared at first if you read all the threads in this section, I know I was, but almost two years into it and I have had one hen with a walking problem that is now fine and that's it, well besides feather plucking, but that's another story.

I have a question for all you long time chicken owners: I read alot about dusting and worming chickens, even sick ones, and using lots of antibiotics. I am torn by all this , yes I want the girls to be happy and healthy, but I would not do any of those things to myself unless I had conformation of an illness, what are your thoughts on this. Thanks