Chickens, just like any animal benefit from a little bit of health care. There are two things that we recommend particular attention is given to and they take just a couple of minutes per chicken each month. To make it easy to remember, we always do this the first week of each month.
Preventing Mites & Lice
Wild birds may have mites and could pass these on to your chickens. You can prevent this easily by applying mite powder to your birds once a month. Applying the powder is like applying talcum powder, simply shake under the wings and around the vent (under the tail at the back). This is where mites will gather if they are present, the powder helps stop this happening. The house should also be sprayed with a good mite spray at the same time as this will help kill mite eggs.
Preventing Internal Parasites
All animals need be treated for internal parasites. Chickens are no different, but where it is different is that you are eating their eggs so it is very important to use natural organic based products rather than introducing any chemicals. You can find these in on our online store.
We recommend Easyverm and this is a natural product for internal parasite control in poultry. Following the first week of the month guideline, this product should go in the chicken’s food or water for three consecutive days during that week. As long as their environment is kept reasonably clean that is all that is normally needed to keep on top of internal parasites.
Checking Your Chicken Is Healthy
Check on birds daily, when letting them out in the morning and then again in the afternoon. This gives you some guidelines of what to look for to ensure your hens are healthy.
Positive Health Signs
- Look clean, eating and drinking
- Interacting with the rest of the flock well
Negative Health Signs
- Dirty/ragged appearance
- Inactive/Hunched/Huddled
- Getting bullied by other chickens
- Closed eyes /Discharge from nasal area
If your chicken is poorly it is important to seek advice, either from a vet or an expert.