Recommended
More Related Content
Similar to Chicken Health for Small Farms Program
Similar to Chicken Health for Small Farms Program (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Chicken Health for Small Farms Program
- 1. Chicken Health CCE Small Farms Program 2020
- 2. The life cycle of typical chicken
- 3. Chicks Health Issues: Chicks are really tough BUT they must have a few things! Food Clean Water Ability to Keep Warm And Access to these things Predators: Rats are the most common but all animals enjoy birds at the nugget stage Make sure they can’t burrow under your brooder Etc. If having Cocci problems try deep bedding packs Watch how the chicks position themselves in the brooder, this will tell you a lot
- 4. Teenage Chickens Health Issues splayed leg syndrome Predators These birds have not fully expressed their complete chickeness and are not yet fully feathered or afraid of predators. These birds are most likely outside the brooder and exploring which puts them at risk of predation Etc. Still very vulnerable to weather fluctuations because they are not fully feathered yet
- 5. Broilers Health Issues Predators We will get into this later but this is where you will learn about the mistakes you made when designing your housing. These are slow, plump birds and easy targets for every predator. Cornish cross can die from heart attacks as they grow to fast and too fat too quick…limiting feed may be necessary towards the end of grow out Crosses are very susceptible to heat problems so make sure they have shade and unlimited access to cool water as the summer hits
- 6. Layers Health Issues Calcium deficiency Egg binding Cannibalism Mites Predators These are the most savvy of the farm chickens. Best case is to have roosters integrated into the flock. Aerial predators are the biggest risk…there is something to be said for breeding the survivors Etc. 2 yearsish is their highly productive age limit
- 7. Anatomy of a chicken biological systems Anatomy and Physiology of Poultry Parts and Purpose What is different about the bird compared to mammals? Feathers Lack teeth Lay eggs Float and fly Waste excreted from only one orifice
- 9. The Most Critical Aspect of Chicken Health Is Observation
- 10. The scoop on poop...what is “normal” Normal can have a huge range from pretty solid to quite soft. Blood is NEVER normal Chickens do not urinate Urates on feces look white
- 11. Abnormal Poops
- 12. Healthy Birds are Not… Covered in Parasites Thin (tough to tell through feathers) Discharging from their nose or eyes Breathing abnormally Showing dirty vents or build of feathers around the vent (pasty butt)
- 13. The Molt Birds will usually molt at 12-18 months during the fall Molting replaces all of their feathers Birds will stop laying during the molt Starts at neck and works down and around You can stop the molt using lights
- 15. Bumble foot
- 16. egg yolk peritonitis/ egg bound
- 17. Ovarian Tumors
- 18. Impacted Crop/ Sour Crop
- 20. Bite Wounds Broken Bones
- 21. Lice and Mites
- 22. Respiratory diseases-mycoplasma, Infectious Rhinotracheitis
- 23. Fowl Pox
- 24. COMMON HEALTH ISSUES Health/disease •Buy chicks vaccinated for Marek’s and Newcastle •Quarantine all new birds for at least 2 weeks Parasites – internal and external •Coccidia •Lice •Mites •Prevention is the best method Keep things clean and dry
- 25. The Role of Nutrition in Preventing Disease Supplement not Substitute
- 26. Homeopathy and Treating Chickens This is all things to do before they get sick Probiotics Apple cider vinegar Diatomaceous earth Garlic
- 27. The quarantine Pen and adding new animals This is all things to do before they get sick Probiotics Apple cider vinegar Diatomaceous earth garlic
- 28. How to Find a Vet?
- 29. BIOSECURITY 6 biosecurity tips from APHIS – USDA •Keep your distance •Keep it clean •Don’t haul disease home •Don’t borrow disease from your neighbor •Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases •Report sick birds • A minimum of 30 days, with 2 clear fecal samples and no signs of illness is suggested. ANY signs of illness and the time should be reset to day one.
- 30. Length of time diseases remain active Some mites can survive for 6 months without a host but more common time frame is 4-6 weeks
- 31. HOW TO DEAL WITH COLD WEATHER •Keep water from freezing •Add a couple handfuls of scratch to diet for extra energy •Insulate with extra bedding •Eliminate drafts •Watch for frostbite Utilize wind breaks Take water out at night to avoid damp litter Let’s talk about lights in the Coop
- 32. HOW TO DEAL WITH EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER •Provide cool, clean water at all times •Provide shade •Feed during the coolest times of the day •Make sure the coop is well-ventilated with adequate air flow •Don’t overcrowd
- 33. Predators All manner of critter from land to sea to sky will take an interest in making meal of your chickens. It is important to have a plan before you are aware of the predation. Prevention is the best medicine. Be proactive with setting traps and checking your housing Lethal tactics may be necessary to protect your flock Watch out for neighborhood dogs
- 34. Daytime: dogs, foxes, hawks Night: raccoons, possums, owls, coyotes, fishers Limit tree/bush cover around house Predators don’t like to travel across open ground Secure coop, especially at night Use hexagonal chicken wire with 1” openings - layer if necessary Cover vents and windows with ¼” hardware cloth Screened outdoor runs Cover bottom of coop with chicken wire For info on specific wildlife, contact DEC •http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/607.html Predator Descriptions