Chicken keeping has become increasingly popular over the past few years. It is unfortunate that some people have done so without even conducting a basic amount of research on how to care for their flocks.
A lack of necessary care and attention leads to some birds languishing or dying. There is no doubt that you do not want this and that you can quite easily avoid it. Listed are some ways that can severely impact chicks' and chickens' health & survival, as well as measures you can take to avoid these problems.
In many cases, this is the leading cause of chick deaths. Your birds as well as your property are at risk if you do not set up the heat lamp correctly. Depressingly, heat lamps not secured properly cause fires in coops and barns.
As spring comes around, people start getting ready for the chicks by preparing the brooder, laying bedding, and heat lamps, among other things. During the first few weeks of their lives, chicks need heat of some kind to stay warm.
Ensure that the heat lamp is secured properly by double-checking and triple-checking it. In under 2 minutes, a lamp that falls onto bedding will start a fire due to its intense heat.
We have already discussed heating the chicken coop during winter in our guide: Caring For Chickens in the Winter.
It is not necessary to provide extra heat to adult chickens in winter. So adding a heat lamp is not necessary; they can keep themselves warm enough.
A dog can be trained to co-exist with chickens with time & patience, but both parties must be patient. It is not uncommon for people to have dogs & cats living harmoniously together with their chickens.
Whenever possible, it is best to train a puppy at this early age when it is easier to train it. The process of training an older dog will take longer, and many people do not have the time or patience to work with them.
In the event that you have little time, make sure your dog doesn't get close to your chickens. By burying your wire mesh, you will prevent smaller terrier-type dogs from digging under it.
You need top-notch security for your chickens since they are a favorite meal for many predators like raccoons, foxes, hawks, etc. We should note here that chicken wire does not keep predators out, but keeps chickens in!
Several people have learned this the hard way after thinking their birds were secure & safe.
It is important that your coop can withstand attacks from various creatures. It is not uncommon for rats, for example, to gnaw through a run to gain access to feed, eggs, and chicks.
Keep an eye out for damage to the perimeter of your coop on a regular basis. It is a good idea to cover the coop floor with hardware cloth in order to ensure they do not eat through it. By doing this, they will not be able to access your flock.
Raccoons are cute, right? If one gets inside your coop, you won't think so.
Their ability to open simple locks makes them brilliant. Raccoons can open locks as easily as a 3yr old child. The locking mechanism should be one that requires an opposable thumb in order to open it- raccoons are unable to open these kinds of locks.
Weasels, foxes, and coyotes will all attempt to dig into your coop and run. Put your hardware mesh in the ground, and ensure that your perimeter is secure.
Keeping chickens on pasture makes them more vulnerable to hawks. It is illegal to trap or harm birds of prey because they are highly protected species. Try covering your outside run with chicken wire or wire mesh. Alternatively, string some twine across the top of the run randomly. It will be extremely difficult for the bird to swoop down and exit the run from the top because the flight path will be disrupted.
Here are the Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Chickens from Predators.
The use of poison is one of many ways to discourage these visitors. The bait station can be enclosed to prevent chickens from getting to the poison, but the rodents will leave to find another place to die.
Chickens may peck at the carcass and eat it if they find it. It can then lead to them becoming very ill or even dying. Common poisons include three types:
A veterinarian should be contacted immediately if any of these are suspected to have been consumed by an animal. Animals, pets & children should never be exposed to poison. Poisoned meat can cause animals to become ill, and it does happen.
Make sure any chemicals stored in a barn or other multipurpose building are kept safely. When chickens think something is food, they'll investigate it. It is well advised that you keep gasoline, bleach, oils, and antifreeze in a cupboard or place them out of reach of your hens.
If hens are able to access an open container of livestock medicine, they are at risk of becoming poisoned. Be sure to tightly close all containers since they are inquisitive creatures.
Clean up your workspace after working on a project. Ensure you have a small container handy to place any debris you don't want the hens to eat.
Hens can drink up to a pint of water per day in the summer heat. Fresh, clean water must always be available to them. Invest in larger waterers if you cannot monitor their status frequently. One pint of water is needed for each hen.
Multiple drinking stations are important. You may occasionally find a hen guarding her waterer, so the lowest in the pecking order will be left out.
A hen can quickly become dehydrated, eventually succumbing to death. A hen will not lay eggs well for a few weeks if she does not have consistent access to water throughout the day.
Check out our Top 50 List Of What Chickens Can & Can't Eat to learn more about what treats to give your chickens.
The chances are that you aren't neglecting your birds if you're reading this. It is not uncommon for some people to expect their chickens to be completely self-sufficient and believe they can find enough food in their yards without purchasing any feed.
It was certainly the norm for chickens in earlier times. On the farm, they scratched around and gathered enough substance to survive. A bad diet in the 'old times' also resulted in hens laying significantly fewer eggs.
In the same way that cats and dogs can be hoarded, chickens can also be hoarded. Animal rescue services usually step in, in these cases. Hens are often rehomed by bird rescue groups to responsible people.
Many people are aware that foxglove contains digitalis, a powerful heart-slowing medicine. There is no way this can be consumed by chickens! There are also pokeberry, bleeding hearts, sweet pea, holly, jimsonweed, lobelia angels' trumpet, honeysuckle, myrtle, and elderberry which are toxic plants.
There are many others out there, and this list is definitely not comprehensive.
It is interesting to note that many of the plants mentioned above are poisonous to us humans as well! Most chickens are fairly smart (mostly) and stay clear of eating bad stuff.
See our in-depth article about Chicken-Friendly Plants You Can Grow Near Your Chicken Coop!
It is important to check the health of chickens regularly. Birds can suffer from various parasites and pests, so it is essential that their keepers regularly check them.
Birds can become anemic due to parasites like mites. When a bird is infested with worms, it loses weight, becomes lethargic, and is non-productive- in severe cases, the bird can suffocate from gapeworms.
It is important to make mental notes each and every time you see your girls. In checking over your hen, keep these mental notes in mind. The feeling that something is "off" sometimes occurs even when there isn't anything obviously wrong.
By being in touch with your flock, you can catch problems before they become a problem. It is not a good policy to ignore subtle warning signs and can be detrimental to your flock's well-being.
If your chicken coop contains mites, it's easy to go overboard with the DE, but it's always a good idea to remove your chickens before dusting the entire place. DE particles are easily inhaled by chickens, and if they inhale too much, they can suffer from breathing problems or even die.
DE dust is especially dangerous if your chickens are kept in confined areas. You can avoid problems by mixing DE with other types of soil & dirt, but do not overload your chickens with DE.
It is our hope that you have gained a better understanding of some potential hazards and how you can improve or change your own situation.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments...
A lack of necessary care and attention leads to some birds languishing or dying. There is no doubt that you do not want this and that you can quite easily avoid it. Listed are some ways that can severely impact chicks' and chickens' health & survival, as well as measures you can take to avoid these problems.
Coop Fires
In many cases, this is the leading cause of chick deaths. Your birds as well as your property are at risk if you do not set up the heat lamp correctly. Depressingly, heat lamps not secured properly cause fires in coops and barns.
As spring comes around, people start getting ready for the chicks by preparing the brooder, laying bedding, and heat lamps, among other things. During the first few weeks of their lives, chicks need heat of some kind to stay warm.
Ensure that the heat lamp is secured properly by double-checking and triple-checking it. In under 2 minutes, a lamp that falls onto bedding will start a fire due to its intense heat.
We have already discussed heating the chicken coop during winter in our guide: Caring For Chickens in the Winter.
It is not necessary to provide extra heat to adult chickens in winter. So adding a heat lamp is not necessary; they can keep themselves warm enough.
Dogs
There are many things dogs are fond of chasing, including cats, rabbits, mailman, and chicks. It is natural for them to chase things, and to think they wouldn't would be unrealistic.A dog can be trained to co-exist with chickens with time & patience, but both parties must be patient. It is not uncommon for people to have dogs & cats living harmoniously together with their chickens.
Whenever possible, it is best to train a puppy at this early age when it is easier to train it. The process of training an older dog will take longer, and many people do not have the time or patience to work with them.
In the event that you have little time, make sure your dog doesn't get close to your chickens. By burying your wire mesh, you will prevent smaller terrier-type dogs from digging under it.
Security Issues
You need top-notch security for your chickens since they are a favorite meal for many predators like raccoons, foxes, hawks, etc. We should note here that chicken wire does not keep predators out, but keeps chickens in!
Several people have learned this the hard way after thinking their birds were secure & safe.
It is important that your coop can withstand attacks from various creatures. It is not uncommon for rats, for example, to gnaw through a run to gain access to feed, eggs, and chicks.
Keep an eye out for damage to the perimeter of your coop on a regular basis. It is a good idea to cover the coop floor with hardware cloth in order to ensure they do not eat through it. By doing this, they will not be able to access your flock.
Raccoons are cute, right? If one gets inside your coop, you won't think so.
Their ability to open simple locks makes them brilliant. Raccoons can open locks as easily as a 3yr old child. The locking mechanism should be one that requires an opposable thumb in order to open it- raccoons are unable to open these kinds of locks.
Weasels, foxes, and coyotes will all attempt to dig into your coop and run. Put your hardware mesh in the ground, and ensure that your perimeter is secure.
Keeping chickens on pasture makes them more vulnerable to hawks. It is illegal to trap or harm birds of prey because they are highly protected species. Try covering your outside run with chicken wire or wire mesh. Alternatively, string some twine across the top of the run randomly. It will be extremely difficult for the bird to swoop down and exit the run from the top because the flight path will be disrupted.
Here are the Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Chickens from Predators.
Poison
Poultry is said to attract vermin. There will be rats, voles, chipmunks, and mice all looking for a snack in the henhouse.The use of poison is one of many ways to discourage these visitors. The bait station can be enclosed to prevent chickens from getting to the poison, but the rodents will leave to find another place to die.
Chickens may peck at the carcass and eat it if they find it. It can then lead to them becoming very ill or even dying. Common poisons include three types:
- Bromethalin: The neurotoxin bromethalin kills within 24hrs. Animals, pets, and small children should not be exposed to this type of poison since it has no known antidote.
- Vitamin-based: Kills within 24hrs. Despite the fact that this has an antidote, it should be used carefully around animals & young children.
- Anti-Coagulants: It is likely that anti-coagulants are the most commonly used poison. It takes time for it to take effect because it is slow-acting. Using this around livestock should be done cautiously.
A veterinarian should be contacted immediately if any of these are suspected to have been consumed by an animal. Animals, pets & children should never be exposed to poison. Poisoned meat can cause animals to become ill, and it does happen.
Chemicals
Make sure any chemicals stored in a barn or other multipurpose building are kept safely. When chickens think something is food, they'll investigate it. It is well advised that you keep gasoline, bleach, oils, and antifreeze in a cupboard or place them out of reach of your hens.
If hens are able to access an open container of livestock medicine, they are at risk of becoming poisoned. Be sure to tightly close all containers since they are inquisitive creatures.
Glass, Wire & Nails
Occasionally, chickens will pick up pieces of wire, glass, nails, or other metal pieces when pecking for grit and tidbits. In the gizzard, these are likely to get stuck, causing infection, bleeding, or even death.Clean up your workspace after working on a project. Ensure you have a small container handy to place any debris you don't want the hens to eat.
Dehydration
Hens can drink up to a pint of water per day in the summer heat. Fresh, clean water must always be available to them. Invest in larger waterers if you cannot monitor their status frequently. One pint of water is needed for each hen.
Multiple drinking stations are important. You may occasionally find a hen guarding her waterer, so the lowest in the pecking order will be left out.
A hen can quickly become dehydrated, eventually succumbing to death. A hen will not lay eggs well for a few weeks if she does not have consistent access to water throughout the day.
Toxic Treats
Please ensure you don't give your girls anything dangerous when you spoil them with treats and 'tidbits'. Here are some foods they shouldn't eat:- Chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, moldy produce, raw dried beans, avos, and any salty foods.
- Potatoes are controversial– some people will not feed them to their flock, while others will feed them cooked peels or mashed potatoes. Potatoes and tomatoes are both nightshade plants, so it's best to avoid them if you're cautious.
Check out our Top 50 List Of What Chickens Can & Can't Eat to learn more about what treats to give your chickens.
Negligence
The chances are that you aren't neglecting your birds if you're reading this. It is not uncommon for some people to expect their chickens to be completely self-sufficient and believe they can find enough food in their yards without purchasing any feed.
It was certainly the norm for chickens in earlier times. On the farm, they scratched around and gathered enough substance to survive. A bad diet in the 'old times' also resulted in hens laying significantly fewer eggs.
In the same way that cats and dogs can be hoarded, chickens can also be hoarded. Animal rescue services usually step in, in these cases. Hens are often rehomed by bird rescue groups to responsible people.
Plants
It's always fun to watch our girls patrol the yard to make sure caterpillars and other unwelcome guests are dispatched. What kind of plants do you have in your garden that they can nibble on?Many people are aware that foxglove contains digitalis, a powerful heart-slowing medicine. There is no way this can be consumed by chickens! There are also pokeberry, bleeding hearts, sweet pea, holly, jimsonweed, lobelia angels' trumpet, honeysuckle, myrtle, and elderberry which are toxic plants.
There are many others out there, and this list is definitely not comprehensive.
It is interesting to note that many of the plants mentioned above are poisonous to us humans as well! Most chickens are fairly smart (mostly) and stay clear of eating bad stuff.
See our in-depth article about Chicken-Friendly Plants You Can Grow Near Your Chicken Coop!
Lack of Health Checks
It is important to check the health of chickens regularly. Birds can suffer from various parasites and pests, so it is essential that their keepers regularly check them.
Birds can become anemic due to parasites like mites. When a bird is infested with worms, it loses weight, becomes lethargic, and is non-productive- in severe cases, the bird can suffocate from gapeworms.
It is important to make mental notes each and every time you see your girls. In checking over your hen, keep these mental notes in mind. The feeling that something is "off" sometimes occurs even when there isn't anything obviously wrong.
By being in touch with your flock, you can catch problems before they become a problem. It is not a good policy to ignore subtle warning signs and can be detrimental to your flock's well-being.
Diatomaceous Earth Overdose
Overdoing anything can have negative effects. In the case of diatomaceous earth (DE), there is no better expression. Too much DE can cause respiratory problems in chickens, even though it is thought to eliminate external & internal parasites.If your chicken coop contains mites, it's easy to go overboard with the DE, but it's always a good idea to remove your chickens before dusting the entire place. DE particles are easily inhaled by chickens, and if they inhale too much, they can suffer from breathing problems or even die.
DE dust is especially dangerous if your chickens are kept in confined areas. You can avoid problems by mixing DE with other types of soil & dirt, but do not overload your chickens with DE.
Conclusion
Accidents can and do happen, no matter how diligent and caring you are. Despite your best efforts, you will never be perfect. Due to your love for your ladies, you probably already do many of the things mentioned here.It is our hope that you have gained a better understanding of some potential hazards and how you can improve or change your own situation.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments...
