How To Prevent Sick Chickens

We have been raising chickens for quite sometime now and I have only had a handful of sick chickens over the years.  Prevention is everything in keeping your flock healthy and happy.  Here's some of my best tips and tricks. 

1. Quarantine
Never introduce new chickens into your flock without at least a 30 day quarantine period.  I don't care if they come from a stranger or your best friend you never know what they have been exposed too.  I will leave them completely excluded to the point of I don't even want them to see the other flock. 

2. Prevention
A well thought out prevention plan is key. 
Summer prevention prepare a few special treats.  I keep pumpkin froze cubes in the freezer at all times.  I also add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to each gallon of water.  I change and keep cool water available a few times a day in the summer.  Make sure the chickens have plenty of ventilation in their coop.  As well as much needed shade should be available.  Another important heat tip is to add electrolytes to the water. (my homemade electrolyte recipe is available under the chicken category of the blogs page)
Winter Prevention is a little different.  You need to make sure the coop is not drafty.  A drafty home is easily the most dangerous to your chickens health.  Ventilation would be second make sure you have enough.  To little and the humidity goes up and illness will run amuck.   Keeping their water unfrozen and clean is super important.  On super cold days give them a warm breakfast they love oatmeal.

3. Housing
A clean home is a healthy home.  You must keep their home clean and do deep cleanings a few times a year.  Make sure to clean their food and water containers weekly.  You never want them to have access to spoiled or moldy food. 

4. Be a Spy 
Always be on the lookout.  Know your chickens if you know their personalities then you know when something is wrong. If someone is ill remove and quarantine them always better to be safe than sorry. 

5. Keep them happy
Happy chickens are healthy chickens.  We spoil ours they get daily treats, plenty of free range time, and a ton of fresh vegetables and fruits.  We do not vaccinate or give antibiotics, we choose a all natural environment for them.  They have swings, toys, and hanging treat feeders available to play and enjoy. 

I have encountered a few illness's and injuries over the years.  I have had one get egg bound she sadly did not make it.  We had one injured from a hawk we babied her and treated her wounds and she recovered in a few weeks.  We also had one get bumble foot sadly we let her enjoy her life till she looked to be uncomfortable and we euthanized her.   We tried to treat the bumble foot but without success.   Considering we have had 100's of chickens I feel as though we have done well with preventing illness.  We have many chickens that are 8+ years old and still running around healthy and happy. 

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