How do you know your chickens are healthy?

[NatJ]

I know! But then you worry about selling fertile eggs or chicks. My first six I got from a hatchery so I imagine they were vaccinated. The rest I hatched myself or got from a farm a county over. She hatches her own but has gotten several specific breeds by having eggs mailed. This leaves endless possibilities. Seems no way to guarantee your chickens are healthy unless you have them all tested and keep them in separate bubbles immediately afterwards so that if the results are good they'll stay that way.

There are a few diseases that can be transmitted through hatching eggs, but most of the chicken diseases cannot be. So eggs are a bit safer than chicks, and especially safer than older chickens (that have had more time to catch things.)

Too bad there isn't a practical way for small flock owners to test all regularly.

You might look into the NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan).
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...ide/poultry/national-poultry-improvement-plan

That does involve some regular testing for certain diseases (not all diseases, but some.) From what I've read, it seems to be administered at the state level, so it might be a bit different in some states than others. Any time you see people talking about NPIP status, or having an NPIP number, that is what they are referring to. At least some states require it if you want to ship eggs or chicks across state lines (I'm not clear on whether just some states require that, or all of them.)

A number of people on this forum have their flocks NPIP certified, even with small flocks, so that is definitely possible.

I've read that the program was originally set up to deal with some very nasty poultry diseases, that we pretty much never see now (so presumably it did what it was supposed to there.)

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I feel I'm totally a vigilant chicken mama and flock manager and I'm constantly trying to learn but I'm also not rich or a scientist... So I don't know how to grow and make sure it's responsible. And the more research I do the more I realize this is a spectrum. Or more like, a Pandora's box... So I guess you talk to people and decide.

When I first got chickens I was so nervous they would get sick! I raised them inside and then was afraid to move them outside. The first time I took them out one of them ate bird poop and I was extremely upset and worried! After awhile I realized they live outside and you can only do so much so I do what I can and if they get sick I try to help them. I still get worried but not as much as I did at first!

 

[Somshine]

Thank you for that! I wish I could shut my brain off sometimes but such is ADD. I can never hear cool it a little bit in a kind way enough... I grew up with chickens but I didn't manage them, I was a kid. And I've had a handful of egg laying hens for 15 plus years. But this is my first time flocking. My gosh!?!?

 

[BDutch]

Make sure you check out how long you have to toss your eggs if you use Aquasol. I can't remember but I know that I read that on here a while back.

Deworming medicines are only recommended to use with serious infestations by the organic farming institute in my country (Louis Bolk). A chicken can handle the common worms as long as she is not sick. Deworming medicines are not good for a chickens health unless you really need to bc of a severe infestation. After deworming the worms always return if they have established themselves in the coop/run/environment.

I have chickens for 10 years now and after an unlucky start with sick chicks, I only had two hens that died of somekind of illness. One got a waterbelly after laying soft shell eggs, and the other died suddenly during the night (possible heart attack or a stroke). I had chicks that got some kind of cold, but they all cured without medicines after several weeks.

Many wild birds like sparrows come into the run and my chickens free range several hours on most days. It makes them happy and healthy. I did have red mites in the coop last year, but I managed to battle them.

All in all, I believe you have to learn to accept that things can go wrong. Chickens just don’t live forever. Giving a good space, fresh air, clean water and healthy food is most important imho. I never went to a vet with my chickens and don’t plan to do so for as long as possible. I also prefer to buy hatchery eggs over chicks to lower the risk of transmitting diseases.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Deworming medicines are not good for a chickens health unless you really need to bc of a severe infestation.

Agree! Precisely why I wouldn't know about Aqua whatever it or anything else. 20years of chickens and I do not worm them.

 

[Somshine]

It's a really valid question because if you're on BYC you're reading about quite the plethora of issues and if you're me you're thinking, how am I never dealing with this stuff, shouldn't I be? Shouldn't my chickens be sick from all sorts of issues? Well it's really just that alot of people are here seeking solutions to problems and a whole lot more are either not on here because all is well or they're on here doing other stuff because all is well. I've had chickens for 20 years. I've had a grand total of 2 health issues in 20 years (Cocci, bumblefoot.) Chances are really good that your chickens are healthy and will stay that way. I've never ever dealt with the majority if issues I see on here. Like what is Vent gleet, um water belly? other things I've seen and I don't even know what it is.... hasn't happened to me.....

I know! But then you worry about selling fertile eggs or chicks. My first six I got from a hatchery so I imagine they were vaccinated. The rest I hatched myself or got from a farm a county over. She hatches her own but has gotten several specific breeds by having eggs mailed. This leaves endless possibilities. Seems no way to guarantee your chickens are healthy unless you have them all tested and keep them in separate bubbles immediately afterwards so that if the results are good they'll stay that way.

 

[Somshine]

I remember a few years back catching a little red house Finch near our bird feeder, pretty easily cuz he couldn't seem to see, and I took him to our wildlife center. Appeared to be some sort of respiratory issue. I washed and bleached the bird feeder. But I'm thinking what if one like that landed on top of one of my runs and stayed there for a couple hours pooping in my run?! But then also, never saw another sick wild bird after that. You read about that stuff spreading like wildfire but it doesn't seem to in nature.

 

[Somshine]

I

I Think the only way to help minimize issues is biosecurity. Things happens, and not everything is foolproof, but the better biosecurity the safer they are. But then there are issues that present that have no baring on vaccines or wild birds.

Very true. And then I wonder if vaccinations are counterproductive if they don't actually prevent them from getting it. Seems a herd immunity of sorts would be easier achieved without them...

 

[Somshine]

I think I'll stick with the no vaccinations. I'd rather know they have it for one, and I guess let the ones go that are more fragile.

 

[Somshine]

I know what you mean. I add apple cider vinegar to the water every few water changes & I use aquasol in the water once or twice a year to ensure they are wormed. Especially if you see dirty bums.

I love Bragg's! Also the Nzymes products! Awesome holistic products for immune strength and development! Haven't heard of aquasol I'll have to check that out!