Coxoid – Used To Treat Coccidiosis
Coxoid is a medication that vets will sometimes suggest to control coccidiosis in chickens. It is a relatively common disease, and Coxoid has been used by vets ‘off label’ because it isn’t licensed for use in food-producing animals.
How to Clip a Chicken’s Wing
Whilst many heavy breeds of chickens can’t really fly high, and a modest fence height will keep them in, the Mediterranean light breeds are very capable of flying over a substantial six-foot fence. This article will show you how to clip a chicken’s wing so she can’t fly. Sometimes we need to clip a chicken’s […]
Angel Wing
Angel wing is a condition that affects ducks and geese and is sometimes called slipped wing, or dropped wing. In the wild, waterfowl live mainly on grains and grass but modern high protein feeds can cause a this condition of the wing joint to occur in growing waterfowl. Angel Wing is where the wing joint […]
How to Dispatch a Chicken
Euthanasing or killing a chicken is one of the less attractive aspects of raising chickens… Here is how to dispatch a chicken using neck dislocation.
The Best Way to Dispatch a Chicken
I have used the neck dislocation method successfully for years when a bird has been suffering and needed to be dispatched, but when I was researching to write the article on this method, I thought I would see whether this was the best way to dispatch a chicken at home and whether I should be […]
How to Get Rid of Red Mite Infestation
How to deal with a serious red mite infestation in your chicken house.
Wet Feather
Keeping ducks or geese is usually problem free although there is one problem commonly called ‘wet feather’ that can strike one or more of your birds. Waterfowl feathers are usually waterproof, this is to protect the bird against getting waterlogged whilst swimming. Ducks and Geese preen their feathers after bathing and cleaning themselves. There is a […]
The Temperament of Different Breeds of Chicken
Not all chickens are docile! I have categorised their temperament into docile, flighty and aggressive for both US and UK breeds.
Chickens Moulting: Symptoms, Diet & Care
Chickens moulting their plumage in autumn can be stressful, so we need to provide the correct moulting chickens diet and take care of their needs at this time.
How to Blow an Egg
If you want to keep an eggshell indefinitely, decorate it for a special occasion such as Easter, or fill an egg with mustard or similar to stop chickens from eating eggs, then you will need to know how to blow an egg.
Verm-X for Chickens
How good is Verm-X for chickens? Verm-X comes in a liquid or pelleted formulation and I tried it out over 6 months, but how can you be sure it’s working?
Baytril – Used To Treat Respiratory Problems
Baytril is a broad spectrum antimicrobial antibiotic that is effective against primary and secondary bacterial and mycoplasma pathogens associated with chronic respiratory disease in chickens and turkeys. Baytril is not licensed for use in hens producing eggs for human consumption. You can only buy Baytril on prescription from your veterinary surgeon who may decide in the […]
Tylan – Used To Treat Respiratory Problems
Tylan is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that treats diseases in the respiratory tract of bacterial or mycoplasmal origin in chickens and turkeys. Tylan is a prescription-only antibiotic, so it is only a veterinary surgeon that can prescribe Tylan. It comes as a soluble powder, but there is also an injectable form that vets will sometimes use. […]
Panacur – Used For Worming
Panacur is not licensed for use in Poultry in the UK. It is a wormer that is commonly used for cats and dogs as well as cattle. If you take your chickens to the vets for worming they may be given Panacur. It is a broad spectrum wormer that many vets will prescribe for poultry, […]
Lice on Chickens and Other Poultry
There are several types of biting lice that affect chickens and other poultry. These are known as ecto-parasites or external parasites as they live on the outside of the bird. Lice are between 1 to 4mm long depending on the type of louse. They can be found crawling on the bird at the base of […]
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is an infectious fungal disease affecting poultry in which birds will usually be left gasping for breath. The disease is contracted by inhalation when there is a high spore count in the air. Disinfectant has little effect on the spores. The incubation period of the infection is between 2 and 6 days and it can […]
Will Cats Attack My Chickens?
There are cases where cats have attacked and killed chicks, small bantams and occasionally smaller hens (hybrid size) but rarely fully grown chickens.
What is the Best Chicken Bedding Material?
I rate some of the chicken coop bedding I have used, from wood shavings and straw to shredded paper and cardboard, and even some of the specialist poultry bedding like Easichick and Auboise.
Are Brown Eggs Healthier than White Eggs?
Brown eggs are still preferred by most people in Europe, but why can’t you find white eggs in the UK?
What is the Pecking Order in Chickens?
All flocks of chickens have a well-defined order known as the pecking order. This article will explain how this social hierarchy works and offer tips for avoiding conflict in your flock.