Claire Thompson
Raising chickens comes with several health considerations for both the chickens and their human caregivers. Chickens require specific care, including routine veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and adequate housing to maintain their health and wellbeing. They need access to ultraviolet (UV) light to produce vitamin D and absorb calcium for healthy egg-laying. Additionally, their housing, or coop, should be well-ventilated, spacious, and protected from predators. Chicken caregivers must also take precautions to prevent the spread of germs and diseases between chickens and humans, such as washing hands and disinfecting equipment. These measures are crucial to ensure the health and safety of both the chickens and their owners.
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What You'll Learn
Housing and space requirements
Housing chickens in a well-ventilated, predator-proof outdoor shelter, known as a "coop", is essential for their health and well-being. A shed, barn, or stable with an outdoor run can also serve as a chicken coop if it is properly modified. The shelter must provide ample space, with each chicken requiring a minimum of 2.5–3 square feet of indoor space and 5–10 square feet of outdoor space. It is always advisable to provide the largest habitat possible.
The coop should be well-ventilated, with multiple outlets for lighting, fans, and air inlets or holes drilled through the roof for ventilation. It is crucial to ensure that the shelter is escape-proof and has adequate protection from predators and harsh weather conditions. A shaded area away from direct sunlight is also necessary.
To maintain a clean and healthy environment, the coop, floor, nests, and perches should be cleaned regularly. This helps to keep eggs clean and reduces the risk of bacterial growth. Nesting boxes, which provide a comfortable area for hens to lay eggs, should be placed in a dark and quiet area of the coop. It is recommended to have at least one nest box for every three to four chickens, starting when they are around 20 weeks old.
When considering housing and space requirements, it is important to remember that chickens are highly social animals and should be kept in groups of at least three hens. For most households, a flock of five to six chickens is ideal. This allows them to exhibit natural behaviours and establishes a healthy "'pecking order' within the flock.
In addition to the coop, chickens need access to an outdoor run where they can forage and exercise. This outdoor space should be predator-proof and provide protection from the elements. It is also important to ensure that the outdoor area is escape-proof to prevent chickens from wandering off or getting lost.
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Veterinary care
Chicken owners should also be aware of the legal requirements regarding chicken ownership, as it is not legal to own chickens in every state in the U.S. Overcrowding chickens can lead to the creation of a "pecking order" or hierarchy within the flock, so it is important to ensure that there is enough space for each chicken. As a guideline, each chicken should have at least 2.5–3 square feet of indoor space and 5–10 square feet of outdoor space.
In terms of veterinary care, chickens should be seen by a poultry-savvy veterinarian at least once a year for an annual examination, blood and stool testing, and parasite control. Chickens infected with parasites may have underlying health conditions and should be taken to a veterinarian for immediate treatment. All chickens should also be vaccinated against Marek's disease, a fatal and contagious viral disease.
In addition to regular veterinary care, chicken owners can conduct monthly health checks and daily observations to evaluate the health of their chickens. By regularly observing behaviours that are normal for the species and the individual chicken, owners can identify potential health issues early on. It is recommended to receive hands-on training from a veterinarian or compassionate care expert to distinguish between normal and abnormal anatomy and behaviour effectively.
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Diet and nutrition
Protein
A good protein source is vital for muscle development and overall growth. This is especially true for hens that lay eggs, as they lose a significant amount of protein with each egg laid. You can provide supplemental protein sources such as soybeans, insects, and worms. If your chickens have access to the outdoors, they will naturally enjoy these as part of their diet.
Grains
Grains, such as oats, corn, or wheat, provide vitamins B and E, phosphorus, and a good amount of protein if given as whole grains. However, grains should only make up around 10% of a chicken's total diet as they are not complete sources of nutrition. It is important to ensure that grains do not get wet and mouldy, as this can be fatal to chickens.
Greens
Fresh greens are an excellent source of vitamin E, which is important for a chicken's immune system. They also provide riboflavin, vitamin A, and calcium. If your chickens have access to a yard, they can benefit from eating grass and other healthy greens. However, be cautious not to let them onto treated grass, as pesticides can be harmful to chickens.
Layer Feed
Chickens bred for egg production or actively laying hens should be fed "layer" food. These feeds are specially formulated to compensate for the high nutritional demands of egg-laying. Layer feeds typically contain higher protein content, which is essential for growth and feather development during the egg-production cycle.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for hens to produce healthy eggs. Hens require at least 12 hours of exposure to UV light daily to absorb dietary calcium. If they are housed indoors during cold weather, you can provide full-spectrum UV light for at least 12-14 hours daily. Additionally, you can supplement their diet with insoluble grit (small stones or sand) to aid in calcium absorption and digestion.
Feeding Practices
It is recommended to have enough feeder space for all chickens to eat simultaneously, promoting efficient feeding. Pelleted feeds are often preferred as they prevent chickens from selectively eating certain ingredients, ensuring a balanced diet. It is important to clean up any leftover feed at least once a week to prevent mould and ensure a balanced diet. Locking away feeders at night can help prevent attracting rodents and insects, which can be a health hazard.
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Hygiene and sanitation
Cleaning and Sanitation Protocols:
- Regular cleaning and sanitization are essential to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of disease. Use hot water, detergent, and a brush to effectively sanitize surfaces. Remove litter, organic matter, and debris before sanitizing.
- Clean the coop, floor, nests, and perches regularly. This includes cleaning and disinfecting equipment, feeders, and water containers.
- Maintain separate pairs of gloves, coveralls, and boots for different groups of chickens, especially if you have multiple age groups. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when moving between groups.
- Keep a dedicated pair of shoes or boots specifically for entering the chicken enclosure, and leave them outside your house. Regularly clean and disinfect these shoes.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens, collecting eggs, or coming into contact with any chicken-related items or their environment.
- If you have young children, closely supervise them to ensure they do not touch their faces or put unwashed hands in their mouths after interacting with chickens.
- Clean and refrigerate eggs after collection, and discard cracked or heavily soiled eggs. Do not wash eggs with water, as it can make them porous and allow bacteria to penetrate.
- When storing, handling, and preparing eggs, maintain the same hygiene standards as you would with other perishable food items like meat and seafood.
Biosecurity and Disease Prevention:
- Implement strict biosecurity measures to protect the health of your flock. This includes quarantining new chickens, testing for diseases, and regularly monitoring your chickens for signs of illness.
- Vaccinations and parasite control programs are critical for preventive care. Consult a veterinarian to determine the necessary vaccinations based on your chickens' age, breed, and location.
- Keep birds isolated from people, animals, and other birds to prevent the spread of diseases.
- If a chicken becomes sick, isolate it from the rest of the flock and disinfect the entire coop and equipment to prevent disease transmission.
- Properly dispose of dead chickens by burying them at least 2 feet deep or sealing them in a container. Follow local regulations for sanitary disposal methods.
- Ensure good ventilation in the coop to reduce respiratory infections.
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- For commercial poultry processing, sanitation and hygiene practices are crucial to prevent contamination and ensure food safety. Regular audits and compliance with industry standards are necessary to maintain impeccable cleanliness standards.
- Employee health screenings, regular check-ups, and strict personal hygiene standards are essential to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Water is the foundation of sanitation efforts, and it must meet or exceed drinking water standards, being free from harmful bacteria and contaminants.
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Behaviour and appearance
Chickens are highly social animals and should be kept in groups of at least three hens. For most households, a flock of five to six chickens is ideal. They are social birds that require enough space to express normal behaviours such as dust bathing, preening, eating, and drinking. They are also known to create a "pecking order" or a hierarchy within the flock when overcrowded.
Chickens must be allowed to spend time outside in an escape-proof, predator-proof outdoor run whenever the weather permits. They require daily exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light to produce vitamin D in their skin and absorb calcium for healthy egg-laying. During cold weather, when chickens cannot be housed outside, a full-spectrum UV light designed for birds should be used indoors for at least 12-14 hours each day. The light should be no brighter than 5 lux, as very bright lights can cause aggression.
To keep chickens healthy, they should be seen by a veterinarian with poultry expertise at least once a year for an annual examination, blood and stool testing, and parasite control. Chickens infected with parasites often have other underlying health conditions and should be treated right away. All chickens should also be vaccinated against Marek's disease, a fatal and contagious viral disease.
Chicken caregivers should be trained to observe the birds for behaviours that are abnormal for the species and for each individual chicken. Caregivers should also be mindful of issues that are common in a particular species or breed and their warning signs. Regular health checks, in conjunction with daily observations, play a crucial role in catching health issues before they progress into more serious situations.
It is important to keep chickens' coops clean, as well as the floor, nests, and perches, to prevent the spread of germs and keep eggs clean.
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Frequently asked questions
A healthy chicken will appear bright and alert, with upright, bright red wattles and combs. They will be eating and drinking normally and will be enthusiastic about treats.
An unwell chicken may appear slumped or hunched over and may keep their eyes shut. Its wattles and combs may be pale in colour and flopped to one side. Other signs of illness include eating or drinking less than usual, ruffled feathers, runny diarrhoea, and discharge from the eyes or nose.
Provide chickens with routine veterinary care and an annual examination. Ensure they have a clean, well-ventilated, and predator-proof outdoor shelter with enough space to express normal behaviours such as dust bathing, preening, eating, and drinking. Chickens should also have access to fresh water and a natural and varied diet.
Chickens should be seen by a poultry-savvy veterinarian at least once a year for an annual examination, blood and stool testing, and parasite control.
Some common health issues in chickens include scaly leg mites, worms, and broody hens sitting on their eggs for too long, which can be dangerous to their health. Chickens can also spread germs that can make people sick, so it's important to wash your hands after handling chickens or their eggs.
