Ascetis, also called Water Belly, is a common problem with fast growing meat chickens, and also in older laying hens. It is not a disease, so it is not contagious to the rest of your flock. It is a symptom of a deeper problem, and unfortunately is eventually fatal. A hen with water belly will […]
Should you bathe your chickens?
Bathing your chickens is topic that has come up a lot lately. I’ve recently been part of a large group discussion about whether you should bathe your chickens or not. You see, while there are reasons why you should bathe your chicken in certain instances, this isn’t really the common thing you need to do. […]
How to keep chickens cool in summer
Summer is here and everyone is complaining about the heat…even the chickens! When chickens got hot they pant and hold their wings away from their body. They tend to seek out cool spots to rest and don’t bunch up together as much. Once you see these symptoms you know its time to go into emergency […]
Chicken Diseases You Need To Know About
One of the best things about small residential flocks of chickens is that they tend to be exceptionally healthy. Many of the chicken diseases that affect larger commercial flocks are just not a big deal for small backyard homesteaders. However, there are a few chicken diseases you should be aware of, just in case. Some […]
Should You Worm Your Chickens?
This is one of those questions that long time chicken keepers all have strong opinions on. Should you worm your chickens regularly or should you rely on dietary supplements to keep them healthy? In the end, it’s a question that every flock owner needs to answer for themselves based on their on their own personal […]
How Do You Know If You Have A Sick Chicken?
If you have kept chickens for any length of time you may find yourself wondering, how do I know if I have a sick chicken? It’s a good question to ask, because part of keeping a flock of birds is knowing the signs of illness, and what you can do about them. If you have […]