Chicken Care - Resource Bank
There are many wonderful resources available online to help with caring for chickens and learning how to treat common issues. We have compiled a list that we have found helpful in the past and added some of our own.
How to hold a chicken
Sadly, we often see humans holding chickens in the wrong way. Holding them with your hands tightly gripped around their wings can be stressful and cause them difficulty with breathing.
Housing - security and enrichment
How to perform general health checks
The Karen's Kind Health Check Guide
More simple guides are available, but we think this is worth a read.
There are some Open Sanctuary links inside.
Signs a chicken is poorly
Signs of illness — Chicken Clinic - Chicken vet in Bristol
Once you get to know your chickens, illness will be easier to spot. In large flocks it can be difficult to spot as the poorly ones often hide their illness (to avoid being bullied by others and simply because they are a prey species). It's REALLY important to be observing for illness to make sure you aren't leaving anyone in pain without treatment or pain relief.
Common crop issues
The top three chicken crop issues
Various information is available online, but we advise that you NEVER empty a chicken's crop by tipping them. It can cause them to aspirate and die and most importantly it is distressing and unkind!
Healthy droppings
Chicken Poop Chart: Poop Colors and What They Mean
Checking their poops can tell you a lot about the health of the chickens!
Parasites and parasite management
The Veterinary Nurse - Common poultry parasites of backyard hens
We advocate for regular worm testing as opposed to worming as standard. You don't want the worms to build an immunity to the treatment or spend money on treatment when not required. Feacal tests by post are relatively cheap and easy.
Reproductive issues and implants
Suprelorin Implants - The Open Sanctuary Project
Whilst the implants can be life saving for some hens, we do not implant as standard here. Implants change the hormone levels of the hen and can sometimes suppress certain behaviours and their personalities. They can also reduce in effectiveness over time. Some sanctuaries do successfully keep hens constantly implanted.
Food and food storage
Chickens should be fed a diet predominantly of specifically formulated feed e.g growers pellet/chick crumb/layers pellet. Growing chickens/old chickens require less protein and calcium than laying hens. We recommend sticking to the formulated feed and keeping treats like corn and sugary fruits to a minimum. We commonly see obesity and egg laying issues caused by diet.
Crumb rather than pellet is better for those with crop issues and can also prevent boredom.
Chickens also need constant access to grit (soluble and insoluble) but commercial grits contain oyster shell which is not vegan. We recommend a course sand mix (insoluble) mixed with limestone grit (soluble).
Food should always be stored covered. This prevents rats and mice but also stops mould growing. Some moulds can cause long term and short term health conditions.
Biosecurity
When introducing new members of the flock, always quarantine for a minimum of 2 weeks. Look for signs of respiratory infection (sneezing, discharge from eyes and nose), worm test and check thoroughly for lice or mites.
Keep wild birds and other animals out of the run and food sources as they can carry diseases and parasites in.
New flock members
Other
If there is anything else you would like to know but don't see here, please feel free to get in contact.