Chicken Keeping Secrets

“My chickens are losing their feathers, they seem healthy otherwise because they are still running around and eating and drinking. Is there a disease I should be worried about? Should I be giving them medicine? I’ve never had chickens before and I’m worried and could use your help, thank you.” ~ Mary Katherine Kellogg

Mary Katherine,

I believe that you are seeing signs of moulting (or molting) in your flock rather than disease.

Moulting is a natural, normal occurrence.

It is the process of shedding old feathers and growing new feathers.

It is also a time for your hens’ reproductive tract to rest and rejuvenate as egg laying slows, and often stops altogether for the period of the moult.

Typically, a moult is an annual occurrence. The shorter daylight hours of autumn and winter stimulate the onset of the moult. The duration will vary from breed to breed and from individual bird to individual bird within a breed. (more…)

“Could you advise me how often you should worm chickens? I have just started keeping chickens and got some worming powder from the vet and used a very small amount for a week mixed with their food. That was some 4 weeks ago, when should I use the powder again.

The other question I have is when I was giving them the powder mixed with their food my Welsommer hen stopped laying. She doesn’t lay every day but during the week of the worming she had bad diarrhea and I wonder if that could have been as a result of the worming powder? Thanks for the great newsletters I am learning so much about chickens!” ~ Elaine, from Fermanagh N. Ireland.

Hi Elaine, I’m glad you wrote.

Here are my thoughts about worming chickens; do it only when necessary.

In some climates where it is often wet and doesn’t get too hot nor too cold, you may need to worm often. There are climates where the need to worm may never become necessary. I don’t believe in treating problems that aren’t problems.

I do believe that taking preventative measures is always a good idea.

With that thought in mind, make sure you practice good sanitation. Keep droppings cleaned up, keep litter material fresh and dry.

Do not allow wild birds or other wild animals to get near your chicken’s feed as their droppings can contain parasites. (more…)

“I just noticed that one of my Auracana Pullets has an “over bite”? Her bottom beak goes to the left and her upper beak goes to the right. She has grown normally and is the same size as the rest of the batch I received from the hatchery. I assume she should have no problem in the future since she seems to be developing fine so far. Any insight as to why she is out of alignment? Her beak does not even come close to matching up. I was just curious. My guess is it was a deformity or and injury. It may be more common than I expect.” ~ Jill Reynolds

Hi Jill this is a great question.

From what you describe it sounds like your pullet has “crooked beak”.

It is actually more common than you would think.

Crooked beak is caused by one of two factors; heredity or a spike in the temperature within the incubator.

I’m a little surprised that a chick with this problem came from a hatchery because I would assume their breeding stock would be superior and the incubation process would be flawless. Just an assumption on my part, maybe I’m placing too much trust in the hatchery.

Anyway, crooked beak usually shows up between 2 and 10 weeks. It cannot be detected at hatch.

Typically the lower beak stays straight and just the upper is crooked. It can be as simple as a minor misalignment or as drastic as a complete cross of the upper portion. It can progress rapidly and be alarming. There is no cure. (more…)

This week in our basics series we’re going to address a few chick health concerns.

If you order your chicks from a hatchery, often times, but not always, your chicks will receive vaccinations before they are shipped. Check with your hatchery to find out if they will be administering vaccinations and what they are for. Vaccinations are important in a large commercial setting where chickens are overcrowded. In this type of setting, disease can spread quickly.

Vaccinations are less necessary in a home poultry flock.

It is important to check with a local veterinarian, county extension center or feed supplier to determine what, if any vaccinations are recommended for your area. Because many poultry diseases are prevalent in specific areas, there is no way for me to make a recommendation regarding what vaccinations are necessary or if any are necessary. (more…)

“How do chickens bathe themselves?” ~ Katheryn Nutter

Katheryn thanks so much for the question.

Chickens are naturally clean animals, particularly if their living conditions are ideal. If they have sufficient space and the coop is kept clean, your chickens will usually look pretty good.

An exception to this is just before and when they are molting. Also really good layers usually look scruffy because they use their calcium to make egg shells rather than to keep pretty feathers (made up mostly of calcium.)

With that said, chickens do in fact bathe themselves. (more…)