Don't kill you chickens! Here are the 11 most common ways you might accidentally kill your chickens.
Don't Kill You Chickens
1. Coop Fires:
The number one threat to your chickens is coop fires. You must properly secure your heat lamp. This is crucial for your birds' safety and the protection of your property. When you don't securely attach your heat lamp, it can fall into the bedding and ignite a fire within minutes. You might want to consider using heating plates as a safer alternative.
2. Family Pets:
Both dogs and cats love to chase things. This includes your baby chicks. It's possible to train your pets to coexist peacefully with your flock. However, it requires your patience and quite a lot of effort. Small terrier dogs will even dig under wire enclosures. Use extra precautions like burying wire mesh.
3. Lack of Security:
Predators like foxes, raccoons, and hawks are a constant threat to your chickens. Chicken wire alone won't keep them out. Check your coop's perimeter regularly. Look for damage and consider using half-inch hardware cloth to protect against rodents and diggers.
4. Poison:
When you use poison to control pests, you can inadvertently harm your chickens. They could possibly consume the poisoned animals. Always use them with caution. Keep them out of reach of both chickens and other animals. If you suspect poisoning, make sure to contact a vet immediately.
5. Chemicals:
Chickens and chemicals don't mix. Chemicals like bleach, gasoline, and pesticides should be safely stored away from your chickens. Chickens are naturally curious creatures. They may investigate anything within their reach.
Fatal Mistakes
6. Glass, Wire, and Nails:
Your chickens could ingest small pieces of glass, wire, nails, or other metal objects while pecking around. These objects will lodge in their gizzards. These can cause bleeding, infection, or death. Always clean up your mess after any projects.
7. Dehydration:
When it's really hot, chickens can drink up to a pint of water a day. Make sure you give your chickens access to clean, fresh water at all times. Create multiple water sources to prevent dominant hens from depriving others of water.
8. Dangerous Foods:
Don't feed your chickens foods like chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, raw dried beans, moldy produce, avocados, and excessive salt. Remove apple seeds before feeding them. The seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide.
9. Neglect:
Some people expect their chickens to be self-sufficient. Don't let this be you. If you don't provide adequate feed your flock will have poor egg production, illness, and even death.
10. Toxic Garden Plants:
Chickens are great at pest control in your garden. However, be cautious about the plants they have access to. Many common garden plants are toxic to chickens. A short list includes foxglove, holly, lobelia, and rhubarb leaves. Check your plants to ensure they're safe for your feathered friends.
11. Lack of Health Care:
Your chickens need regular health checks. They could be suffering from various pests and parasites. Keep a close eye on your flock's behavior. Supplements can greatly decrease the chance for diseases
12. Too Much Diatomaceous Earth:
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is great for controlling external and internal parasites in chickens. However, excessive use can lead to respiratory issues. Don't dust your coop while the chickens are inside. Mix your DE with soil to reduce airborne particles.
13. Not Vaccinating:
If you want healthy chickens you need to vaccinate them for Marek's disease. Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral illness. It can cause both tumors and paralysis in chickens. Vaccinating your chicks early on is your best bet. This can significantly reduce the risk of this disease and keep your flock healthy.
14. Don't Make Your Entire Brooder Hot
When setting up your brooder, it's crucial that you don't make the entire space hot. Instead, create a single warm area where the chicks can go if they need to warm up. You should create a couple of cooler areas where they can move to if they get too hot. This way, your chicks can choose where to go to stay comfortable.
15. Don't Let You Chicks Drown In Waterers
Your chicks can easily drown in waterers that are too deep. To prevent this, you should use waterers designed specifically for chicks. These will have shallower water levels.
16. Check Frequently for Pasty Butt
Pasty butt is a very common issue in young chicks. This is where droppings stick to their vent area. This can actually fatal if if you don't address it. Check your chicks frequently for pasty butt. Clean any buildup with warm water and a gentle cloth.
Conclusion
Raising chickens is a rewarding experience. However, it does come with responsibilities.
You can ensure the health and well-being of your feathered companions by avoiding these mistakes. Remember, happy and healthy chickens lay the best eggs!
