Ensure the health of the chickens

Chickens should always be checked for their health so that possible diseases can be identified and treated quickly. Many diseases can already be avoided by keeping them clean and appropriate to the species. Other diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites through no fault of their own.

Watch well
You should always watch your animals closely in order to identify sick chickens early on. It is based on social grievances such as feather pecking or cannibalismto watch out for, mostly caused by incorrect posture. Sick chickens are also often fluffed up, do not want to eat, are sluggish or sit a long way away from the other chickens. Inflamed eyes, a sneeze, drooping wings or diarrhea are also easily noticeable. Some diseases are more difficult to detect, which is why you should always take a closer look at the faeces. This can indicate a parasite infestation through mites or worms, for example. A chicken should also be caught at regular intervals and inspected more closely for abnormalities. Most diseases affect very young or very old animals because they have a lower immune defense.

Act quickly and consistently
The health of the chicken is not only elementary for the animal itself, but also for the other chickens in the barn and you as the keeper. New chickens should always be kept separate for a period of time. You can read more about this in our article “The new ones are coming …” . This is the only way to ensure that the animal does not introduce any diseases. The quarantine period can also be excellent for deworming and vaccinationbe used against the widespread Newcastle disease. As soon as a chicken looks sick, it should also be separated from its flock. Since many diseases progress quickly and are contagious, we should not wait and see. If you, as the owner, do not know which illness your animal is suffering from, you should visit the vet as soon as possible. Here you not only get the necessary medication, but in extreme cases you can also get support in making decisions about emergency slaughter or healing attempts.