Image via Wikipedia
I found a neat website that has compiled a very good handbook on chicken health issues- Kingbird Farm
Here is their Chicken Health Manual
Their website also has a lot of really great pictures that I was able to get ideas for improvement for my own flocks from.
I recently had to set up a tractor as an infirmary as I had some problems.
First, it appeared as though maybe I had a hawk attack on one of my ranger hens. I never heard a thing, but when I was putting that flock into their coop for the night, one of the hens just laid there and didn’t come a-running. I picked her up and her wing was badly broken. So she went into the infirmary.
Next, David (my devoted husband) was helping me round up another range flock to put up when a hen ran in front of him and he stepped on her foot. Ooops! Into the infirmary with her.
I was really worried that I would have to put these birds down prematurely. But the great news is that it has been a week now, and both birds are getting around now and have good appetites. I will not put them back into the flocks as they are due to be processed in about a week anyway.
I look forward to my new mechanical feather plucker tomorrow!
Related Articles
- How to buy the healthiest eggs (msnbc.msn.com)
- Chicken expert Gail Damerow on chicken health questions (grist.org)
- Egg farming: Industrial vs. organic Can you raise healthier chickens at home? (cnn.com)
