Tag: health

Your Filthy Chicken Coop is the Problem

Rant: Calling Out Poor Chicken Keeping, Because It Matters

Problem
Solution

It doesn’t take long browsing photos of backyard chicken coops online to notice a pattern that’s hard to ignore. I’m seeing far too many coops that are disturbingly filthy. Roosting bars layered with droppings, dirty bedding, nest boxes caked with droppings, and feeders and waterers so crusted with mud and buildup they look like they’re rarely, if ever, scrubbed clean.
Then come the posts from panicked chicken keepers asking why their hens are sick, not laying, have feather loss, or simply “not thriving.” The connection is often obvious, it’s just not acknowledged.
A clean chicken coop is not about appearances. It is the foundation of your flock’s health.
Chickens live their entire lives in close contact with the ground beneath them. When waste is allowed to build up, it creates an environment where rodents, bacteria, parasites, and moisture thrive. Over time, that environment begins to work against the birds. Respiratory irritation, infections, and chronic stress don’t usually appear overnight, but they develop steadily when basic cleanliness is neglected.

If there’s one standard worth holding to, it’s this: if a coop looks dirty, it is. Keeping it clean isn’t extra work, it’s the job. And it’s a job that requires commitment in the heat of summer, during wind and rain, and in the bitter cold of winter.

“Learn as You Go” Isn’t the Right Approach

I’m also seeing an alarming number of new chicken keepers who haven’t done their homework before bringing home chicks. Deaths from preventable issues, like fecal impaction or the use of excessively high-wattage heat lamps hung too low in small spaces, are far too common. Coops are often bought or built far too small for the number of birds, and overcrowding not only causes behavioral problems but also contributes to numerous health issues.
A too-small coop isn’t the only problem. Proper predator-proofing is essential in chicken keeping, and understanding what that actually entails requires serious effort. When a coop isn’t properly secured, predators will find a way in. And when they do, the result is devastating and heartbreaking. These are hard lessons, and they can come at the expense of an entire flock. Many people assume it won’t happen in their backyard. Trust me, it will

Respect your birds enough to do the work; their health, their safety, and their lives depend entirely on the standard you choose to set.

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What’s for Breakfast in the Coop?

While bagged commercial feed may suffice, there are numerous ways to enhance the overall health of your chickens.
I make it a priority to provide my hens with ample greens, including homegrown sprouts, eggs, berries, romaine, tomatoes, and whatever other goodies I can offer them daily.
Greens provide essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that may not be present in their regular feed. For instance, greens like kale, spinach, and lettuce are rich in vitamins A, K, and C, which are crucial for overall health, immune function, and egg production in chickens. Greens contain dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps contribute to the overall gut health of chickens.

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Chickens in the House is Nothing to Brag About

Chickens in the house? Really? This is not a practice I would boast about to the world, yet I see pictures every single day online. Chickens wander around kitchens, sitting on the back of couches, and looking in the back doors and windows of homes. The list goes on and on.
Chickens are not house pets, and though SO MANY people allow their mature chickens in the house, I consider this practice a potential health risk, and irresponsible to say the least.
The rule of thumb is to keep a clean area between chickens and your living space.  That means chickens don’t belong in the yard, on the patio, where children play, or anywhere that family traffic is common. Chickens should have their own area outside. They are NOT companion animals like dogs and cats, and shouldn’t be allowed the same indoor perks.
Why is This so Important?
It’s common for chickens to carry Salmonella, which is a type of germ that naturally lives in the intestines and is shed in their feces. Live poultry may have Salmonella germs on their bodies (including feathers, feet, and beaks) even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs can also get on coops, hay, plants, and soil in the area where the birds live and roam. Additionally, the germs can be found on the hands, shoes, and clothing of those who handle the birds or work or play where they live and roam.
Each spring, children become infected with Salmonella, but it’s important to remember that the illness can occur in chicks or adult birds at any time of the year. Children are exposed to Salmonella by holding, cuddling, or kissing the birds and by touching things where the bird lives, such as cages or feed and water bowls. Young children are especially at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths.
How Common is Salmonella?
CDC estimates that approximately 1.2 million illnesses and approximately 450 deaths occur from Salmonella annually in the United States alone.
And Furthermore…  Shame on Manufacturers
It doesn’t help that chicken diapers and clothes are being marketed. These items are made simply because people will buy them. Nothing of the sort makes it safe to allow chickens indoors… nothing.

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