Tag: Homesteading

Protecting Backyard Flocks from Avian Influenza

USDA recommends that owners of backyard flocks follow these six tips to prevent poultry disease. Feb. 2025

  • Keep your distance (restrict access to your property and your birds.)
  • Keep it clean (clean and disinfect your clothes, shoes, equipment, and hands.)
  • Don’t haul disease home (if you have been near other birds or bird owners, clean and disinfect poultry cages and equipment before going home.)
  • Don’t risk disease from your neighbor (do not borrow lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies from other bird owners.)
  • Know the warning signs (sudden increase in bird deaths, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery or green diarrhea, lack of energy, poor appetite, drop in egg production, swelling around the eyes, neck, and head, and purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs.)

Report sick birds (call your local or State veterinarian, or USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593).

What can poultry producers do to prevent an outbreak on their farms?

  • Keep an “all–in, all–out” philosophy of flock management. Avoid skimming flocks—birds left behind are exposed to work crews and equipment that could carry poultry disease viruses.
  • Process each lot of birds separately, and clean and disinfect poultry houses between flocks.
  • Protect poultry flocks from coming into contact with wild or migratory birds. Keep poultry away from any source of water that could have been contaminated by wild birds.
  • Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm.
  • Provide clean clothing and disinfection facilities for employees.
  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles (including tires and undercarriage) entering and leaving the farm.
  • Do not loan to, or borrow equipment or vehicles from, other farms.
  • Change footwear and clothing before working with your own flock after visiting another farm or live–bird market or avoid visiting another bird farm if possible.
  • Do not bring birds from slaughter channels, especially those from live–bird markets, back to the farm.
  • If avian influenza is detected, farms must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Avian influenza viruses are inactivated by heat and drying and also these viruses are very sensitive to most disinfectants and detergents. The area to be disinfected must be clear of organic material, which greatly increases the resistance of avian influenza virus’ resistance to disinfection.

What should producers do if their birds appear to have signs of avian influenza?

If birds exhibit clinical signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza or might have been exposed to birds with the disease, producers or bird owners should immediately notify Federal or State animal health officials.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

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Perfect Sand Sifter for Chicken Coop Cleaning

If you use sand in your coop, here’s the best sifter on the market!

The Sand Dipper (Mid-Adjustable Model) has a long handle that can be adjusted from 34″ to 64″, making it easy to clean the coop. It’s lightweight, has a comfortable cork-rubber handle, and a stainless steel basket. The holes in the basket are the perfect size to let sand, including quarter-minus gravel fall through.
I have a couple of tiny Mille Fleur chickens among the flock, and this sifter works great for cleaning up their small droppings too. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase.
🙂 You’ll find the Sand Dipper on Amazon.

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Feather Picking Among Chickens

Possible Reasons For This Problem & What To Do About It

Feather picking in chickens is a behavior where birds peck at and pull out feathers from themselves or other birds. This can range from minor feather damage to baldness and, in severe cases, injury. Why do chickens engage in this behavior? There are several reasons to consider, so let’s take a look at the most common ones and see if we can get to the bottom of this problem. FYI: Written by a real chicken keeper, not AI. 🙂

Common Causes

Nutritional Deficiency:

Protein Deficiency: Chickens may pick feathers if their diet lacks adequate protein, as feathers are a source of keratin, a protein.
Mineral Imbalances: Deficiencies or imbalances in minerals like sodium or calcium can also trigger feather picking.
Note: Just because the feed bag or retailer claims it is a high-quality, healthy feed doesn’t mean it is. Switch it up by buying different name-brand feed and supplementing with fresh foods such as fruits, greens, eggs, grains, and meat. Remember this the next time you consider throwing away your table scraps. If deficiencies are suspected, especially during molting when feather growth demands more nutrients, consider adding nutritional supplements.
Ensure chickens are receiving a balanced diet with the right levels of protein (16-20%, depending on their stage) and minerals.


Stress / Common Causes:


Overcrowding: When too many birds are kept in a small space, stress and competition for resources can lead to feather picking. Ensure that chickens have enough space to move freely. The recommended space is about 2-3 square feet per bird inside the coop and 8-10 square feet per bird in the outdoor run.
Boredom or Lack of Enrichment: Chickens need mental and physical stimulation, which is especially important for confined birds. Boredom can drive them to feather pick as a way to occupy themselves.
What to do: Chickens are curious, so add things that are new and different. They are also foragers, so give them the opportunity to scratch around the coop looking for treats. Provide perches, dust baths, and items like hanging vegetables or toys to keep chickens occupied and reduce boredom.

Comfort

Birds living in an uncomfortable environment, such as too hot or cold. Especially too hot.
You can learn about how to manage your flock in the heat HERE.

Hierarchical Behavior:


Dominance: Chickens establish a pecking order, and feather picking can be a way for dominant birds to assert control over others. To ensure a stable and peaceful flock, avoid introducing new birds abruptly and manage the flock size appropriately.
Friendly advice: If certain birds are persistently picking feathers, identify the aggressors. They may need to be separated from the flock temporarily or permanently. Why? Because intervention is key to preventing the behavior from becoming a chronic issue.

Health Issues:


Parasites: External parasites like mites or lice can cause irritation, leading chickens to pick at their feathers. Regularly check for and treat external parasites. Dust baths can help in natural parasite control.

One More Thing…

Keep in mind that chickens lose feathers for other reasons which are completely normal, such as:
Molting, which can happen at least once a year, sometimes more.
A good egg producer can have poor feather growth because all her energy is busy making eggs for you.
Broody hens often pull out their own feathers when nesting.

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