Expert tips and tricks for backyard chicken keeping
The comb is the fleshy, red crest on top of a chicken's head, and is an important part of the bird's physiology. It helps regulate body temperature, aids in mate selection, and can even indicate the bird's health status. While the comb is normally red and smooth, it...
Keeping your chickens healthy and happy is essential for any backyard flock owner. One common issue that chickens can face is sour crop, a condition where food in a chicken's crop doesn't move through properly and begins to ferment. This leads to an overgrowth of...
Adding shell grit to your chicken's diet is vitally important - it’s essential to their digestive system healthy and functioning well, and helps to ensure they have access to the nutrients their bodies demand. What is shell grit? Shell grit is a chicken dietary...
Chickens are remarkably adaptable creatures. They can handle light rain and love foraging for bugs in damp conditions, but when the weather turns wild, and especially when floods hit, our feathered friends need extra care and vigilance. This guide is here to help you...
Bumblefoot is the term used to describe an infection on a chicken’s foot; it is referred to as “plantar pododermatitis” by medical professionals. Bumblefoot is characterised by swelling, sometimes redness, and often a black or brown scab on the bottom of the...
Fowl Pox is a very painful slow-developing viral infection affecting both chickens and turkeys. It is quite common throughout Australia, especially in summer, when flies and mosquitoes are everywhere. There are two types of fowl pox: wet and dry. A chicken can be...
Chickens get very uncomfortable in warm and hot weather, however they do need some sunlight to survive. Just like humans, chickens need sunshine too. The UV rays from the sun provide essential Vitamin D to both people and pets. Vitamin D is essential for backyard...
Respiratory problems in chickens can range from minor irritations to serious health conditions. Recognising the symptoms and knowing how to treat and prevent these issues is crucial for maintaining a healthy flock. Recognising Symptoms Respiratory issues in chickens...
Gapeworm is a parasite that inhabits the flesh of a bird’s throat, leading to intermittent wheezing and gasping. Often mistaken for a respiratory infection, gapeworm requires specific treatment as antibiotics are ineffective against this parasite. Identifying Gapeworm...