When temperatures fall below 35°F, supplemental heating is needed to keep backyard chickens from cold stress and frostbite. However ventilation is important to remove excess moisture and avoid a build-up of ammonia. Mary Hightower’s article provides several wintertime tips for backyard poultry raisers worthy of sharing on social media or in newsletters. Source: Farm Talk, … [Read more...]
Search Results for: backyard
Apps to help manage backyard chickens
One thing all chicken keepers need is a method to manage their birds. Ana Hotaling reviews four poultry-management apps backyard chicken keepers can consider to help them manage their flocks. Source: Hobby Farms, June 21, 2023. Link. Smartphone apps allow poultry keepers to easily add and modify flock information, keep track of egg production, and keep tabs on much more … [Read more...]
Fowl Play: veterinarians talk biosecurity and backyard chickens
Complimentary Sponsored Content Attention animal health pros! Consider investing an hour of your time to learn from this timely discussion. Karen Grogan, DVM, MAM, ACPV, joins the Chatfields for an informative and realistic discussion of backyard chickens, biosecurity and the threat of high path avian influenza. After you’ve held them and they’re cute please go wash your … [Read more...]
HPAI wipes out 49 million birds in backyard and commercial flocks
Biosecurity is critical to avoid highly pathogenic avian flu outbreaks. While infected migratory waterfowl and their droppings are frequently blamed as the cause, human-mediated spread remains significant requiring continuous biosecurity vigilance. Fully committing to biosecurity is crucial to shut down HPAI in the layer industry.” In March 2022, Carol Cardona, DVM, PhD, … [Read more...]
New HPAI cases four new states in backyard flocks
Highly pathogenic avian flu continues to infect poultry flocks. Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Enhanced biosecurity remains the best line of defense to protect animal health. Source: Successful Farming, October 21, 2022. Link. HPAI symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and other signs of … [Read more...]
Backyard visitors spell RISK for pets, people
Opinion Omnivores for the most part, wild animals are opportunistic eaters. Pet food left or put out for them is akin to a free drive-in restaurant. Yet, their human-provided takeout represents less than 20 percent* of their caloric needs. Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, skunks, deer and rodents are reservoirs for zoonoses and contribute to the number of … [Read more...]
Practical backyard chicken advice during a virtual visit to the farm
The number of backyard poultry flocks continues to grow. New owners need practical advice. In this episode of The Takeaway, guest host Melissa Harris-Perry has a discussion about backyard poultry basics with Emily Shoop, a PennState Extension educator who specializes in backyard poultry, as well as gamebirds. Source: The Takeaway, Rebroadcast: USDA plans to pay debt relief … [Read more...]
Backyard wildlife; Beware the January thaw
Commentary In some parts of the U.S., we usually have three or more days where winter temperatures moderate and we thaw out. At the same time, daylight hours are increasing. This period begins the breeding season for some wildlife species. Skunks, raccoon, foxes, bobcats and coyotes start looking for mates and food, and they’re driven by hormones and hunger. Breeding … [Read more...]
Backyard poultry Salmonella update
Backyard chickens aren’t inherently bad. There’s risk and there’s reward says Scott Weese, DVM. He says disease risk is also an important consideration, so we need to figure out how to reduce risks while maximizing the benefits of pet contact. For chickens, the big risk is Salmonella. The risk of chicken-to-human transmission is very well established, and there are outbreaks … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens? Wash your hands. Don’t kiss chicks.
Scott Weese, DVM, like many of us, is anti-Salmonella and anti-Campylobacter. He references CDC’s investigation notice about Salmonella Hadar infections being linked to backyard chickens. It also notes the likelihood of underreporting. The CDC provides a good list of preventive measures < link >. kids less than 5 years of age (and elderly people, pregnant women and … [Read more...]
Training and education available for backyard poultry raisers
With growing interest in backyard hens, and with some towns and cities allowing residents to raise chickens in their backyards, Alberta Farm Animal Care is hosting a Backyard Chicken webinar series for beginner poultry raisers. The series covers information on flock health, handling, costs, bylaws, breeds, coop design, diseases and more. Cassandra Kirkpatrick, Urban Hen … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken feed growing in pet food and treat market
What started as a backyard option to get fresh eggs has quickly moved the backyard chicken from livestock to pets. The pet food industry is responding to this growing trend. Source: Petfood Industry, January 27, 2020. Link. In APPA’s survey of 10,090 current pet owners: 10 percent reported owning backyard chickens: this equates to approximately 10 million U.S. … [Read more...]
First aid kit for backyard chickens
Like all backyard animals, chickens can get injured. Access to veterinary care is not always timely, so Victoria Peterson suggests putting together a first aid kit for the flock and keeping it in toolbox or container. Injuries are common when birds fight or when attacked by a predator. Source: AcreageLife, February 2020. Link. Also see: Variety is key to selling first aid … [Read more...]
What to know about keeping backyard chickens (podcast)
In this article and podcast, Maurice Pitesky, DVM, and host Andy Schneider, outline their top husbandry recommendations for managing, housing and feeding backyard birds. . . . many of the problems that arise in backyard flocks can be traced back to issues with husbandry. Good husbandry practices can minimize these stresses and let keepers get the most out of their … [Read more...]
Lead contamination risks in backyard poultry
Rearing backyard chickens carries some zoonotic concerns and potential risk for the birds being exposed to chemicals or heavy metals like lead. These can get passed on to consumers through eggs or meat. Birds may pick up lead from various sources, such as contaminated water and feed. But, the main source of lead exposure for backyard poultry is likely contaminated … [Read more...]
Select chicken breeds that work best for city backyards
Persons wanting to keep chickens in urban backyards should consider breeds that can tolerate a more controlled existence. Keeping a rooster may be out of the picture, writes Pam Freeman. She discusses the benefits of sex-link chickens and shares information about bantam breeds that are preferred for smaller spaces. Source: Backyard Poultry, August 5, 2019. Link. Regardless … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens have caused 21-state salmonella outbreaks
Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5. Don’t kiss your chickens! < link > Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens may be the most pampered pets of the moment
Chicken pampering is taking over in the backyard poultry segment writes Glenn Selk. Nothing seems too much for these feathered friends. Americans have begun treating their fowl more like pets than livestock. And just as with our beloved cats and dogs, nothing is too much for our little Foghorn Leghorns. Source: USA Today, December 24, 2018. Link. The Centers for Disease … [Read more...]
Virulent Newcastle disease confirmed in U.S. backyard flock
The first case of virulent Newcastle disease in the U.S. since 2003 has been confirmed in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County, California. In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens may pose health risks to humans
Zoonotic diseases that backyard poultry may spread to humans include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and avian influenza viruses. Widespread outbreaks of human Salmonella spp. infections linked to contact with backyard chickens have been documented in the United States since the 1990s. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2018. Veterinarians should advise owners of backyard … [Read more...]
Make sure backyard chickens get proper nutrition
Janet Garman sorts through a variety of choices for feeding backyard chickens. Between types and stages of chickens and a multitude of brands, buying chicken feed is not a simple choice. Source: Countryside Daily, January 4, 2017. Chickens need protein, carbohydrates, and fats, along with the appropriate vitamins and minerals. Most starter and grower rations will have 18% … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken trend causes spike in infections, 1 fatal
This article explains why we have focused heavily on backyard chicken trends. The growth of raising backyard chickens in U.S. cities and suburbs brings a soaring number of illnesses from poultry-related diseases, some of them fatal. Since January, more than 1,100 people have contracted salmonella poisoning from chickens and ducks in 48 states, according to the Centers for … [Read more...]
Spike in Salmonella comes from backyard chickens
As we noted in this post last June, hugging and kissing chickens can cause exposure to Salmonella, which has killed one person in the U.S. this year. Young children are the most vulnerable to this bacteria. Source: NBC News, August 22, 2017. Nine hundred sixty one people have tested positive for Salmonella this year. That’s more cases than in all of 2016. It’s been found in … [Read more...]
Rented chickens hatch backyard bonanza
If a client asks where to buy some chicks so they can start gathering eggs in the backyard, renting may be a better option. Yes, renting. Rent the Chicken was launched in 2013 and has been expanding since. The service offers two to four layers, feed, a waterer and a coop for a specified rental period. When the time is up, its personnel pick things up. Source: John Deere’s … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 6 milestones for backyard chickens
The backyard chicken craze is growing rapidly. Veterinarians and retail associates are frequently challenged to help new chicken growers succeed. Purina offered this content promotionally, but we found the life stages information worthy of referencing. Source: Morning Ag Clips, April 25, 2017. As we get started on the journey with baby chicks, it’s important to look forward … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken basics always in order
Interest in raising chickens in backyards continues to grow. Bryant Gill with the Farm Report with Pam Jahnke interviews Ron Kaine, a University of Wisconsin Extension poultry specialist, to learn about backyard chicken basics. Source: Farm Report with Pam Jahnke, April 4, 2017. I usually tell people to choose one that you like because that’s going to make it more … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken revolution struts onward
Chicken raising is experiencing unprecedented popularity. The backyard-chicken movement is recapturing some of the agricultural legacy lost to golf courses, sprawling estates and business campuses. Source: Pet Product News International, March 2017. The guesstimates of the number of backyard chicken owners in the U.S. is anywhere from 1 million to 10 million households. … [Read more...]
Backyard flocks are big risk for spreading Gumboro in U.S. chickens
Infectious bursal disease (IBD), commonly known as Gumboro, is an immunosuppressive disease in chickens caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). A wide range of IBDV pathotypes exist in nature. They have been generally classified into subclinical IBDV (variant), classic virulent IBDV and very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) groups. Although vvIBDV does not exist in some … [Read more...]
Backyard Chickens 101: A quick guide for small-animal veterinarians
Backyard poultry raising is increasing in suburban and urban areas. As a result, veterinarians may be asked to provide veterinary care for chickens. This may present challenges for those who have rarely worked with them or have not dealt with them since veterinary school. Source: AVMA, July 13, 2016. (via AVMA SMARTBrief). To help veterinarians in these situations, the AVMA … [Read more...]
Keep backyard chickens healthy
A backyard chicken boom is in full swing. Just like large-scale operations, disease prevention is critical to keep chickens and their human keepers healthy. Most veterinarians aren’t familiar with chicken care. VFD regulations affect treatment options in small flocks just as they do in larger ones. In both instances, preventing disease is a best practice. Source: The Poultry … [Read more...]