Keeping your hens healthy is one of the most important parts of good flock management. In this Chicken Health and Welfare section, you’ll find advice on spotting and treating common problems like mites, scaly leg, red mite, and worm infestations, as well as guidance on injuries, moulting, and signs of illness.
If you’re just starting out, a good place to begin is How To Tell If A Chicken Is Sick or Chicken First Aid Kit: What To Include.
Northern Fowl Mite: The Deadly Threat to Chickens The northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) is one of the most dangerous external parasites that can affect backyard chickens. Although tiny, these bloodsucking mites can rapidly overwhelm a flock, leading to anaemia, poor health and, in severe cases, death. If you’re a poultry keeper in the UK,…
Common Plants Poisonous to Chickens Free-ranging hens love to explore, scratch and peck at anything green — but not all plants are safe for them to eat. Some common garden plants are poisonous to chickens, and while many birds will instinctively avoid harmful foliage, others are less discerning or may sample a plant before realising…
Complete Guide to Worming Chickens Worms are one of the most common internal parasites affecting backyard chickens, and knowing how to manage them is a key part of keeping your flock healthy. This complete guide to worming chickens explains everything you need to know — from the types of poultry worms to how they spread,…
Protecting Garden Chickens From Bird Flu Cleaning Your Chicken Coop may be part of your regular routine, but during a bird flu outbreak, it’s just one of many steps you’ll need to take to protect your flock. For people keeping chickens in the back garden, news of avian influenza outbreaks can be especially worrying. Bird…