Chickens hide illness for a long time; by the time a hen really looks ill, the problem has often been going on for a while. That is why chicken health is mainly about noticing early and preventing. This collection contains care products from Excellent, such as the BL range against red mite, Poultry Parex, Vit Liquid Multivitamine Hobby, Electrolyte mix and Garlic Allicin Liquid. You will also find the Gaun sulphur hand duster and the Gaun hen saddle.
The weekly health round
A regular check takes little time and catches most problems early:
- Behaviour: is a chicken standing apart, with fluffed-up feathers or closed eyes?
- Comb and wattles: a pale comb on a hen that normally lays can point to red mite or another problem.
- Droppings: an unusual colour or runny droppings that last for days are a warning sign.
- Coop: in the evening, check the ends of the perches with a torch for grey or red mites.
- Feathers and legs: bald patches, flaking leg scales or small wounds.
Which product to use for what
Products for controlling red mite and other mites are in red mite and mites; a step-by-step plan is on red mite control. Products you give via the drinking water during periods of extra strain, such as moult, heat or a move, are in vitamins and resilience. The hen saddle protects the back of hens that are mated a lot by a cockerel, so the feathers can grow back.
Points to note
Care products support, but do not cure disease. For a chicken that is not eating, is breathing with difficulty or deteriorates quickly, consult a vet with poultry experience. Isolate a sick chicken from the flock. Always use products against parasites according to the label; pay attention to the instructions about eggs from treated birds.
Hygiene is the basis: a dry, well-ventilated chicken coop, clean drinkers and regular fresh nesting material in the nest boxes. The other sections, from feed to hatching, are on the overview page for chicken keepers.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if a chicken is ill?
Watch for a chicken that stands apart, has fluffed-up feathers, is not eating or has a pale comb. If in doubt, consult a vet.
How often should I check my chicken coop for red mite?
In the warm months, ideally weekly, in the evening with a torch along the perches and nests.
What is a hen saddle for?
It protects the back of hens that are often mated by a cockerel, so bald patches can recover.