How To Prevent Disease In Chickens

Getting started with chickens is not an easy job. It takes investment both monetarily and with hard work. It takes research and supplies. You’ve even built a chicken coop. In your mind, you are totally prepared to tend your new flock. But there is one more consideration you might want to think about. Preventing disease in chicken flocks is very important for the ongoing health and enjoyment of your chickens. This guide on how to prevent disease in chickens will help keep your new chickens healthy.

How To Clean Chicken Waterer and Feeder

The first step to a healthy flock is regular sanitation. It’s very important to keep the chicken coop and chicken equipment clean.

1. Choose a disinfectant that is marked safe for animals and doesn’t leave a film. A mixture of 10% bleach and 90% water can work well.
2. Disinfect all tools and materials before first use and weekly thereafter.
3. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly.
4. Keep disinfectants handy so you can clean chicken waterers, chicken feeders, and roosts weekly.

How To Clean a Chicken Coop

Keeping the coop clean is essential for healthy chickens. Damp litter creates conditions that support viruses, parasites, and bacteria. If done regularly, the coop can be cleaned fairly quickly. Perform daily spot checks, weekly bedding replacements, and deep cleanings at least three times a year.

1. Add absorbent wood shavings to the floor of the coop and the nest boxes about three to four inches deep to keep the area dry and odor-free.
2. Remove wet or soiled bedding daily.
3. Remove and replace all bedding every week.
4. Twice a year, perform a deep cleaning to remove everything in the coop and then sanitize.

Other Tips

1. Wash your hands before and after handling birds and eggs.
2. Minimize exposure to outside sources, both human and animal. This means restricting other people who may own chickens themselves. Or, if you’ve been with another flock, you could carry a disease from that flock.
3. Avoid wildlife and other pets by keeping food in a safe area, such as inside the coop. Reduce contact with wild birds or their droppings by placing wild bird feeders far away from the coop.
4. When adding new birds, follow a 30-day quarantine. Keep any new birds cooped in a different building or temporary structure at least 12 yards from the coop. Observe them for signs of illness.

With these suggestions, we are certain you’ll get continued enjoyment out of your chicken flock for years to come. We hope this guide on how to prevent disease in chickens will achieve happy and healthy chickens for you.