Biosecurity in backyard flock
15 January 2025
News
Treats and enrichment for your birds
09 December 2024
This time of year, everyone loves to spoil their pets, whether its with treats or a new form of enrichment, and hen owners are no different.
With the cooler days rolling in it is important that your hens are happy and have mental stimulation, a bored hen may lead to bullying and aggressive pecking in the flock. This time of year, there isn’t much for them to forage as the grass and weeds have disappeared, but a chicken peck toy is one option that can keep your birds happy. Try hiding them around their run so they can forage for them or hang them from a piece of string so they can follow when it moves.
Fallen leaves from the recent storms can be turned into great enrichment for your flock. It’s as simple as building up a pile of fresh leaves for your hens and they will love pecking through them.
Excessive temperatures for long periods can be detrimental to a bird’s health
10 June 2021
BEN SOUTH SAYS: Heat stress is a known ailment in poultry, both in commercial and backyard settings. Birds don’t sweat. They control their body temperature via evaporation through respiration and nonevaporation techniques in the form of radiation. Behaviours seen during heat-stress periods include birds lowering their body to the floor with wings outstretched to increase body-surface area, open-beak panting and searching for shade. Birds can deal with temperatures up to 28°C without too much pr
Read moreHousing restrictions end 23:59 31 March 2021
31 March 2021
As you may already be aware, GB Government have announced plans to lift poultry housing restriction measures from 23:59 on 31st March.
Whilst many of you will be keen to get your birds outside, The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone mandatory biosecurity measures remain in place for all birds, so if you plan to allow your birds outside after 31 March you must prepare their outside areas, please check the information available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/971244/advice-to-poultry-keepers-preparing-range.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1fcoEwoKdAGRVgwidlSKc-R5RTZ3fwWAPUyMyn4wISPNypuwhYYWRq-7M
Stop aggressive behaviour as soon as possible
09 March 2021
BEN SOUTH SAYS: Once flocks are established, a pecking order will have been formed and it is maintained by dominant birds within the flock. This is completely natural behaviour, but it may lead to injuries if the birds cannot agree to a hierarchy.
When new birds are introduced there is often a period of time while the hens are reorganising this dominance. Aggression can be particularly bad if the hens you bring in were dominant in their last flock and this can lead to trauma and high levels
Read moreWhy you should avoid free-ranging chickens with pigs and sheep
03 March 2021
Q - I’ve heard that you should never allow chickens to range with pigs. Is this true?
BEN SOUTH SAYS: I suspect the reason that you’ve heard this is due to the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, commonly known as Erysipelas. This bacterium can cause sudden high mortalityin chickens and is often shed in faeces by infected animals, such as pigs or even sheep.
Classic outbreaks of Erysipelas are often seen in backyard, free-ranging flocks that use pasture whe
When introducing young birds to the flock provide fresh bedding regularly
02 March 2021
Ben South BvetMed MRCVS from The Chicken Vet says:
If you are introducing new chicks to an already occupied run and coop then a full disinfecting programme wouldn’t be worthwhile due to the level of contamination in the environment. As a general rule, however, weekly clean outs of the existing coop with something like Poultry Shield or a general poultry disinfectant should keep most harmful pathogens at bay.
It is also important to ensure that you regularly provide f
Read moreIntroducing ducks to a flock of chickens needs little care
01 March 2021
Ducks, geese and chickens are perfectly happy to coexist and I would introduce them like you would a new pair of chickens. Quarantine them for two weeks in a penned-off area where they can see each other but not have physical contact. Monitor them closely for another few weeks to ensure that there is no aggression occuring.
Read moreAvian Influenza - Advice for Backyard Poultry following announcement of new Housing Order
10 December 2020
Due to the levels of AI seen in the UK in recent weeks, a new housing order will be brought in for all bird keepers, domestic and commercial, from 14th December. It will, from this date, be a legal requirement to keep your birds, however big your flock, inside at all times. Read moreAvian Influenza Prevention Zone - Self-assessment checklist
25 November 2020
Following the implementation of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the UK on 11th November, a new self-assessment checklist has been created to help all bird keepers and owners to identify the measures they have in place to protect their flock.
Read moreAvian Influenza: What is it, and how can you prevent the disease from entering your flock?
13 November 2020
Following the announcement of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) being put in place on 11th November, The Chicken Vet wanted to share some helpful information regarding AI and the best practice husbandry protocols that will help to prevent the disease from spreading to your flock.
Read moreQuestion: Scaly leg mite
05 October 2020
Question:
I have seen a backyard chicken, a laying hen, approximately 5 years old. She has had a 3-month history of thick crusty scabs on both legs and feet, approximately 0.5cm thick. Trying to remove the scabs leaves exposed flesh. The peripheral edges of the scabs are yellow. The chicken's activity has reduced and she is not laying. The lesions are not in the right place for bumblefoot. It doesn't look like any scaly leg I've seen but I guess it still could be. Her feet have been bandaged
Read morePoultry Multivitamins are back in stock
28 September 2020
We are pleased to say that our popular Chicken Vet Poultry Multivitamins are now back in stock!
In a new 500ml bottle, our Poultry Multivitamins are a concentrated supplement formulated by poultry vets and nutritionists. Containing a mix of vitamins, minerals and amino acids with the addition of specialist essential oils and antioxidants, these are an excellent way to give your birds a boost.
To find out more information, or to buy this product, click the link below: https://www.chickenvet.co.uk/chicken-vet-poultry-multivitamins
Read moreThe Chicken Vet Training Day is moving online!
18 August 2020
Due to the current restrictions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the health and safety of both our staff and attendees of upmost importance, we are moving our Chicken Vet Training Days online, launching our first webinar training day in September 2020.
This will allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home, office or practice.
Our webinar training will closely follow the format of the in-practice days, covering all of the same modules
Question: Aggressive Cockerels
18 June 2020
Question:
A recurrent problem is what to do with unwanted roosters and currently there is a high cull rate if more than a few are hatched. I have had a request to neuter a set of cockerels to help prevent fighting and rough behaviour with the hens. Given this is a common cause of neutering in other pet species, it seemed reasonable, however I have seen written it is not allowed in the UK. I have seen information on suprelorin implants but for a lifetime, this would
Read moreQuestion: Trichomoniasis (Oral Canker)
17 April 2020
Question:
How can I treat trichomonas in backyard poultry, producing eggs for human consumption, in compliance with legislation? Metronidazole and ronidazole are on the banned list. Can we use them on an animal welfare basis and what egg withdrawal would we apply? Or is there an alternative treatment anyone has found successful?
Answer:
Trichomoniasis or Oral Canker can be difficult to treat due to the persistent caseous lesions often found
Read moreWhy is Poultry Grit so important?
31 July 2019
A very important aspect of chicken husbandry is making grit available to your birds. Commercial laying hens have a diet containing a type of soluble grit, usually in the form of limestone granules, therefore for backyard hens and ex-battery hens topping up their diet with a suitable grit is necessary.
Read moreAn Approach to Lameness
31 January 2019
Lameness issues are often a problem faced by in-practice vets and it can be sometimes hard to identify the primary cause. In this article we will discuss the possible primary causes of lameness in backyard poultry and the basics behind diagnosing and treatment.
Read moreSome Common Waterfowl Diseases
31 January 2019
Along with the increased popularity of backyard chickens more and more owners are keeping ducks and geese. We commonly view waterfowl as bulletproof, and whilst waterfowl are certainly much more resilient than chickens, once they become ill the outcome tends to be bleak.
Read moreEuthanasia and the Correct Disposal of Deceased Pet Chickens
31 January 2019
As one vet recently commented to me in relation to backyard poultry, “I seem to put down more birds than I save”. Whilst the comment may be rather grim, it reflects one of the most common issues with providing veterinary care for backyard birds, and that is that many are presented to us when they are at death’s door.
Read moreTurkeys - Disease problems throughout the year
31 January 2019
The seasonal nature of turkey production in the UK means that the turkey population expands markedly in the second half of the year. This results in higher infectious pressures at a time when we would traditionally see greater challenges to management in terms of temperature and humidity due to cold weather.
Read moreHormonal Implants for Chickens
31 January 2019
One of the most common conditions in older hens is egg peritonitis. This usually starts with an issue in the oviduct; preventing successful transport of the egg from the ovary to the vent. Some chickens occasionally lay an egg internally which is generally absorbed over several days.
Read moreRules Regarding the Import of Birds and Eggs to the UK from the EU
31 January 2019
Many poultry breeders who have particularly rare breeds often wish to expand their bloodlines by buying in eggs or birds from the continent, however the rules are a minefield and in this article we hope to give a basic but clear understanding.
Read moreNotifiable Diseases in Backyard Poultry
31 January 2019
As vets we all hope never to have to diagnose a notifiable disease. However whilst it is unlikely for an avian notifiable disease to enter the UK it is well worth vets dealing with backyard pet poultry to be aware of the pathogens and what to do should such a condition be suspected.
Read moreVaccinating Poultry with the smaller flock in mind
31 January 2019
Vaccination of back yard poultry is a topic we frequently discuss with customers, clients and vets alike. It is to a degree and area of mystery; causing confusion due to conflicting information and discussion on blogs, the uninitiated giving unfounded advice on a complex subject!
Read moreCrop Problems in Pet Chickens
31 January 2019
Domestic chickens are descended from Jungle fowl, a prey species which are opportunist scavengers. These birds need to be able to quickly eat large quantities of food when it is available without putting themselves in a vulnerable feeding situation for a long period of time.
Read more