Chickens As Backyard Pets

This was a question that was sent to our exotics veterinarian where I work.

 I have a flock of backyard chickens that are having problems. I recently introduced a new bird to the flock and soon after the egg production dropped, they have gone off their feed and their feathers are messed up. When I looked at the birds I saw lots of dark specks running around on their skin. What is the problem with them and how do I fix it so they start laying eggs again?

It sounds like your hens may have encountered a parasite problem. Those “fast-moving specks” might very well be mites. These external parasites suck the blood of their host and are common in poultry. Affected birds will often lose their appetite, look scruffy and have a drop in their egg production due to anemia from blood loss. Mites can also make the chickens more susceptible to other diseases. Your local avian veterinarian can confirm this diagnosis by examining those “specks” under a microscope as well as examining your birds for other health problems.

The key to treatment involves treating both the birds and their environment at the same time. The parasites will attack the birds to feed but often are found hiding in cool, dark areas of the hen house or in the bedding. After removing any bedding and eggs, dust both the birds and the ground with a poultry-safe insecticide powder such as ‘Sevin’ which contains 5% Carbaryl. It is important to follow the directions on the label when using insecticide powders for your safety and that of your birds. At the same time scrub all surfaces of the hen house with hot soapy water followed by a dilute 1:10 bleach solution (9 parts water to one part full-strength bleach) to eliminate the mites and their eggs. Let in as much sunlight in as you can while cleaning as this will also help kill the parasites. Replace all bedding material each time you clean. Allow the hen house to air out between applications. Since the life cycle of the parasites takes a week, you will probably need to do several weekly treatments to eradicate the pests. Don’t forget that you should not eat any eggs for a week after treating the chickens with insecticide.

Please note that you can also use an organic parasite control, diatomaceous earth, to reduce future mite problems in your chicken yard. These products are available from your farm/feed store or by consulting your agricultural extension agent. Follow the instructions on the labels for all products. Finally, your local avian veterinarian can be a very helpful source of advice for the proper husbandry of your chickens.

Healthy Teeth = Healthy Pets!!

Most people to not realize it, but oral disease is the number 1 most common health problem for pets. Over 75% of cats and dogs have developed periodontal disease by age 3. Periodontal disease that goes untreated can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss. The presence of bacteria in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream to the heart, kidneys and liver causing secondary problems. The good news is that dental disease is easily identified and treated and can be prevented by working with your veterinarian.

Plaque accumulates on your pet's teeth over time. If this is not removed manually, the plaque forms tartar. Tartar below the gum line causes inflammation of the gingiva and around the root of the tooth.

Signs you may see include: Yellow to brown discoloration of the teeth, red or bleeding gums, bad breath, drooling, swellings around the mouth or below the eyes, difficulty eating, missing teeth or a decrease in appetite.

Prevention is important!

Routine brushing at home make a significant difference in preventing tartar build up. Work with your veterinarian to develop a schedule of how often and with what types of tooth brushes and tooth pastes you should use at home. Over the counter human products are NOT OK to use on your pets.

Yearly dental exams by your veterinarian are important for preventing dental disease. Routine cleaning and scaling done under general anesthesia by your veterinarian may be necessary to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and under the gum line where bacteria may be present.

Your pet is never too old to start dental care prevention. Talk to your veterinarian to help you and your pet develop the best dental care routine!