Keeping Chickens: Summer Makeover for Healthy Birds
With the summer warmth arriving, chickens often face challenges from pesky bugs, biting insects, and parasites that can sap their health and reduce egg productivity. This guide shows how to give your chickens a thorough summer makeover, focusing on parasite control, coop hygiene, and overall comfort, ensuring your feathered friends stay happy and productive.
Understanding Parasites and Their Impact on Chickens
Chickens are delightful backyard companions, offering fresh eggs and lively personalities. Yet, they are vulnerable to external parasites like mites and lice, which can cause itching, feather loss, and anaemia, making hens lethargic and decreasing egg production. Internal parasites like gapeworm also threaten their health and require targeted treatment. Recognising signs early helps prevent long-term harm.
Spotting the Signs of Parasite Infestation
Watch for these noticeable signs indicating your chickens might need care:
- Bare patches or missing feathers
- Excessive scratching and restlessness
- Weight loss and poor condition
- Diarrhoea or digestive issues
- Swollen, scaly legs from mites under leg scales (scaly leg)
- Reduced or irregular egg laying
- Hunched posture with ruffled feathers
- Lethargy or listlessness
Preparing the Coop for a Summer Detox
A clean, parasite-free coop is fundamental. Begin early in the morning on a dry day by letting your hens out, then ventilate the coop by opening windows and doors. Use a poultry-safe disinfectant like Poultry Shield to thoroughly clean perches, nesting boxes, and coop surfaces, especially wooden areas where red mites hide. After application, keep the coop closed for several hours to let the product work effectively.
Creating Dust Baths for Natural Pest Control
Chickens love dust baths, which naturally help them dislodge parasites. Provide a dry, clean dust bath area using sand or dry soil, placed in a shaded spot inside or outside the coop. Regularly refresh the dust bath to keep it free from droppings and moisture. This allows your flock to enjoy comfort and reduces parasite load.
Treating Your Birds Safely and Effectively
Only after the coop is cleaned, treat your chickens using safe and effective products. Veterinary advice is crucial, but many backyard keepers find Frontline for dogs (medium/large size product) effective. Apply a small drop on the back of the chicken’s neck, above the vent, and under their wings, avoiding eyes to prevent irritation. This treatment kills mites, lice, and eggs, remaining effective for a couple of months. For scaly leg, gently massage Vaseline up to the elbow at night to soften scales without causing injury.
Tackling Internal Parasites
Internal parasites, including gapeworm, require targeted treatment like Flubenvet, a medication available from vets or specialised poultry suppliers. Usually administered as a seven-day course, it effectively clears worms and parasites, improving your birds' health and productivity.
Enhancing Summer Comfort: Key Tips
- Improve ventilation in the coop to avoid heat stress by ensuring good airflow without drafts
- Shade the coop and run to protect birds from direct sunlight and overheating
- Keep fresh, cool water readily available and refill often to encourage hydration
- Offer hydrating treats like frozen watermelon cubes to help keep chickens cool and refreshed
- Feed in early morning or late evening to accommodate reduced appetite in heat
- Encourage free-ranging in shaded areas where chickens can seek natural cooling spots
Conclusion
A seasonal summer makeover involving thorough coop cleaning, targeted parasite treatment, and comfort-enhancing practices can dramatically enhance your chickens' wellbeing and egg production. Observe signs carefully and act promptly, always choosing safe products and consulting your vet when needed. Your hens will thank you with health, brightness, and plentiful eggs all summer long!
