New to chickens, advice please on keeping healthy birds

[tazderazzer]

Hi, we have just got ourselves four chicks from the local nursery, they are growing so fast, and are between 17-20 days old.
We have got the run and coop sorted and I am pretty confident they are going to love it, and that we have sourced all the extras to keep our chooks clean and happy.
Now I need some help on basic health care, worming, when should I first administer and how often? Advise please on things like red mite and other chicken vaccinations/prevention from illnesses?? Please, all advice appreciated - feeling overwhelmed with it all.
And do I really need to register my ickle little flock?
Thank you, Taz.

[bearded bloke]

While you are waiting for an answer have a look here ... Vaccination - Health and Common Diseases - The Chicken Vet - Home of the healthy chickens

[alifrew]

I have three 2 year old hens and worm them twice yearly with layer pellets with added flubenvet. Apple cider vinegar in their water one week in every 5 or 6 helps with internal digestion and general well being. Red mite powder to dust over them is good for keeping red mite at bay as well as diatom which is diachotomous earth (or something like that) to dust around the coop to keep them out. I also use stalosan to keep smells down, although they don't really smell in honesty. In England you don't have to register a flock less than about 16 I don't think but this may vary depending on where you live. Hope this helps


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[Scarlet]

If you only have a few chickens worming twice a year should be sufficient. Spring and Autumn is usually ideal. Your little ones are on fresh ground and are on their own so I would probably worm in the Autumn. I'm also a fan of Apple cider vinegar in the water, clove of garlic in there is also worth a go! If your coop is new, it's worth giving it a good luck of creosote, this should keep the red mite away. Paint the ends of their perches regularly. This really does stop them.
Have a look at the stickies at the top of the chicken threads, there is some great info on health and hatching advice. Great fact sheets on worms, red mite etc. they are very informative. Sorry I'm on my phone and I can't do links... Perhaps someone else would link them?..

[veggiechicken]

Here ya go!!1

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...oks_62408.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tes_37166.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ice_38276.html

[Scarlet]

Ha! VC I though BB would come to my rescue.... You'll be a techy yet!

[veggiechicken]

Oooh I hope not Don't techy wear funny clothes and ties that are too short?

[Scarlet]

Yeah, bit like my OH - their trousers are always a little short too but don't worry, you won't suffer from that problem!

[tazderazzer]

Thanks for the tips, love the natural remedies, will be using the cider vinegar and garlic, also read somewhere oregano.
The links have been really helpful, can anyone recommend where to source the worming treatment, and can I give to them before they go outside, bout 6 weeks old?
We had a second hand coop, and have jet washed, scrubbed and painted. I seen red mite spray in pets at home can I use that on the coop? I am putting some dust baths in for them so will add the powder treatment to that, do I have to top it up regularly? And how often do you treat for red mite?
Thanks again

TAZ

[alifrew]

Where are you based Taz? A place near me sells 5kg of flubenvet mixed in already with layers pellets for £7. Perfect for a small flock. I looked online and it was £24 for a tub of the stuff which you then have to weight out and mix in. You hardly use any of it then it's out of date and a big expense. They do deliver but I'm not sure how far they go


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[tazderazzer]

Where are you based Taz? A place near me sells 5kg of flubenvet mixed in already with layers pellets for £7. Perfect for a small flock. I looked online and it was £24 for a tub of the stuff which you then have to weight out and mix in. You hardly use any of it then it's out of date and a big expense. They do deliver but I'm not sure how far they go


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I'm in south Wales, Cardiff. Thanks will have a look into that, didn't even think of shelf life!

[veggiechicken]

I'm in Cardiff too - there are a few of us locals here. Why don't you put Cardiff in your Location on your profile - it really does help us!!
I've just returned to chicken keeping with 4 hens I bought on Sunday. They're great fun to have around.

[tazderazzer]

awesome

I'm in Cardiff too - there are a few of us locals here. Why don't you put Cardiff in your Location on your profile - it really does help us!!

Aww that's brilliant! Thanks

[jessmorris]

I think you don't need to register a flock til you have 50 birds or over...

[alifrew]

I'm in south Wales, Cardiff. Thanks will have a look into that, didn't even think of shelf life!

Having tried to worm mine this week, they don't seem keen on the wormed pellets. Certainly haven't eaten as much as they usually would typical! I'll check the website and see if they deliver to Cardiff


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