A Guide to Backyard Chickens

Backyard poultry flocks are at a distinct health advantage because they run free. They receive large amounts of sunlight and natural foraging allows them to select exactly what they need from the green food and soil of the yard environment. On the downside, the backyard environment and a pelleted ration alone, is lacking in the minerals and essential oils necessary to remain perfectly healthy and produce quality eggs. The backyard can also become a haven for germs and parasites that abound in wet areas after rain and care must be taken to minimize exposure to these hazardous areas.

Dr Marshall has developed two health programmes for backyard chickens that provide all of the additional vitamins, minerals and trace elements necessary for continuing good health. When incorporated with a free-range environment, this system will ensure your poultry flock glows with health and produces superior quality eggs.

The Young Bird Programme is designed for young birds that are less than 5 months old old and have not yet reached laying age (22-26 weeks). This programme also incorporates ongoing disease prevention to help establish a robust flock with good resistance to the common health problems seen in poultry.

The Egg Laying Programme is for adult birds and provides a continuous supply of the energy, vitamins, minerals and trace elements so important to egg quality and ongoing good health.

Both programmes as much as possible follow the principles of organic farming and encourage natural resistance to common poultry problems such as Mareks, respiratory and viral diseases. The use of a water cleanser once a week enhances and maintains a strong level of natural resistance by protecting the flock from germs in the food, water and environment.

Dufoplus and Ioford provide the vitamins and trace elements necessary for superior feather quality as well as ongoing health and vitality. The combination is given in the drinking water for two days each week. Turbobooster, E Powder and Fvite provide a rich supply of protein and energy and are given on a small amount of seed for three days each week for young birds, and daily for egg-laying birds. The essential oils present in Turbobooster also help to produce the finest quality eggs. Quikgel is used during periods of rain to provide a readily avaialable source of energy and vitamins. Its disinfecting properties have a fast action against the germs that appear during rain and helps to prevent the common health problems associated with inclement weather. Please see overleaf for further information on these diseases.

Young Bird Programme
The aim of this programme is to stimulate natural health and immunity in young birds so that repeat treatments for worms and coccidiosis become unnecessary when the birds reach laying age. A base diet of fresh poultry pellets is made available at all times and each morning, Turbobooster, E Powder and Fvite are given on one cup of sterile seed as a energy, vitamin and mineral booster. Drinking water supplements are given on the appropriate days (Friday - Sunday) and three days (Tuesday - Thursday) have been reserved as optional medication days. On these days, the disease prevention regime for young birds should be followed. During cold spells and periods of rain, Quikgel is given in the drinking water. This programme continues until young birds have started egg laying or completed their juvenile moult.

Egg Laying Programme
This programme should commence when birds are around 5-6 months of age and egg laying has become established. Turbobooster, E Powder and Fvite are given on one cup sterile seed each morning to promote ongoing health and the finest quality eggs. Fresh poultry pellets should also be made available at all times. Dufoplus and Ioford are given for two days each week and Quikgel should be given whenever it rains or during cold spells. The use of KD Powder once a week helps to naturally control disease and is an important part of this programme.

Common Health Problems of Backyard Poultry
Withholding periods for meat and eggs should always be observed when medications are given.

Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is a fatal disease in poultry and is managed with the use of Toltrazuril. When following a coccidiosis prevention programme it is important to remember there is a 1 week withholding period following the use of Toltrazuril. As an alternative to ongoing use, Toltrazuril may be administered for 3 consecutive days during an outbreak or when extended periods of rain have caused wet patches to appear in the yard. Refer to clients only section for full medicine details.

Uterus Infection
Uterus infections often occur secondary to mineral and vitamin deficiencies. These deficiencies are mostly associated with Mould Infections (see below). Symptoms of uterus infection include soft or rough shelled eggs, failure to lay eggs and then Peritonitis (bloated abdomen). The fever associated with Peritonitis and uterus infection leads to septicaemia and death. Once established, uterus infections are difficult to reverse. They can be prevented by the weekly use of a water cleanser and by following an ongoing health programme that especially includes Fvite and Turbobooster.

Worms
Worms are often associated with wet weather conditions. Prevention is achieved by administering Metronidazole tablets and a Praziquantel wormer. There is a 7 day withholding period following the use of these medications. When good resistance has been established, treatments are only required if an outbreak occurs.

Mould Infection
Mould infection may cause breathing difficulties such as gasping. It is a rapidly fatal disease that is usually contracted from mould accumulating in the yard. It is important to ensure there is no mould accumulation in the yard to prevent this from occurring. Mould infections are controlled by adding a water cleanser to the drinking water one day each week.

Blocked Gizzard
Following wet weather or fluctuating temperatures poultry often over-engorge on dirty soil. The grit and minerals contained in soil may cause the gizzard to become obstructed leading to a build up of food in the crop. This problem is called a blocked gizzard. A bird with a blocked gizzard will drink more, and defecate less and the comb will become pale in colour. The droppings may be white or cream in colour. At the first sign of a blocked gizzard, the bird should be moved away from any soil and given an emergency first treatment containing ER Formula and Quikgel.

This lubricating solution helps to flush out the blockage and treatment should continue twice daily for 3 days. It may not be possible to clear longstanding obstructions. To prevent this problem from occurring it is important to ensure chickens receive the correct nutritional balance by using F-vite. This will stop them from wanting to over-engorge on soil. Additionally, Quikgel (2ml into 1 litre of drinking water) should be used during wet weather to provide additional energy and protect against mould problems associated with this condition.

Copyright © 2009 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.