|
Signs Of Health
| Combs & Waddles
Eyes
Nostrils
Head & Tail
Breast
Abdomen
Posture
Feathers
Vent
Droppings | Bright ,Full, Waxy
Bright, Shiny, Alert
Clean, No Rasping Sounds Both held High
Full & Plump
Firm, but not too Hard
Erect, Active, Alert
Smooth, and Clean
Clean, slightly moist
Firm,gray-brown with white caps | Knowing how your chickens and geese look
when they are healthy is the most important
part of preventing disease. Put a stop
to dangerous situations before they start.
Healthy chickens will should have all the above
qualities and be actively going about their
day; scratching, digging, singing, and
chasing bugs.
Any change of these activities is a sign for you
to start being aware of several different things.
Above is a list of things that I look at. Appearance
of each bird is the best guide you can have.
As soon as I find one or more clues
that do not match up, I start looking for
something amiss !
I started a long time ago doing a little something
that helps when I approach the birds,
and just want to observe what is happening
in their little world at the time.. I whistle, (now
it's not any tune to speak of), just soft
whistles that get their attention. They will listen to what I am doing, and then I can hear all of their breathing and
noises they are making.
This is the best way I have found to single
out a bird in a flock of perhaps 20 that has a
little cough or sneeze.
When walking in the pens (this sounds terrible)
but it works... I walk around the pen area, and even in the
hen house looking at the ground at the droppings.
If I see more than one that is not right, or if their pen area has taken on an odor, I know something is wrong among my birds. I know you say the pens stink, but
a good clean pen does not have a bad smell!
ILLNESS has a very distinct sweet sickly
smell.
If I notice any of the above I then do a checklist
of the following:
1. Appearance: pick up each bird, feel their
weight, check for lice, etc.
2. Watch each bird's activities. This may take some
time in large pens but it is worth it.
3. Follow their activities for about an hour (good
time to feed and water).
4. Observe their eating and drinking habits and the
the amounts they consume.
5. Odors are also important on the birds too!
They can take on the smell of sickness.
6. Last, but not least, make note of the production level.
Low production can mean problems Gander Gab/Perfect Pets |
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