As with the husbandry and management of any animal, there are disease problems associated with backyard chickens. Understanding disease We divide disease into two categories: non-infectious and infectious. Care must be taken not to confuse the words ‘infectious’ with ‘contagious.’ Infectious diseases are those caused by micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria, or…
Feathered pets are fascinating additions to the family, not to mention an incredible hobby. A 2022 report estimates that the total number of companion birds kept in Australia is approximately 3.9 million, with just over 1 million households (10.5%) owning at least one bird [1]. However, despite this popularity, bird…
The keeping of backyard poultry, once an almost universal practice in Australia, declined in the 1970s and 80s, but is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity. People are keeping poultry for food (e.g., eggs), as pets, and as show birds. The breeding of once-endangered or rare species is another area…
Backyard chickens are commonly infected with both internal parasites (worms, tapeworms, coccidia, and other protozoa) and external parasites (fleas, lice, mites, and ticks). At best, these parasites will make your chickens uncomfortable and perform poorly; at worst, they can cause severe disease and even death. Good parasite control is therefore…
Chickens who need to be examined should be caught quickly and cleanly, with minimal stress. You may sometimes be able to easily catch a chicken at night-time, simply by lifting them off their roosting perch. To pick up a chicken, lift them by advancing your hand, palm uppermost and fingers…
Environmental enrichment describes the provision of physical and social opportunities to promote chicken behaviour that is important, valuable, and specific to them. It encourages and allows chickens to do things that matter to them, resulting in positive experiences based on their individual interests, which underpins good animal welfare. Animals who…
Whether your chickens are pets or kept for food (e.g., for eggs), they all require a healthy diet to maintain their health in different life stages — growth, moulting, laying etc., — all of which place different strains and stresses on their bodies. There are a few things to consider…
There are many hazards in most backyards. Some are so commonplace that we often fail to recognise them as dangers. Others are very obvious, and these often distract us from less obvious hazards. The trick to minimising these hazards is to try to think and see things just like a…
Some might view chickens as strictly farm animals. But it’s relatively common for homes in the suburbs and cities to have pet chickens as well. There are many chicken breeds to choose from, including ISA Browns, Wyandottes, Silkies, Rhode Island Reds, and Brahmas. These breeds range in colouring, size, and…
Many backyard poultry flocks end up with a rooster or two. There are a few reasons this happens: If you buy very young chicks, it can be difficult to identify the sex – you end up buying a rooster or two instead of hens by mistake. It’s a common misconception…