While highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in domestic birds in Utah last month, the first case of the virus in a wild bird was recently confirmed after a dead great-horned owl tested positive. High pathogenic avian influenza viruses are very contagious among birds, and can cause rapid and high mortality in domestic birds, such as chickens, turkeys and domestic … [Read more...] about First Case of Wild Avian Flu in Utah Confirmed
Poultry
Poultry Care: Sometimes You Gotta Change its Diaper
Yes, really. Only it's called a "clearing a clogged vent." One of the most frequent health problems of baby chicks is a clogged vent. The vent is the single hole in the rear of a chicken responsible for waste and laying eggs in adulthood. As a chick, sometimes their feces gets stuck in their baby fuzz, thus clogging the vent and keeping them from defecating. This results in … [Read more...] about Poultry Care: Sometimes You Gotta Change its Diaper
Winter Homestead: How to Save a Frostbitten Chicken
So, you found a frozen chicken on your homestead. What do you do? Set the microwave to defrost? Fire up the fryer? Just kidding. If the chicken is still alive, there are ways to help save her. This happened to us recently. One of our Americuanas didn’t come into the coop at night and was caught outside in a freezing rain storm. We found her the next morning huddled beside a … [Read more...] about Winter Homestead: How to Save a Frostbitten Chicken
6 Tips For Raising Guinea Fowl
Guinea Fowl are one of the best additions to a homestead. They are great guard animals (my flock actually chased away a German shepherd once), they eat a ton of ticks each summer, and they are delicious. There are plenty of books and articles on how to raise Guineas, and I read many of them. There are a few things they missed. So I’ll just give you some of specific pointers … [Read more...] about 6 Tips For Raising Guinea Fowl
Poultry Diseases
Almost everyone loves chickens. From the eggs, to the meat, to the crowing of the cock, there's just something about the non-airborne avian that brings to mind the peaceful tranquility of a self-sustaining existence. What happens though, when your fowl are feeling a little ... well, foul? Read on for some common chicken illnesses, and how best to handle them. (Avian) … [Read more...] about Poultry Diseases