Poultry - General Health
Your main objective will be to maintain a productive and healthy flock. With proper management, the incidence of disease and other problems are reduced. Before introducing new birds to your hen house, sprinkle lime over the floor followed by a fresh litter of straw or wood shavings. With open ground, spread lime or spray with a hydrated lime.
Control dampness by eliminating its source. Leaking water dispensers or ground depressions that accumulate rainwater are usual causes of dampness. Remove any damp litter or ground and replace it with clean, dry material.
External parasitic infestation causes irritation and stress to your birds which can result in a severe drop in egg production. It is unlikely you will be able to eliminate parasites completely, but they can be kept to a minimum by good management. A basic principle of control is to replace all of your stock at the one time, i.e. ‘all in, all out’.
Before introducing the new birds to the hen house it should be thoroughly hosed down and sprayed with a disinfectant which is a safe disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses and fungus. You will then need to spray with an insecticide to protect against parasites. Spraying must be repeated within one or two weeks to kill any new parasites that have hatched from eggs which were already laid when the area was initially sprayed.
Ensure that some sheltered space is available with light sandy soil, so your hens can enjoy their own “dust bath”. This natural remedy is a means of parasite control.