Timothy McDermott DVM AgNR Hocking Co What is your purpose Meat Production Egg Production Dual Purpose Show breeds Rules and Regulations Franklin Co website Where to get your birds ID: 717082
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Healthy Practices for Backyard Poultry
Timothy McDermott DVMAg/NR Hocking Co.Slide2
What is your purpose?Meat ProductionEgg ProductionDual PurposeShow breedsSlide3
Rules and RegulationsFranklin Co. websiteWhere to get your bird(s)?Hatch, chick, adult
HousingFoodWaterHealthConsiderations:Slide4
Where to Find ChicksDay-old chicks from hatchery (NPIP)Most require ordering minimum amountFor example, Meyer Hatchery, Polk, OH15 minimum January-March3 minimum April-December
What will you do with remainder?Can order sexed large fowl, but straight run bantamsNeed brooder and heat source90-95 degrees first 2 weeks then reduce by 5 degrees every week until 1 month old.Slide5
Incubate Your OwnLearning experience for familyEggs from hatchery or breederCan get fewer from breederCould end up with all cockerelsPercent hatch varies85% considered good hatchNeed to find homes for remainderNeed to brood chicks
2-week old Salmon FaverollesOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSIONSlide6
Do you need a Rooster?Not needed for egg productionOnly if you want to hatch chicksCan be aggressiveCan be noisyMay not be allowedRequest hens, not “straight run”Slide7
TerminologyChickensHen and RoosterBaby chicken is a chickA pullet is an immature female chickenA cockerel is an immature male chickenTurkeysMales are Toms
Females are HensBabies are poultsSlide8
What do Chickens Need?FoodWaterShelterSlide9
Feed and FeedingStore feed in rodent proof containerTypes of feedersCleanable, safe, sturdyCommercially available feeds:Primarily corn and soybeansVitamins and minerals added for nutritional balance
Formulations vary based on age and purposeStarterGrowerLayerSlide10
Starter FeedHigher in protein 18-20%Feed for at least 5 weeksDO NOT feed to layer hensNot enough CalciumMedicatedAmprolium
– coccidiostatNot needed in older chickens usuallySlide11
Grower FeedFeed until sexual maturityOK to supplement rations up to 20%Table scraps, etc….Slide12
Layer Feed
Lower in Protein, Higher in Calcium 4%DO NOT feed to growing birdsWill result in Phosphorus deficiency RICKETTSPulls Calcium from bones if no supplementBones are set when older, less critical to supplementMIXED FLOCKS?Can supplement Grower feed with oyster shells to layersSlide13
Egg Colors and SizesWhite hens can lay white or brown eggsSome breeds can lay blue/green eggsHens lay about one egg per dayLeghorns – bred for high egg numbers – Commercial breed
DO NOT wash eggs, they have poresSlide14
Water and Waterers
Fresh water every day (65 degrees)Twice per day maybe, might be out by middayKeep manure out of waterKeep from tipping overChickens cool off like dogsNeeds change with age and weatherSlide15
HousingWhere to place it?Ventilation – dry and draft freeWhat kind of litter to use?Predator proofCleanable
Heatable?Size? (How many birds)Avg. 2 sq. ft. per birdSlide16
HousingLightingYear round eggs?60w bulb every 40’(13w CFL)14 to 16 hoursNest Boxes1 for every 4 or 5 hens
Need to be easy to cleanEgg accessPerchesChickens like them – safe place6-8 linear inches per hen, 2-3” diameter roundNot right above nests or get manure in nests, make perches part of your cleaning planDomestic chickens originally from SA jungle fowl Slide17
Things Chickens WantTemperature Regulation65-75 degrees is idealThe ability to do their thingFreedom from fear and stressFriendsSlide18
Other ConsiderationsManureMoltingDiseasesBiosecuritySlide19
Manure ManagementCompost?Need hot or long compost for pathogensBag and throw awayKeep out of food, water and nest boxesClean everyday, keeps it off eggsDo not let build up
BugsDiseaseSmellMoistureSlide20
MoltingLosing old feathers and growing new feathersEgg production usually stops at this timeCan be variable when this happensHens will lose weight during this processCan be brought on by stressCan be brought on by nutritionSlide21
Common Chicken DiseasesRespiratoryParasitesInternalExternalGastrointestinalBIOSECURITY
Good husbandry will minimize illnessSlide22
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Biosecurity Practices Aimed to Prevent Indirect Transmission of DiseaseDomestic AnimalsDon’t bring pets or allow them access to your birdsCats carriers of diseases to birds more so than dogsWild AnimalsMust house birds in animal-proof/bird-proof houses
VS
HUMANS??!!Slide23
Many thanks!!Jean Sander DVM, MAM DACPVDean , Center of Vet Health Sciences, Okie St.Lucinda Miller OSUE Specialist 4-H Slide24
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