What you need to know for keeping ex-commercial laying poultry
Nothing feels better than being able to offer a free range home to ex commercial hens, there are, however, some health issues these birds can be a little more prone to, especially if not fed right.
Chicken “Snuffles” aka respiratory disease
Respiratory disease often presents itself with one or more birds sneezing / snicking, or wheezing / coughing. These birds can have a runny nose and foamy running eyes.
Egg binding in poultry/birds
Egg binding is the condition where an egg gets stuck in the oviduct or the entrance to the cloaca. There can be a number of causes that can increase the risk of this happening. It’s important to realise this is a medical emergency.
Chicken Reproductive System
Anyone interested in raising chickens for eggs, whether for eating or incubation, an understanding of the female avian reproductive system is essential for recognising problems that may occur and taking action to correct them.
Poultry lice
Poultry lice are wingless, straw-colored insects that feed on dry skin scales, scabs, oil gland secretions and feathers.
Red mites
Red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are blood-feeding ectoparasites that live in small cracks inside poultry houses, coming out at night for a blood-feed from chickens and turkeys during the warmer months.
Jose Doo
Small Animal Veterinarian
Jose Graduated from Massey University in 2009, she then moved to Australia for her first plunge into veterinary medicine which included tending to the exotics at a local wildlife park, this experience gave her a broad start, and encouraged her to become more interested in avian medicine especially poultry.
Returning to NZ in 2011, Jose and her partner are currently working at making a little off the grid paradise on 23 acres in Oxford, where they raise and breed a number of heritage breed chickens, and have also embarked on Pheasants.
Jose is available for consultation by appointment at either the Rangiora or Kaiapoi branches.