I am afraid that my bird is sick. Where should I go for help and what kind of information should I provide? There are a few ways you can get help. One is to contact your local small animal Vet, but a Vet who specializes in Avian medicine is...
What are Blood Spots in Chicken Eggs? Are they Safe to Eat?
I found a blood spot in my fresh egg – what is that and are these eggs safe to eat? Blood spots are also called meat spots and are occasionally found on an egg yolk. Contrary to popular opinion, these tiny spots do not indicate a fertilized egg. they...
What are Recommended First Aid Supplies for Backyard Chickens?
What do you recommend I keep around in terms of supplies in case of an emergency? I recommend the following items: Rubbing alcohol, cotton balls and swabs, gauze bandages, Vet Wrap or similar item such as an Ace bandage, needles and syringes, Neosporin ointment, saline solution (such as used...
What is Grit and When Should I Use it for my Poultry?
Grit is anything that would provide a grinding tool in the gizzard, where the feed is broken down. Tiny pebbles, sand, grit, canary or pigeon grit, etc. are all suitable for adults birds, but only canary grit (or something similar in size) should be used for chicks, when necessary....
How Can I Fix a Chick Leg Injury?
The poultry orthopedic chair has several uses. Some of the first ones that I ever made were for paralyzed chicks and the purpose was to prevent these chicks from damaging their leg bones and joints in their futile struggle to walk. Some of the chicks that sat in the...
Is Medicated Starter Safe for my Ducks?
Medicated Starter/Grower is safe for ducks and other waterfowl, provided that the medication in the feed is Amprolium. Bacitracin is also safe but not as common. Medicated feed was once considered toxic to waterfowl due to the arsenic and sulfa based products that were typically used. Since Amprolium is...
When Should I Start my Hens on Oyster Shell?
Oyster shell should never be given to young hens before egg production since calcium overdose may cause kidney damage. Only hens in production should be provided a calcium supplement such as oyster shell, and even then there is some debate on how much. If you feel small ‘bumps’ on...