This warm weather has been a mixed blessing. If you were holidaying it was great, but warm, humid and sometimes wet weather, is great for parasites as well as garden weeds.
If you are rearing then controlling coccidia should be at the front of your mind. However, once the birds reach adulthood coccidia are usually more of an interesting finding than a cause for concern. However, worms and red mite are of concern to all of you. More thoughts on this later.
SYMPTOMS BUT NO DIAGNOSIS AS YET
This has been another busy month. One afternoon was spent with a Bristol Vet student trying to establish the cause of the illness of one of her mother’s hens. The hen had to be euthanased and determining the cause of her sickness did not prove to be easy. I had thought that Marek’s disease was going to be the likeliest reason but that was not the case. So at the moment, I am still mulling over the clinical signs, post-mortem findings and possible reasons for her sickness. Hopefully, by next month I will have that sorted. In the meantime, a reminder that signs that may be quite obvious and dramatic when alive such as apparent blindness and inability to stand, may not be necessarily be associated with dramatic post-mortem findings.
As ever, it comes down to how much are you prepared to spend to find out? Even after parting with hundreds of pounds you may be none the wiser. We will, of course, know what it is not!
MEET DAVID AND THE SALISBURY POULTRY CLUB
The New Forest & Hampshire County Show 25th, 26th and 27th July 2023 are planning a Farm Experience Zone within which will be a Show farm along with displays and poultry related items. Unfortunately, there will not be any live poultry present.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of The Country Smallholder.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of The Country Smallholder.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Being able to respond to unexpected accidents on the smallholding is crucial
Hugh & Fiona Osborne describe how they have responded to a major setback to their smallholder plans. It may help you plan your response, should the worst happen.
How can we ensure that Britain keeps farming?
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and Editor of the Ferguson Heritage Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world of agricultural machinery.
Keeping Things Together
Claire Waring discusses methods of swarm control
All about Asparagus
Lee Senior has some surprising facts about this delicious plant that you can grow in your veg patch
I'll talk, you listen
Paul Donovan investigates the importance of vocalisation in chickens, and how it conveys a bird's feelings, and state of health
Home is where the hen is
Chickens are an \"absolute necessity in anyone's life,\" says Cara Wheeldon It's no yolk! from healing properties to happiness, here's why poultry make the best pets
The spring is a good time to think about getting some hens
What you need to know about adopting hens from the BHWT
Poultry leg rings are an invaluable tool for poultry keepers
There are a vast array of types of leg rings on the market and they can be used in many ways. Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through the choices and applications.
Broody Hen Disasters
Hatching chicks the natural way doesn't always go smoothly. Grant Brereton, author of The Broody Hen Hand Book, reveals some of the past challenges with broody hens that inspired his publication...
Watching the goats on the Watchlist
Rare Breeds Survival Trust Conservation Adviser Andrea Parry Jones looks at how we can help our native breed goat