Tuesday November 3, 2009, 3:37 pm
Excellent article Cher! It covers everything I am amazed. One thing that is very disturbing where I live and I live in farm country. We have no poultry vets in this area we have to drive for over an hour and a half to the outskirts of Baltimore to even find a vet that truly knows how to treat birds! He still is not an expert at poultry cproblems but he gave my beloved Pufflet the best of care for over a week until her exploratory surgery which ultimately killed her. Not his fault she was too sick ,and even after all that he still did not know what was wrong!!! It can be heartbreaking as this was for me.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 3:42 pm


I thought you might like this one Tierney hun!

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 4:54 pm
WOW I am amazed at this information. I was totally not aware of the expense of chickens. we had them when i was a kid, and never had the problems this article talks about.

i think adopting chickens is great, if like any other animal they are taken care of. meds, vet calls etc. and when they dont lay eggs they are kept as pets and not killed.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 6:28 pm
There is nothing wrong with chickens...Tierney this is when you educate yourself and be your own doctor...its not hard just takes a bit of time.

Big Gorilly Hugs

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 4:48 am
Unfortunately, not alot is taught about bird care, I found as a veterinary technician. (they fall under "Exotic Animal Care".. which is NOT ven a required cours but an elective, and many students chose to skip the entire course... as it s rather dificult(same thing or reptile care and medicine).

I suggest anyone wishin to learn more about bird care(without the expense of going to college)... volunteer at local bird aviary/sanctuary- (a certified, liceced one)and people who specialize in bird care are usually very willing to share informaton an knowledge

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 4:51 am
sorry about all the typos....my keyboard is SKIPPING like crazy... it usually does on Care2 lately...

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 5:09 am
This is basically what I have had to do. I have been raising chickens for almost 9 years. I have seen quite a few of the problems listed in the article with the exception of the whole flock getting newcastle disease or any of the other very contagious diseases. Those are fairly rare in backyard flocks that I know of. I have dealt with the mites, picked up by a supplier I got chicken feed from! So yes Nyack and Gorilly you do have to be a self taught vet tech! Many of the minor problems such as worms and lice can easily be treated by a vet (or even yourself )who does exotic birds. They also sell many of the medicines at feed stores or companies that sell live poultry. McMurrays for instance. I was able to treat an eye infection myself thanks to my good friend who has been raising chickens all his life!! For the most part chickens are very easy and not expensive to keep. Make sure they have a good diet with calcium and grit added and greens too. Keep them safe from predators!! This is one you do not want to have to deal with. it happende to me three times and it is a shocker and a heartbreaker as well. I don't want to discourage anyone either from keeping these wonderful birds! I do think it is important to know what you are getting into ahead of time though unlike me who dove in head first and never looked back or ever regretted it! I love them dearly ,and they have brought so much joy into my life I would do anything for them!