Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Vaccinate Your Chicks
Most new chicks in commercial enterprises are immediately vaccinated for Marek's dis-
ease. Vaccine tends to come in large containers which can be a problem for small backyard
farmers. If you are getting your chicks from a commercial outfit check to see if they will
be vaccinated before you purchase them.
Separate Diseased Chicken
At the first sign of illness in a bird, isolate them from the rest of the flock. Signs of illness
in a chicken can include difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, feather loss, fever, a
wound, stiffness, discharge or diarrhea, and not eating or drinking.
Disposing of Dead Chicks or Chicken Properly
There can be a high mortality rate for chicks. Chickens are more likely to die from predat-
ors but they also can become sick with disease. Disposing of dead birds needs to be done
in accordance with local health laws. In most areas, acceptable disposal methods include
composting and incineration. Depending on the size of the poultry business, you must have
a disposal system in place.
