Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Source: Damerow, The Chicken Health Handbook.
The Author's Experience:Health Problems of the Older Hen
6
There are flock-replacement issues faced by commercial flock owners, but what
about those of you who want to keep your small flock for the extent of their lives?
Backyard flock owners often keep hens well into their geriatric years despite the drop
in production. These poultry keepers find they face many different health issues as
the hens age.
While production efficiency goes down precipitously as hens age, they can continue
to be healthy and productive for many years. These older hens can, however, be sus-
ceptible to health problems that do not usually crop up in short-lived commercial
flocks at the peak of their vitality and productivity. The following health issues are
problems I have encountered mainly in older hens, particularly those that have lived
in the same housing for many years. Young flocks that are rotated out of seasonal
housing and spend their production year outside on rotated pasture experience these
problems more rarely.
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot is lameness caused by foot lesions infected with the
Staphylococcus
aureus
bacteria. Staph can infect hens' feet when rough roosts, stony ground, or
chicken wire injures them. I have also seen staph develop in feet and shanks injured
by a tangle of the incredibly strong, fine string used to sew closed the tops of feed
bags. Injured feet exposed to wet dirty litter or muddy yards that have held chickens
for many years are especially susceptible. The first step to prevention is to remove
any surfaces or objects that might injure chicken feet. Ensure that perches are well
designed; circular hardwood perches with a flattened upper and lower surface are
ideal. Keep litter dry and friable but not too coarse. Eliminate sharp objects such as
loose chicken wire, exposed nails, broken perches, bent nest box edges, rusty metal
feeders, or old equipment in the chicken yard.
If a hen does become lame there are effective remedies. Wash the affected foot
thoroughly, open the abscess, squeeze out the infected core, clean with hydrogen per-
oxide or calendula tincture and wrap the foot with gauze or vet wrap. If you want to
allow the abscess to open naturally soak the foot in Epsom salts or apply a warm
linseed-meal poultice wrapped with gauze. If there is no abscess, but instead dry,
