FACTS: IF YOU RAISE YOUR CHICKENS IN TRADITIONAL COOPS
THE WEATHER, BACTERIA, RODENTS, INSECTS, PREDATORS, AND MANY OTHER FACTORS MAY AFFECT THEIR HEALTH.
So if you choose to raise "natural or backyard chickens" then understand that sometimes chickens can become ill from bad weather, flooding, or the bacteria on the ground that they eat. Constant changing weather (even if you have a covered coop) is one of your biggest concerns.
Indoor poultry barns are climate-controlled and keep a steady temperature for chickens throughout their life. Constant steady temperatures and proper ventlation are important for the health of chickens
Do you raise your chickens in an enclosed building with fresh air and a circulated sanitized breeze?
Most backyard pet owners do not raise chickens this way. You can consider your chickens "natural" chickens if they are raised in a traditional coop environment
Blowing fans can eliminate most bugs and circulate fresh sanitary air plus maintain the temperature
Biosecure coops may reduce many of the common problems raising chickens
Chickens need plenty of sunlight and clean air. Notice the UV daylight full-spectrum bulbs that prevent diseases
When growing your chickens in traditional coops understand that Mother Nature is in control of your ecosystem and environment.
Each and every coop is different and every family and caretakers have their own method of raising chickens.
Chickens are living animals and subject to Mother Nature 100%- thus see our "healthy guarantee"
Be sure to read about common chicken genetics and current breeds that are available
ALL CHICKS & HENS ARE SOLD "AS IS" Policy
Flies, Gnats, Spider Mites, Horse Flies do readily fly into all coops. Insects can and do sting chickens that stress their systems and can cause illness or even worse. Sometimes the worst predators, are the ones that you can't see.
CONSIDER GETTING YOUR OWN BUG REMOVAL SYSTEM TO PROTECT YOUR CHICKENS IN YOUR OUTDOOR COOP
Rodents of all sizes live and breed around coops. Rats and mice leave droppings that cause illnesses in birds. And rats eat feed, damage coops, and even kill small chicks and chickens.
Wildbirds fly into most coops and run areas to feed and eat spilled grains. Native birds migrate from many states in the USA and can sometimes bring an assortment of feces and diseases that may cause illness in chickens
So if you have rodents in and around your coop, it's likely that there are snakes. Rat snakes are often called chicken snakes because they hang around chicken coops. Their intent is to eat rats and mice, but after they've cleared out the rodents they look around for something else to eat. Bird eggs are often on a rat snake's menu, and poultry eggs are no exception. Young poultry are also of interest.
THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC FACT!
Chickens that eat bacteria (they ALL do) eat dirt or poop and other germs from the ground can ingest bacteria that remains "dormant." Now when the weather changes outdoors (In Texas we can have 30 to 50 Fahrenheit degree changes in a matter of hours.) Or from dry to wet (or wet to dry!) The "dormant" bacteria that your chicken ate can become "active" and cause illness in chickens.
Most chickens recover and have strong immune systems to absorb bad bacteria and re-align their gut systems.
AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE AND THE CHANGING SEASONS PREDATORS MAY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THE FALL AND WINTER
Here are the top 10 predators to watch for:
Dogs, Foxes, Racoons, Hawks, Owls, Bears, Skunks, Cats, Weasels,Snakes
Most predators will hunt day or night and really are not concerned if you are "watching" your flock from your easy chair with a glass of tea, (really you won't deter some predators at all!)
A hungry predator can strike in seconds and most of the time the best solution is a large heavy-duty chicken run and not letting your flock free-range outside the safety of the coop and run area.
In this link below we will talk about the above-mentioned predators, and share some tips on how to protect your chickens and coops from break-ins.
Review the helpful tips below and be prepared for a predator to eventually be hunting a chicken dinner.