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Prevent the most common problems when getting started with chickens
Bring us a list of your questions and photos to help get you started!
When you arrive you will receive a *** FREE personal appointment *** to look at chickens, So bring a list of your questions as well as photos or videos of your coop and the surrounding areas.
The MOST important thing to remember, when choosing chickens, is that your coop needs to be set up correctly and which chicken breeds and ages are the best for you.
Of course, the care and feeding of chickens. And it's easier than you may think!
If you have any current longstanding issues or need advanced services a private consultation service is available for a $50 consult fee.
Blue Store Ranch Policy
Our poultry barn and our home were built in the 1890s and our town and local area have lots of unique adventures when looking in your chicken adventure for the "right" chicken for your new flock.
OPTIONAL! 911 ON-CALL SERVICE FOR
You can also book an"eggslusive" and private chicken learning experience. We will arrange to have fresh farm eggs available for your kids (or you) to collect in our clean nest boxes! Grandmas and Mommys bring your cameras.
Fresh farm eggs are $10 for 18 eggs
(Please bring us egg cartons!)
You and your family can be assured only individual service.
We only will assist one family at a time in collecting and loading chickens. We gladly take the time to be sure that you are getting set up correctly.
BE SURE to have your cage or box ready to load poultry
CALL AHEAD if you want to be assured of a time slot.
Sudden weather changes may affect our schedule
Blue Star Ranch also offers delivery service to most areas around Houston and surrounding cities in our delivery area (minimum purchase required)
Overhandling for small chicks, (or any age chicken) while getting settled is not a good idea. Too much holding can lead to injury or stress diseases.
Plus, even small baby chicks can fly!
Small chicks are safer in a wire brooder instead of flying around your backyard.
Here are some VERY important tips when setting up your chick brooder pen.
Also, remember getting your outdoor coop prepared for chickens is very important.
How to identify and treat sick chickens
Even if your pet dog wants to play with your new pets he is much larger and can cause injury or worse.
Use caution showing your chickens to your dogs or cats. Or even better, keep your new chickens away from all dogs.
Here is our best suggestion for getting your dog introduced to chickens.
When purchasing your pullets or hens, consider bringing home (borrow) a small "training rooster" that is too young to crow! (no noise or neighbor problems)
Once you let your chickens out for free-ranging then eventually predators will become bold enough to attack your flock
Use care if you free-range chickens even in a small backyard there are many quick predators that will be looking for a meal - And chickens running free are an easy dinner for a fast predator.
Be aware that 70% to 90% of ALL chicks from major hatcheries in the USA are carriers of MG. And unless you raise your chickens in indoor facilities all chickens are subject to the perils of Mother- Nature, weather, bugs, or predators, and diseases like Mycoplasma, and eventually, all chickens will have to be replaced over time.
Here it is in a "nutshell." What have I learned from raising chickens in the last 14 years? People have changed, but chickens are still agricultural farm animals.
And I have learned that raising chickens is a "cycle" of replacements as your coop needs change, or your chickens begin to age, sometimes there are losses due to illness or predators ALL chickens will need to be replenished and replaced over time.
The real truth is, raising chickens from chicks to grow hens for eggs or establishing a coop for a flock of hens takes time, experience, and skill. Just remember the basics and your chicken adventure will be a lot easier!
When you get your chickens home to the new coop or brooder, remember to leave them alone to settle down, and it's normal for lots of peeping & clucking "chicken chatter" as they are getting used to the new area.
It's a good idea to not make changes to the daily routine for your new chickens upon arrival, for "eggsample" keep your chickens on the same feed formula. And remember, when moving chickens it can take them a few days to settle down and start laying eggs.
Use care if you free-range chickens even in a small backyard there are many quick predators that will be looking for a meal.
Most people setting up coops for the 1st time want "very clean pens" Read this page 1st before choosing your chickens' bedding. chickens NEED old coop bacteria to establish their gut health or else you may face future health problems if your coop is "too clean!" (Do not use harsh chemicals or cleaners)
Its important to build a natural eco-system with the proper bacteria for your chickens overall health.
Follow Easy Steps to Success
Portable UV light product information UV light, short for Ultra Violet light, is not actually a light, but energy waves emitted naturally by the sun. In fact, anything that emits heat will also emit UV light. UV light is at the violet spectrum of light and has a wavelength of 254nm, rendering it invisible to the human eye.
Portable UV disinfection light. The lightweight and convenient hand-held design of the UV light can sterilize the required area at any time. Maintain cleanliness in the room, closet, and household items. Avoid being covered by the harmful microorganisms
UV light can kill common germs/diseases in poultry coops such as the multi drug resista
Portable UV disinfection light. The lightweight and convenient hand-held design of the UV light can sterilize the required area at any time. Maintain cleanliness in the room, closet, and household items. Avoid being covered by the harmful microorganisms
and or
We all want our pet chickens to be happy and healthy, and for birds, that means providing them with light and heat. These lights will provide supplement ultraviolet calcium to convert D3 calcium absorption, and even add a heat lamp for more warmth.
It simulates sunlight and provides appropriate ultraviolet rays and temperatures to meet th
We all want our pet chickens to be happy and healthy, and for birds, that means providing them with light and heat. These lights will provide supplement ultraviolet calcium to convert D3 calcium absorption, and even add a heat lamp for more warmth.
It simulates sunlight and provides appropriate ultraviolet rays and temperatures to meet the needs of birds for their natural growth environment. similar to natural environments where there is more direct sunlight and more exposure
UV (Full Spectrum) lighting systems are used in Schools, Hospitals, and Restaurants for keeping the surfaces germ free.
Sunlight and a good diet are the BEST resources for keeping your chickens healthy, And in many cases adding full-spectrum UV lighting can prevent many diseases in your flock
MY BEST TIPS TO KEEP POULTRY HEALTHY!
Daily/Weekly Add to Each Gallon of Drinking Water:
(but not metal containers)
1- Ounce Chicken Probiotics/Electrolights
OR
Other products to use and keep & use for chickens near your chicken coop are:
(SSHHH!!! It's a secret!...) Fish Antibiotics are NOT regulated in any way for purchase. These are the same antibiotics used for humans, dogs, and cats! Plus you do not need a Veterinarian or a prescription. Be sure to read the label directions for measurement and dosage)
And
And
Poultry Medications - No Prescription Needed
After the rainy season, there are millions of tiny bugs that can harm chickens - as well as worms in their gut system. Take care of your chickens by controlling parasites.
Flies, mites, and bugs can stress out chickens to the point of getting respiratory illnesses or even worse. The worse predators are the tiny bugs that you cant see!
Consider using Ivermectin parasiticide - READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY- It stops worms and parasites.
CONSIDER GETTING YOUR OWN BUG REMOVAL SYSTEM TO PROTECT YOUR CHICKENS IN YOUR OUTDOOR COOP
(Note: Mosquitoes/gnats/flies can even kill CATTLE, after a heavy rainstorm and in standing water so spraying coops for pests to protect chickens is essential!) (bugs breed in coop bedding, dust, and near spider webs. Also in standing water much of the year)
Other products to use and keep & use for chickens and near your chicken coop are:
CORID
ORGANIC CHARCOAL
LIQUID SEVIN 500 SPRAY
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
Most chickens, especially sick ones, need "eggstra" vitamin D and sometimes the sunlight is not always around where you need it.
Install UV light sanitizer FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTING to kill bacteria and viruses. Some UV lights can be portable & can be used in coops - use small UV lights in your coop or barn to kill germs & it can help the sick chickens!
If you do not raise your chicken in an indoor climate-controlled regulated ventilated building with bacterial control and on wire cages - like large corporations, but instead put your chicken in the backyard or free-range OUTDOORS and allow them to have unregulated bacteria them then understand its just Mother Nature, and Natural Selection! that will "rule the roost"
SOME CHICKENS CAN GET SICK!) But overall MOST chickens (strong commercial breeds) will live and fare well based on your weather, environment, etc.
Doing your own "research" by reading "Backyard Chickens" or calling your friend that has 3 pet hens to advise you is not the same as my years of "eggperience" raising chickens! So believe me or not, this is up to you to decide.
It's important to keep your coop clear of debris and spilled feed that may attract rodents. Rats and mice leave droppings that may make chickens sick
Vetericyn Plus® Pink Eye Spray is specially formulated for irritated eyes showing signs of Pink Eye. Based on advanced hypochlorous technology, Vetericyn Plus® Pink Eye Spray is formulated at an appropriate pH level and will not burn or sting. Apply to eyes to provide relief from irritation, burning, stinging, itching, pollutants and other foreign materials. Also, use to wash away mucus secretions and discharge. This product is also helpful for symptoms of conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), eye abrasions, and eye irritation. The trigger spray applicator facilitates application directly to the eye and is safe for all animal species of all ages, and life stages. From your home to the farm or ranch, Vetericyn makes caring for your livestock simple and easy.
There are many types of garlic for your chicken's diet. It's important to use garlic (powder/fresh/dehydrated/oil) whatever is best for your coop to your chicken's diet. You can add to the water or even easier add several tablespoons of dried powder per pound of feed. Every time you feed your chickens sprinkle garlic powder or granules & mix it into the feed.
IMPORTANT: adding garlic to the diet will stop most bug bites!
MUST-READ: What steps to take if your chicken has symptoms for Mycoplasma
Many new people that are starting their first flock will spend a fortune at the veterinarians if their chicken shows signs of illness. And it does not escape the vet's office that you will pay $$$ to save your pet!
(Which will NOT solve the problem!)
(Note I am NOT a licensed vet!) But I will be able to tell you what is the most likely cause for your chicken's behavior and the possible problems. Many times - making a few changes in your coop or how you care for chickens can solve many problems.
FACT- Nearly all vets practice in small animals cats and dogs and have little or no "eggsperience with chickens"
1) READ OUR GUARANTEE PAGE AND UNDERSTAND THAT CHICKENS ARE FLOCK AGRICULTURAL BIRDS AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UTILITY BIRDS AND THAT ARE REPLACEABLE - Some chickens can live for years as long as ten years, but understand that they are not lifetime pets.
70% to 90% of ALL chickens are carriers of Mycoplasma MG and can exhibit signs if they become stressed or sudden changes to their environment.