Thursday, April 18, 2024
59.0°F
Poultry is susceptible to a variety of medical issues, just like any person, pet or livestock. Taking some simple precautions to ensure a healthy environment can ensure that they live happy, healthy, egg-producing lives.

Stories this photo appears in:

March 13, 2023 1 a.m.

Backyard chickens

What to do to raise happy, healthy egg producers

After egg prices hit record highs in late 2022 and early 2023, having a flock of backyard chickens to provide a personal supply of eggs can be tempting. Dr. Isabelle Louge, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers tips for designing coops and researching hatcheries before bringing chickens home and keeping them healthy and happy. First, Louge suggests that owners prepare a spacious coop with fencing to prevent overcrowding and predation, which is the act of one animal killing another for food.