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Herbs for Chickens -Top 6 to Grow for your Flock

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If you’re growing a garden, consider adding herbs for chickens. Their benefits are two-fold, because they’re good for your birds and you! Herbs are notoriously easy to grow and maintain. They’re not picky and can be grown in almost any soil and will adapt to almost any situation (except being waterlogged). You can even add them near your coop and run for easy access for your chickens.

Photos of beneficial herbs to grow for your chicken flock including: rosemary, lavender, mint, oregano, basil, and sage.
Herbs are beneficial to grow for your chicken flock.

1. Mint for Use in Chicken Runs and Nesting Boxes

Mint is probably the herb that most folks can call to mind easily. It comes in a variety of flavors and fragrances and has unlimited uses. Think candy canes at Christmas courtesy of peppermint or mint juleps during the Kentucky Derby courtesy of spearmint.

It’s a perennial that’s easy to grow and given to spreading, so if you don’t want it everywhere, be sure to grow it in a container to keep the plant from spreading roots.

Peppermint is a great herb for chickens in the coop since it can be used as a natural insect and rodent repellant. Hang peppermint to dry in the coop and grow it near the doors and other areas where rodents may enter. You can also add it fresh or dried to the nest boxes. If it’s added fresh, be sure to remove it promptly so it does not rot.

Photo of mint.
Mint is a great addition to your chicken coop nesting boxes

2. Lavender Herbs for Chickens

Bug repellant may not be the first property you associate with lavender, but this lovely scent does repel insects! This is one of the many reasons it’s popular as a sachet for drawers and closets and it can be used the same way in the chicken coop. Grow it decoratively near the coop doors and most folks will just think it’s pretty, but you’ll know better. Lavender can also be added dried or fresh to nest boxes.

3. Oregano Herbs for Chicken Health

While famous for being used in pizzas and spaghetti sauces, oregano has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It should not be used as a replacement for proper veterinary medicine and poultry hygiene, but having it available in your herbs for chicken’s arsenal can be helpful to support a healthy immune system. You may find oregano is the herb your chickens will peck and eat in small quantities daily if they are allowed access to it near their coop and run. Chickens know what’s good for them! FYI – If growing herbs isn’t high on your list, oregano does come in supplements specifically for chickens.

4. Basil Herbs for Chicken Health

Growing basil is a win-win for your chickens and you. Think pesto! High in vitamins and antioxidants, basil can benefit the circulatory and respiratory systems. Basil also contains xanthophyll, a plant pigment that helps keep your chicken’s egg yolks bright orange.  

Basil can become leggy and go to seed during the hot summer months. Be sure to keep it pruned back for a full, healthy plant.

Photo of basil.
Basil can help keep egg yolks bright orange

5. Rosemary Herbs for Insect Repellant

This piney-scented herb is a native of the Mediterranean. In the southern United States, it can be grown outdoors year-round and in northern areas, it needs to be grown as an annual or moved indoors before the first frost.

Similar to Lavender, rosemary can be used as an insect repellant in the chicken coop. Make an easy coop insect spray with water and rosemary essential oil. Spray it throughout the coop regularly. Insects will hate it, you’ll love the smell. Just be sure not to make the bedding soaking wet, a light mist will do.

6. Sage Herbs for Chickens

In the garden, sage can be a reminder of Thanksgiving, but it’s more than just a holiday herb. It is high in vitamins and antioxidants which help support a healthy immune system and fight off diseases. Sage grows best in a sunny spot and its spring flowers are perfect for early pollinators. Sage can become woody and leggy over time, so be prepared to replace or propagate new plants as needed.

Three chicks perching on the edge of an herb harden bed.
Fresh herbs are beneficial for all ages in the flock

The bottom line is that growing herbs for chickens isn’t a cure-all for pests and illness, but it’s fun and it can certainly take your chicken-keeping to the next level. Do you have an herb garden in your yard? Share in the comments below.

The post Herbs for Chickens -Top 6 to Grow for your Flock appeared first on My Pet Chicken Blog.


A Guide to Building a Chicken First Aid Kit

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Owning a chicken first aid kit for your flock is a must! Let’s face it, no matter what level chicken keeper you are, there will eventually come a day that an illness or accident happens and you will need medical supplies for a member of your flock. As luck will have it, these events notoriously happen after hours, on weekends, or holidays when stores are closed. Inevitably leaving you frantically running around searching for supplies like a chicken with its…(well, you get the idea). Preparing for the worst now will surely save you much stress, time, and grief later.

Photo of the front of a chicken first aid kit
My Pet Chicken’s Ready-Made First Aid Kit

So what supplies do you need for a chicken first aid kit?

It’s best to think about the most common types of injuries or illnesses you’ll be treating for. Predator attacks or pecking injuries are some of the most common types of trauma you’ll see, so supplies for wound care are a must! My Pet Chicken has made it easy by offering a ready-made First Aid Kit for your convenience or you can certainly build your own.

Planning ahead can save critical time when you have a sick or injured bird. First, you will want to separate the patient from the flock to prevent further injury and give her a quiet, safe, stress-free, area to recover. Some options for a hospital cage can be our Hen Pen Pop-Up Brooder, a large pet carrier, or a wire dog crate. Depending on her injury there should be enough space for her to move around, but not too much space that she will further injure herself. Having a hospital cage at the ready will most certainly save you time.

A sick chicken sits in a hospital cage
A hospital cage is essential for a sick or injured bird.

Having Veterinary resources is a must!

As a former veterinary technician, I’m often asked what is a “must-have” in MY chicken first aid kit. My answer surprises people and is often overlooked. It’s a list of local veterinarians that treat chickens since not all veterinarians are knowledgeable about chickens. As backyard flocks are becoming more popular and people are treating them like any other pet, more vets are adding them to their patient list.

Call your local small animal vets, farm vets, or avian vets and ask if they treat chickens. In multi vet practices, ask if all the vets will see them or only specific vets. Your list should include the name of the hospital, address, vet names, contact information, and hours. While treating some minor issues at home is fine, having a go-to list of vets in your area when you need it is invaluable. It’s also important to update this list once a year…checking current contacts and possibly adding any new ones.

Another great option My Pet Chicken is offering is VetTriage. VetTriage gives you instant video televet sessions with a licensed and experienced veterinarian to advise you and your pet on the next step in a time of need! They are open 24/7/365 and are ready to provide telehealth services for your chicken or any other bird for a reasonable fee.

A sick chicken is being held by a Veterinarian for an exam.
Veterinary care for your flock is invaluable

Can I make my own chicken first aid kit?

Absolutely! If you’ve had chickens for a while you probably have the beginnings of a kit already! I like to keep all of my first aid supplies together in a small plastic tote. A small toolbox or fishing tackle box also makes a great way to keep your first aid supplies together, organized, and ready to grab whenever you need them.

Where do I find supplies?

Most of the supplies listed below can be found at any pharmacy. Budget-conscious shoppers can score big at your local Dollar store whether you are creating a first aid kit from scratch or restocking your existing kit. My Pet Chicken offers many products made specifically for poultry. You can often find some of them at your local feed store as well. Putting together a first aid kit can be quite expensive so I recommend starting with essential supplies and adding items from the advanced and optional supply lists over time as your budget allows. Adding just one new item per month will have your kit well-stocked in no time!

Chicken first aid kit essentials

  • Surgical Gloves
  • Syringes of various sizes with and without needles
  • Eye dropper
  • Nail Clippers
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Thermometer
  • Elastic Bandage material (i.e Vetwrap, Flexwrap)
  • Gauze pads
  • Cotton balls
  • Q-tips
  • Medical tape
  • Old Towels (use as bedding for ill birds or wrapping/restraint)
  • Hospital Cage
  • Flashlight/Headlamp
  • Veterinary Contact Info

Advanced chicken first aid kit supplies

  • Poultry Vitamins
  • Electrolytes
  • Probiotic
  • Epsom Salts (soaking injuries or egg bound etc)
  • Salve or Vaseline (frostbite prevention, leg mites)
  • Betadine Solution (dilute 1:10 with sterile water/saline for flushing wounds)
  • Vetericyn Solution (or other wound spray, Blue Kote not recommended for open wounds)
  • KY/sterile lubricant
  • Tums/Calcium Supplement (egg bound)
  • Saline Solution (flushing eye injuries)
  • Styptic Powder, Dust On!, Cornstarch, or Flour (broken nails, minor bleeding combs/wattles)
  • Vet RX (respiratory)
  • Antibiotic Ointment (without pain reliever)
  • Corid/Amprolium (Coccidiosis treatment)

Other chicken first aid kit items to consider

  • Super glue (beak repair)
  • Preparation H (without pain reliever, to help reduce pain/swelling with prolapsed vent)
  • PRID drawing salve (bumblefoot)
  • Nutridrench
  • Polyvisol (without iron)
  • Activated Charcoal (suspected poisoning)
  • Rubbing Alcohol (to clean/sterilize instruments, not wound care)
  • Small notebook/pencil for treatment notes
  • Medication chart including dosages, purpose and withdrawal times
  • Chicken Medical Book such as Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow
  • Basin or small tote for soaking
  • Scale (to weigh bird for accurate medication dosing)
  • Magnifying glass
  • Popsicle sticks, Tongue depressors or paint sticks for splints or splay leg treatment
  • Chicken Saddle
  • Pinless peepers
  • Sugar/Honey (added to water to give weak chicks a boost of energy, honey has natural antibacterial properties to help heal wounds and sugar can reduce prolapse swelling by osmotically drawing out the fluid.)

But how do I use these chicken first aid kit supplies?

As every successful flock owner knows, it’s not a matter “IF” you will ever need a poultry first aid kit it is a matter of “WHEN” you will need it. No matter how safe we try to keep them, our feathered friends will find a way to get themselves into trouble from time to time. It’s not only important to have first aid supplies but to learn basic first aid skills as well. My Pet Chicken has an extensive help library on how to manage many illnesses and injuries as well as the aforementioned VetTriage. PoultryDVM is also a great resource for reliable information on poultry health issues and common treatments.

If you take steps to prepare now, when illness or injury strikes your flock, you will be much more adept at staying calm to handle the situation and your bird will have a greater chance at recovery.

The post A Guide to Building a Chicken First Aid Kit appeared first on My Pet Chicken Blog.

Cold weather chickens – 8 things NOT to do to in winter

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How to prepare your chickens for winter isn’t especially intuitive. In fact, many people may take steps that can actually make things more difficult for their flock rather than helping them to become cold weather chickens!  Choosing cold-hardy breeds (if you live in an area of cold winters) is certainly an important first step! But presuming you’ve already made good breed choices, you’ll also want to know what NOT to do for your cold-weather chickens.

chicken in winter

Cold weather chickens – 8 things NOT to do to in winter

1. Don’t keep your chickens closed up in their coop when it’s cold.

Good cold weather chickens can be allowed to decide when they want to stay in or come out. You might think that your chickens won’t want to go outside in the snow, and sometimes that’s true. Some of your chickens will hate it, and will stay inside most of the day, but others won’t mind it at all.

The only time I keep the coop door closed during the day is when the snow is too deep for my cold weather chickens to walk in, or when it’s just so bitter and windy I know no one will come out. (And even then, I sometimes open the door just in case).

2. Don’t tightly insulate your coop.

I know that seems strange, but it’s true–tightly insulated coops can cause more harm than good. If your coop is tightly insulated, not only will it retain heat, it will also retain moisture… and retaining moisture in the coop is very, very bad.

Chickens create a lot of moisture from their respirations. A lot of moisture also evaporates from their droppings. And in winter, they’ll be spending more time inside, even if just because of the longer winter nights! More droppings build-up—and more moisture. And the problem is that lot of moisture in the air can condense, freeze, and contribute to frostbite. All that humidity also increases the risk of unhealthy conditions in the coop leading to respiratory ailments and mold-related illnesses. Plus, poor ventilation can also cause ammonia gas to build up inside your coop, which is damaging to your chickens’ lungs.

You can have some insulation in cold areas, but remember that cold weather chickens need a coop to be well ventilated, to avoid moisture build-up, but not drafty

3. Don’t assume you need to heat your coop

This is another piece of advice that seems completely counter-intuitive…however it’s good advice for a number of reasons, unless you live in a region that regularly drops below twenty degrees outside.

Chickens adapt to lower temperatures over time. If the coop is heated, they’ll never become real cold weather chickens; they’ll never get used to the cold winter temperatures outside. Then, if you lose power and their heat goes out, the sudden sharp drop in temperatures with no time to acclimate means you could lose your whole flock in one terrible, fell swoop.

Even if it doesn’t come to that, if your chickens are hesitant to spend time outside, they will spend even more time inside the coop making the air wet and breathing the unhealthy, moist air. Finally, heating the coop is a fire hazard if you’re using an infrared heat bulb (they can get up to 435 degrees!)

You might heat your coop during sudden, precipitous drops in temperature, just to help ease the transition for my cold weather chickens , or when the temperatures are below zero for extended periods. If you live in an area where you have to heat your coop, consider getting a backup generator so you don’t lose birds during a loss of power.

You might also choose a heater like the Cozy Coop Heater or Sweeter Heater, which don’t heat your whole coop, but rather take the edge off when your chicken cozies right up next to it for a reprieve.

4. Don’t forget to gather eggs more often than usual.

If you have cold weather chickens, some may continue to lay during the winter, and the eggs could freeze. While this doesn’t really hurt them, you can’t then eat the eggs because they’re at high risk for bacterial contamination. What happens is that the frozen egg contents expand, and can create tiny hairline cracks in the shell you might not see with the naked eye. The cracks can let bacteria into the shell. Of course, at cold temperatures, the bacteria doesn’t grow very quickly, but nonetheless, keeping cracked eggs is just not a good idea.

Plus, there’s nothing like opening your refrigerator to find that an egg has thawed and seeped out all over everything—ugh, what a mess!

Frozen eggs

5. Don’t let your water freeze.

Keeping fresh, unfrozen water for your flock in the winter can be a challenge. There are always the heated waterers, but—I admit it—I don’t care for these very much. (There are people here at My Pet Chicken who swear by them, though, and they may work for you just fine.)

Personally, I don’t like the fire risk, although they are much safer than as trying to heat the coop. I’ve also found them to be generally harder to use and clean than regular waterers. One heated waterer I had filled itself so close to the rim that it needed to be EXACTLY level so it wouldn’t simply pour its contents out on the floor. Another worked well, except for the fact that the chickens kept unplugging it. A third functioned nicely in reasonably mild cold weather, but in very bitter cold, the top of the reservoir would freeze, so that the bottom heated portion where the chickens were meant to drink from would run completely dry.

I haven’t found a heated waterer that works very well for me and my cold weather chickens. Instead, I just use multiple waterers. In the morning, I bring in a fresh waterer, and bring in the waterer that was in the coop overnight, and is now frozen. By the time that one is thawed, the other one is nearly frozen, so I switch them out. It requires a lot of walking and carrying, but my preference is to do it that way rather than use expensive heated waterers for my flock.

6. Don’t put off coop cleaning.

Because your cold-weather chickens will be spending more time inside and creating more droppings inside as a result, the coop will need cleaning more often. For myself, I like to use the deep litter method for managing my coop rather than frequent cleanings, but even doing that, new bedding needs to be added more frequently in the winter to make sure everything stays dry and cozy.

7. Don’t let your birds get too bored.

If they have a very small coop and run, there may not be a whole lot to entertain your flock like there is during warmer months. When snow is on the ground, there will be little or no sunbathing. With the ground frozen, dust bathing is unlikely. There won’t be lots of bugs to catch or greens to forage. Bored birds may become snippy or even aggressive with one another if there isn’t anything to think about or do other than reinforce the pecking order over and over again.

Alleviate some of the boredom for your cold-weather chickens by adding treats to their area. For instance, hang a head of cabbage in your coop for your girls to peck at. As they peck, it swings, making it more difficult to eat immediately, and keeping them entertained for hours. My chickens, seemingly unlike any other chickens in the world, don’t care for cabbage. Still, there are other treats that work well for entertainment… for example, suet cakes. I prefer to use something high protein, like the Treat Square Cake designed for chickens and other domestic poultry. In winter, something with high fat (including scratch or cracked corn) gives them the extra calories they need to help stay warm. You can also simply scatter some scratch inside the run for them to forage for. That’ll keep them entertained, too.

8. Don’t skimp on the grit.

Chickens usually pick up grit naturally from small pebbles they ingest while foraging around, scratching through the dirt in search of morsels to eat. The grit acts like “teeth” to help their gizzard “chew” their food. In winter, however, the ground may be frozen and too hard for a bird to dislodge any pieces to pick up grit naturally. In this case, it’s wise to make sure your birds have plenty of supplemental grit to help them digest their feed. Your flock will thank you for providing this digestive assistance on those cold winter days!

Do you have any other suggestions for preparing your cold-weather chickens for winter? Please share below in the comments!

The post Cold weather chickens – 8 things NOT to do to in winter appeared first on My Pet Chicken Blog.

Avian Influenza is here: 5 takeaways

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You’ve heard about highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the news unless you’ve been hiding under a rock! Wondering what this means for chicken keepers? Here are five key takeaways. 

Keep your flock safe from Avian Influenza with these tips

1. Your flock can’t contract Avian Influenza from My Pet Chicken’s chicks.

Let’s address the pink elephant in the room first. Our breeder flocks are kept in the most biosecure manner possible and are frequently tested for illness, both by our flock management team and by state NPIP officials. Furthermore, HPAI doesn’t quietly linger in infected flocks – it’ll make itself known within a matter of hours or days and causes utter devastation. In other words, there’s no wondering if our breeder birds could be infected: we’d know. And our flocks are healthy. (As are most other hatchery’s flocks, for that matter.)

In fact, several states have banned all poultry purchases except from reputable sources like ours. See more on this in #5. 

2. Isolate your flock from wild birds, and practice good biosecurity

Droppings and fluids from wild birds are what spread avian influenza, so this is the first and most important rule for you to follow. This means you can’t allow your flock to drink from or bathe in water sources that wild birds could access, and you can’t allow your flock outdoors unless your run is covered or has an impervious roof. 

Why? Because HPAI is a death sentence for your flock. 

If that means you have to keep your flock indoors all the time, so be it. Within a period of just 10 days, the current strain of Eurasian H5 Avian Influenza spread to five states: Maine, New York, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and South Carolina. If you free-range your birds, or allow them out into uncovered runs, you’re taking a terrible chance. 

But don’t think you need an engineer to redesign your setup. Heck, isolation could be as easy as covering your existing poultry run with a brand new tarp.  

And don’t forget to follow the other key biosecurity practices, too. (We know, we know – you already know all about them, but it always bears repeating!)

3. Don’t worry; you won’t catch avian influenza from your flock.

Nobody in the US ever has, in fact. We wrote a whole manifesto on this; read it here if you’re worried. 

4. Prepare for an egg and meat shortage (and higher prices). 

Within just ten days, highly pathogenic avian influenza went from zero to being found in several commercial flocks in five different states, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of commercial turkeys, chickens, and layer hens. It’s unlikely to stop there: the 2015 bird flu outbreak resulted in the deaths of 50 million chickens across the USA, and this strain has already resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of birds in Europe. What this means, not just for poultry keepers like us but for every American, is that there won’t be enough eggs and poultry meat to satisfy demand. Of course, this will result in even higher prices at the grocery store than we’re already paying. 

So how can you prepare for that? By increasing your own flock. Unlike most people, you already have the facilities, equipment, and know-how to raise birds. Whether it’s because you might not be able to afford grocery store eggs once higher prices set in, because you may be able to help feed your neighborhood when there are shortages, or even because you could fetch record high prices for your extra eggs, we can’t think of a better time to grow your own flock than right now. 

A flock of white chickens is shown in an enclosed barn which keeps them safe from Avian Influenza and other illnesses.
Our breeder flocks at My Pet chicken are kept in biosecure housing and tested frequently for illnesses including Avian Flu.

5. Only purchase poultry from reputable sources, and stay away from other people’s flocks.

Who doesn’t love scoring some special or hard-to-find breeds online? Or scooping up a group of hens whose owner is moving? For now, you must resist the temptation. Don’t acquire birds from neighbors, friends, your local breeder, or some rando on Facebook. You shouldn’t sell your birds to other people, either. 

In fact, states are starting to ban such activities. The Georgia Department of Agriculture, for instance, just announced that the following activities are suspended until further notice: “exhibitions, shows, sales (flea markets, auction markets), swaps and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl.” 

However, you can purchase from NPIP-approved flocks like ours. Why? Because the USDA and State Departments of Agriculture recognize that our breeder flocks are registered and regularly tested for all manner of illness, including Avian Influenza. In fact, purchasing from a reputable hatchery or hatching from your own flock is the only safe way to acquire birds at the moment. 

There you have it, friends. Just be smart, be safe, and go ahead and get yourself some more chickens and ducks. (Come to think of it, how’s that any different from what we do every day?)

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Has the Avian Flu Outbreak Affected Your State?

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A comprehensive guide to keeping yourself informed about the HPAI outbreak.

The avian flu outbreak in the United States has affected commercial and backyard flocks of over 43.5 million birds in 39 states. An additional 41 states have reported HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) cases that have also been found in wild bird species. Here is the up-to-date information you need to know about to protect your flock members.

Complete United States Avian Flu Outbreak Map

State by State HPAI Data Listed Below

Avian Flu Outbreak state-by-state

What is HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza)?

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also referred to as avian flu or bird flu, is a highly contagious disease caused by the avian influenza virus. It mainly affects birds and can be deadly among backyard flocks. The avian flu can strike suddenly and spread quickly, as we have seen across North America in 2022.

How does Avian Flu spread?

HPAI spreads by direct, bird-to-bird contact and can also spread indirectly when flock members come in contact with contaminated materials. Potential sources of introduction of avian flu into your backyard flock are; poultry products, the transfer of poultry from flock to flock, and migratory birds (including wild ducks and geese.) HPAI can also be spread and moved in manure, egg cartons, farming equipment, and by people who may have inadvertently transferred the virus onto their clothing, shoes, or hands.

What are the signs and symptoms of Avian Flu?

  1. coughing
  2. sneezing
  3. darkened comb/wattles
  4. swelling of the head/eyes
  5. nasal discharge
  6. lethargy
  7. loose droppings
  8. drop in laying
A hen sick with the avian flu virus

What to do if you think a member of your flock is sick with avian flu.

If members of your flock show signs of illness, isolate and quarantine them from other members immediately. Then contact your local veterinarian or your appropriate state department right away. You can also call the USDA at 1-866-536-7593. Early detection is essential to help prevent the spread of the avian flu.

There is no treatment for HPAI, and if you have a confirmed case of HPAI in your flock, unfortunately, all members of your flock will need to be put down. Culling is the only way to prevent the spread of the disease to nearby farms and flocks. While it may seem cruel, culling birds with confirmed infection may save the lives of thousands or even millions of other birds and therefore is the only responsible course of action.

An infographic sharing ways to help protect your flock from Avian Flu.
Biosecurity Basics to help protect your flock from the Avian Flu Outbreak

Tips for preventing Avian flu in your backyard flock - Biosecurity basics

  1. Keep germs away – Always wash your hands before and after coming into contact with your backyard flock. Also, be sure to disinfect any supplies or equipment that comes into contact with your flock.
  2. Avoid wild birds – Droppings and fluids from wild birds spread avian influenza. The first and most important rule for you is to practice good biosecurity. This means you can’t allow your flock to drink from or bathe in water sources that wild birds could access, and you can’t allow your flock outdoors unless your run is covered or has an impervious roof. Make sure to quarantine any birds showing signs of infection.
  3. Limit visitors to your coop and farm – Try to avoid any unnecessary visits to your coop or farm. If you have visitors, encourage them to wash their hands and boots or wear gloves and protective boot coverings.

If you think you have come into contact with an infected bird, follow the directions the CDC offers.

How to safely add to your flock during the HPAI outbreak

Don’t acquire birds from neighbors, friends, your local breeder, or listings on Facebook. You shouldn’t sell your birds to other people, either.

However, you can purchase from NPIP-approved flocks like My Pet Chicken. Why? Because the USDA and State Departments of Agriculture recognize that our breeder flocks are registered and regularly tested for all illnesses, including Avian Influenza. In fact, purchasing from a reputable hatchery or hatching from your own flock is the only safe way to acquire birds at the moment.

Purchase new birds from a reputable hatchery such as My Pet Chicken

Click on your state below to read up-to-date information about the avian flu outbreak.

US States A-G

US States H-L

US States M-N

US States O-S

US States T-Z

Alabama Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. There have been no reported cases in any backyard or commercial chicken flocks in Alabama. Although a single case of the HPAI A(H5N1) virus was confirmed in February in a hunted duck known as the American wigeon from Limestone County. However, since then, the virus has not been detected in Alabama. For further information, visit the Alabama Public Health Department.

Alaska Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: August 2nd, 2022. There have been 50 birds in 2 backyard chicken flocks affected by avian flu. A new strain of bird flu has been detected in a red fox that has died in the Aleutian Islands. It was most likely feeding upon birds that had died from the H5N1 avian influenza. For more information about HPAI, visit the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Arizona Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: June 1st, 2022. No reported cases at this time. For further information, visit the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Arkansas Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 31st, 2022. There are no reported cases, but Arkansas has enacted an emergency rule through July 2022. The state is concerned about the bird flu threat to the commercial poultry industry in Arkansas. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service – Arkansas poultry farmers produced $3.9 Billion in broilers and another $443 Million in Turkeys. For more information about HPAI, visit the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

California Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: September 1st, 2022. Additional cases have been reported in California from 8 commercial flocks and 4 backyard flocks, affecting over 480,000 birds. The birds have been put euthanized and will not be put on the market for human consumption. Dr. Janette Jones, the California State Veterinarian, encourages backyard poultry flock owners to be prepared and recognize the signs of disease. For further information, visit California Environmental Protection Agency.

Colorado Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: June 9th, 2022. Colorado has had over 3.5 million birds affected. These birds were from 4 commercial flocks and 3 backyard flocks. Although the risk of HPAI to humans remains very low, there has been one reported case of human infection in Colorado from a person working on a farm with infected poultry. For more information about HPAI, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Connecticut Bird flu Outbreak Information

Updated: March 1st, 2022. So far, there have been 160 birds affected in 1 backyard flock. Connecticut is home to over five million poultry consisting of backyard and commercial flocks that could be affected by the disease outbreak. Bird owners must report any Avian Influenza symptoms to the State Veterinarian at 860-713-2505. For more information about HPAI, visit the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Delaware HPAI Outbreak Information

Updated: March 17th, 2022. There have been 3 commercial flocks with over 1.4 million birds affected. To prevent the spread of the avian flu outbreak, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Epidemiologist Office, has issued a directive for all live poultry competitions and exhibits at the 2022 Delaware State Fair to be canceled. For more information about HPAI, visit the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Florida Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: July 21st, 2022. Florida recently confirmed the bird flu virus in 1 backyard with 160 birds. Florida is committed to protecting poultry, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regularly monitors domestic poultry for evidence of avian influenza viruses. Samples are routinely collected from backyard flocks, show birds, commercial poultry, and live bird markets. Visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for more information or to report bird mortalities online.

Georgia Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: June 1st, 2022. Georgia recently confirmed the bird flu virus in 1 backyard flock with 490 birds. Dozens of the birds on the farm died within 24 hours, officials were asked to investigate, and bird flu was confirmed. For more information about bird flu, visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Hawaii Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. There are no reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the State of Hawaii Department of Health.

Idaho Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 24th, 2022. There have been 988 birds affected in 25 backyard flocks. For more information about the bird flu outbreak, visit the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Idaho Fish and Game ask that if any sick wild birds are found, report them here to assist with surveillance records.

Illinois HPAI Outbreak Information

Updated: May 17th, 2022. There have been 150 birds affected in 4 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Indiana Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: June 9th, 2022. There have been over 189,000 birds affected in 9 commercial flocks and 4 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, where you can also sign up for email and text updates.

Iowa Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 4th, 2022. So far, Iowa has been one of the states hit hardest by the avian influenza outbreak. Over 13.3 million birds have been affected in 15 commercial and 4 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Agriculture and land Stewardship.

Kansas Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: April 27th, 2002. There have been over 7,500 birds affected in Kansas from 1 commercial flock and 5 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Kentucky Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: February 15th, 2022. There have been over 284,000 birds affected in Kentucky in 2 commercial flocks. For more information, visit the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Louisiana Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. No reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Maine Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: June 29th, 2022. There have been 913 birds affected in 13 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Maine Department of Agriculture.

Maryland Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: April 18th, 2022. Over 1.7 million birds have been affected in Maryland, affecting 4 commercial flocks. For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Massachusetts Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: March 29th, 2022. There have been 260 birds affected from 1 backyard flock. For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resouces.

Michigan HPAI Outbreak Information

Updated: May 10th, 2022. Over 35,000 birds have been affected in 1 commercial flock and 12 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Michigan Agriculture and Rural Development.

Minnesota Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: September 7th. Over 3.1 million birds have been affected in 62 commercial and 22 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Michigan Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mississippi Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. There are no reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.

Missouri Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Update: April 6th, 2022. There are over 434,000 birds affected from 6 commercial flocks and 3 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Montana HPAI Outbreak Information

Updated: July 26th, 2022. There have been over 78,000 affected birds in 10 backyard flocks and wild turkey populations. For more information, visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Nebraska Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Update: April 29th, 2022. Over 4.8 million birds have been affected in 4 commercial and 4 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Nevada Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: July 7th, 2022. There has been 1 backyard flock with 40. birds affected with HPAI. For more information, visit the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

New Hampshire Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Update: March 16th, 2022. There have been 150 birds affected in New Hampshire from 1 backyard flock. For more information, visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

New Jersey Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Update: May 17th, 2022. There have been 60 birds affected from 1 backyard flock. For more information, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

New Mexico Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Update: May 25th, 2022. No reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department of Health.

New York HPAI Outbreak Information

Update: April 6th, 2022. Over 9,500 birds have been affected in 1 commercial flock and 7 backyard flocks. New York is banning poultry shows and exhibitions to help safeguard against the avian flu outbreak. For more information, visit the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets.

North Carolina Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Update: April 12th, 2022. There have been over 481,000 birds affected in 9 commercial flocks. For more information, visit the North Carolina Agriculture and Consumer Services.

North Dakota Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Update: May 17th, 2022. 167,000 birds have been affected in 4 commercial flocks and 11 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Ohio Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Update: September 3rd, 2022. Over 3 million birds have been affected in 1 commercial in Defiance County and 3 backyard flocks in various counties. For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Oklahoma Bird Flu Outbreak Information

Update: April 30th, 2022. There has been 1 commercial flock affected with 13,800 birds. For more information, visit the Oklahoma Department of Health.

Oregon Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: July 28th, 2022. There have been 1160 birds affected in 11 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Pennsylvania Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: August 11th, 2022. Over 4.2 million birds have been affected in 17 commercial flocks and 1 backyard flock. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Rhode Island HPAI Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. No reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

South Carolina Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. No reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

South Dakota Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 19th, 2022. Over 1.6 million birds have been affected in 36 commercial and 4 backyard flocks. For more information, visit South Dakota Game Fish and Parks.

Tennessee Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2002. No reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Texas Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: April 3rd, 2022. There have been 1,700 birds affected in 1 commercial flock. For more information, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Utah Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: July 26th, 2022. Over 1.5 million birds have been affected in 4 commercial flock and 5 backyard flocks. For more information, visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Vermont Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: April 28th, 2022. Just 1 backyard flock with 30 birds has been affected. For more information, visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

Virginia Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: February 12th, 2022. Just 1 backyard flock with 90 birds has been affected. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Washington Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: July 26th, 2022. There have been 30 backyard flocks with 2,180 birds affected. For more information, visit the Washington Department of Health.

West Virginia Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 25th, 2022. No reported cases at this time. For more information, visit the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

Wisconsin Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: September 2nd, 2022. Over 3 million birds in 8 commercial and 15 backyard flocks have been affected as of May 2022. For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

Wyoming Avian Flu Outbreak Information

Updated: May 20th, 2022. There have been 350 birds in 8 backyard flocks that have been affected. For more information, visit the Wyoming Fish and Game Department.

For additional information about the avian flu outbreak in all 50 US states, visit the USDA APHIS list of 2022 confirmations of HPAI in commercial and backyard flocks. Additionally, visit the Center for Disease Control for more information about HPAI infections.

The post Has the Avian Flu Outbreak Affected Your State? appeared first on My Pet Chicken Blog.

Backyard Chicken Care Calendar - A Year-Round Checklist

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Our easy-to-follow year-round backyard chicken care calendar checklist will help you with everything related to your backyard chicken flock. Raising backyard chickens is a wonderful hobby, and everyone here at My Pet Chicken is excited to share this journey with you! This comprehensive calendar should help you know what to expect.

Winter Chicken Care Checklist

Winter (December, January, February)

  1. Winter Care Tips: 8 things NOT to do in the winter.
  2. Check daily for frozen water - MPC Tip: Use a Perfect Bucket Heater De-icer.
  3. Use First Saturday Lime to keep ammonia odors under control. 
  4. Provide a dust bath area in the chicken run during winter if fresh dirt is no longer available.
  5. Offer Treats and Toys to your flock to help fight winter boredom.
  6. Offer Poultry Grit if you offer treats, and your flock cannot access fresh dirt. 
  7. Collect eggs frequently to avoid them freezing in cold winter temperatures.
  8. Order new spring Chicks and Waterfowl. Our Chicken Breed List provides important breed info to help you decide which breeds are suitable for your flock.
Chicken Care Checklist

Spring Chicken Care Calendar (March, April, May)

  1. Deep-clean your existing chicken coop and compost the chicken manure.
  2. Consider deworming your chickens by using these supplies and supplements.
  3. Check your chicken coop and run for any damage over winter and repair as needed. (One of the most important tasks on the Chicken Care Calendar!)
  4. Replace worn-out flock supplies.
  5. Review the Chicken Care Guide and Chick Supply Checklist for any new baby chicks' arrival.
  6. Order a new chicken coop in early spring for new flock members. 
  7. Move spring chicks outside to the coop. Read more info here if you are introducing new chickens into your old flock. 
Summer Chicken Care Checklist

Summer Chicken Care Calendar - (June, July, August)

  1. Keep your chicken flock cool with summer treats. Read more info here.
  2. Help keep your flock cool and hydrated with electrolytes.
  3. Keep your coop sweet-smelling in the heat of summer. Learn how.
  4. Learn about how much water your chickens need daily to keep them hydrated in the hot summer weather. We recommend using the Poultry Water Cup to let your flock dip their wattles in the water to cool down in summer.
  5. The ragged feathers of summer are here - Read 7 causes why.
  6. Spring chicks will need to transition to grower feed. Read more info here to see if your flock is ready.
Fall Chicken Care Checklist

Fall (September, October, November)

  1. When you see chicken feathers all over the coop and run, you will know that molting season has begun! Learn what molting is, and read about the Top 3 ways to help your molting flock.  Don't forget to shop for molting supplies to help your flock through the molting season.
  2. You've been waiting for this moment! Look out for signs that your spring chicks will begin laying eggs. Remember that it is normal for your hen's eggs to start small in size and not lay in the nesting box at first.
  3. It's time for your spring chicks to transition to layer feed. Read more info here to see if your flock is ready.
  4. Even though we don't want to think about it, winter is coming! Start preparing for winter now - Read Top 10 ways to prepare the flock for winter.
  5. Winterize your coop by making sure your coop is well-ventilated and draft free
  6. Make your baby chick wish list for 2024! (The most fun task on the Chicken Care Calendar!) My Pet Chicken usually releases next year's spring inventory in late November or early December. Get your wish list ready with your favorite must-have chicken breeds.

The post Backyard Chicken Care Calendar - A Year-Round Checklist appeared first on My Pet Chicken Blog.





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