Bio-Security We practice bio-security measures here at our hobby farm. That means that if we bring in new birds, we have a strict quarantine (QT) process. They are kept away from our existing flock for at least 14 days. We do not let people into our coops - more particularly those with their own chickens, unless they get a foot bath of Virkon first. We use Virkon to clean the coops, and materials inside the coops (feeders/waterers) and incubators, as well as vinegar. We also spray our shoes when going to poultry events afterwards, with Virkon.
When it comes to emergencies or illnesses, we always treat our birds. We always have Dusting Powder, Sevin, Amprolium, Vitamin E/Selenium, Noromectin/Bimectin, Stress Aid, Tetracycline, VetRx, Cydectin and more on hand. Luckily we don't have to use them often. If we do sell any adult birds, they will always be dusted before leaving the property as a precautionary. We never want to sell any birds that we don't think are healthy.
Silkies enjoying fermented feed (they get right in!)
Food We try and feed our birds the best we can. They get Purina breeder ration in the breeding months, to help egg and chick production and development. They also get fermented feed in the Spring-Fall months, as well as table scraps (chicken, rice, vegetables, fruit, grains, scrambled eggs, and more).
Virkon - disinfectant with wide virucidal, bactericidal and fungicidal activity spectrum