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Read
about Angus Acres in edible San Diego
Magazine
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Chicken Health |
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Signs of Health
Physical
*
Comb
-
correct size and color, look for changes
*
Eyes
- bright and clear
*
Gait
- alert and upright
*
Feathers
- smooth, shiny and in place
*
Tail
- carried correctly
*
Legs
- clean
*
No
fleas or lice
*
Breathing
- good, not rattling, no discharge
*
Droppings
- firm and dark with white tip
*
Bodyweight
- correct for age and breed. Weight loss is always a
cause for concern.
*
Smell
- smells warm and pleasant (sniff nostrils and vent)
Behavior
*
Noises
- calm, contented, not silent
*
Feeding
and drinking normally
*
Laying
if hen and of a suitable age
*
Putting
on weight if still growing (up to around 18 weeks of
age, although some breeds, like the Jersey Giant,
can take up to 6 months)
*
Moving
around
*
Preening
*
Perching
*
Dust
bathing or sunbathing
*
Sparring
or mock fighting - in young birds
Chickens have a normal body temperature of 103
degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius). This high
body temperature means that a chicken can cope with
most bacteria, which is important given that they
are scavenger feeders. However, this should not be
an excuse for poor hygiene or coop cleaning.
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