Be Prepared!

Refreshed 22nd May 2025, Published 20th November 2024

Chickens get sick, just like us! 🤒🤧🤕

From colds, injuries, growths, reproductive issues, stress, heart attacks, viruses, fungal or bacterial infections,
to heavy worm burdens and external parasites, the list is endless!
As the saying goes, when you have livestock you also have dead stock!

It is impossible for the poultry backyard owner (or even the local vet!) to diagnose what might be ailing your fowl.
Many poultry diseases have similar symptoms  no matter the illness. It is extremely difficult to pinpoint exactly the disease or ailment.
Some of the typical symptoms exhibited by a sick chicken include loss of appetite, reluctance to move about, fluffed up feathers, lameness, drooping wings, feather loss, lethargy, dull eye, respiratory problems, diarrhoea and soiled feathers around the vent.
We tend to surmise that dirty bottoms and diarrhoea are a result of worms.
Lameness in birds is due to marek’s disease and that a sudden death is exactly that.
The only way to be absolutely sure would be to examine and post mortem the deceased bird and submit the tissue samples for laboratory analysis.
Unless you know what ailment is causing your chook to be crook it is always good practice to isolate it from the rest of the flock.
The best place is a warm, dry area (preferably a wire cage or even a cat cage) with fresh bedding, water and feed.
Once isolated you can monitor your hen and see if she is going to overcome her ailment ...or not.

What Every Flock Needs in Their First Aid Kit

A well-stocked poultry first aid kit is crucial for handling minor injuries and illnesses.
Key items include gloves, syringes, tools like scissors and tweezers along with supplies for wound care 
 and electrolyte replacement. It's also wise to include items for specific issues like parasite control, and potential injuries from pecking or other accidents.
Please see what we recommend below.

FIRST AID

Coxiprol

Essential to have handy when raising young birds. Coccidiosis can take a heavy toll on chicks, starting from about three weeks of age.

FIRST AID

Nettex Power Drops

Instant energy source for sick birds. Fast acting pick-me-up supplement for chickens packed full of energy and immune supporting vitamins.

FIRST AID

Poultry Nutri-max

Instant energy source for sick birds. Poultry Nutri-Max provides an instant energy source for sick, weak and lethargic birds.

FIRST AID

Nettex Wound Spray

Easy-to-apply antiseptic aerosol spray to treat wounds on chickens. An effective cleanser with bactericidal action.

FIRST AID

Wound Care Plus

Reduces inflammation, while stimulating granulation tissue, ensuring faster closure of wounds allowing for minimal scarring. Non-toxic and colour free.

FIRST AID

Nettex Anti-Feather Pecking Spray

Dual purpose spray to help prevent pecking among chickens and cleanse minor wounds. 

FIRST AID

Vetafarm Poly Aid Plus

First aid supplement for sick, injured or stressed birds and small animals that are not eating voluntarily. Includes probiotic.

FIRST AID

Vetafarm Critta Care Avian

Provides highly digestible nutritional support for sick, stressed and injured birds. Includes probiotic.

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 Essential Chicken Keeping Kit | Basic Care

To maintain healthy chickens, focus on hygiene, nutrition, and a comfortable environment.
Regularly clean the coop, provide fresh water and a balanced diet, and offer space for exercise and and natural behaviours like dust bathing.

BASIC CARE 

Poultry SafeGuard

Dissolves mites on contact. It’s also a powerful coop disinfectant, killing bacteria, viruses and odour in coops.

BASIC CARE 

De-Mite Powder

For long-lasting residual control of red mite and other external parasites in poultry housing.

BASIC CARE 

Scaly Leg Spray

Very effective organic treatment for poultry scaly leg mite.

BASIC CARE 

Poultry SafeGuard

Dissolves mites on contact. It’s also a powerful coop disinfectant, killing bacteria, viruses and odour in coops.

BASIC CARE 

De-Mite Powder

For long-lasting residual control of red mite and other external parasites in poultry housing.

BASIC CARE 

Scaly Leg Spray

Very effective organic treatment for poultry scaly leg mite. Spray directly onto legs of chickens.

Regular Worming is Essential

All animals are susceptible to worms. Hens are no different.
Don’t be lulled into thinking that your hens don’t have worms just because you haven’t seen any in their droppings.
In fact, if you actually see worms in their droppings, it means that your hens most likely have a heavy worm burden.

Give Your Flock a Boost 👍
MUST-HAVE  GO-TO SUPPLEMENTS

Supplying supplements to poultry can significantly improve their health, growth, and productivity by addressing nutritional deficiencies and supporting various bodily functions.
Vitamins, minerals, and other supplements can boost immunity, enhance egg production, and promote overall well-being, leading to better flock performance.

SUPPLEMENT

Nettex Mineral Boost

Complementary mineral feed specially formulated to improve egg quality, assist digestion and provide nutritional support for laying hens.

SUPPLEMENT

Agrivite Mite Rescue Remedy

Brilliant all-round liquid supplement for poultry. Contains a spectrum of vitamins, chelated trace elements, iron and key minerals + essential proteins.

SUPPLEMENT

Nettex Poultry Vit Boost

complimentary supplement formulated specifically for chickens that supplies essential vitamins to support health, growth and vitality all year round through the drinking water.

SUPPLEMENT

Agrivite Poultry Drink Conc.

High-energy mineral supplement rich in iron. recommended for birds recovering from mite infestation, for support during moulting or for any birds not looking in the peak of health

SUPPLEMENT

Agrivite Enhance Feather, Shell N Bone

Intensive calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3 liquid supplement for developing bone strength, egg shell quality and to support feathering.

SUPPLEMENT

Nettex Poultry Seaweed

Seaweed is a natural source of Vitamin A, Vitamins B1, B2, C and D; Calcium, Sodium, Chlorine, Sulphur and Cobalt.

SUPPLEMENT

Agrivite Poultry Pep

Offers all-round support for laying hens. Tasty aromatic blend of minerals, spices and vitamin C that has a whole host of benefits.