Home Improvement :: Precautions When Raising ChickensDuring Summer and Winter

Chickens seem so fragile. They seem without any survival characteristics. But that is not true 100%.They have some characteristics that allow them to pull it through and survive in harsh weatherconditions. Of course, those traits depend on the chicken species.

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Some chicken can withstand the harsh conditions of winter and other may like to do sunbaths. Itdepends on the type of chicken and on the weather he is accustomed with. So don't waste yourmoney and your precious time with a type of chicken that likes a different weather than the one youhave. It may be very hard to raise chicken under difficult conditions.

The winter time

In this cold weather, many people try to heat the chickens. They think that they will do them good.But don't try that if you want alive and healthy chickens.

They can catch a cold or even freeze. You may leave them healthy and safe and in the morning youcan find them dead. For your information, keep in mind that chicken can adapt to difficult weatherconditions. Their body has a changing metabolism that helps them survive during cold temperatures.

If the place where you live has a cold weather with harsh temperatures, you may want to take someprecautions before bringing the chicken in. In this way, you will be ready for them and you will notput their lives in any danger.

Some of these actions are:

1. Sometimes, the low temperatures cause the comb or the wattle to have frostbites. If you want toprevent this from happening, you can rub a petroleum jelly or another kind of moisturizer on thatplace from time to time.

2. Make sure the water supply is not frozen. Depriving the chicken of water can seriously damagetheir health. If the water is frozen, the chickens will not get near eat and they can die without water.Also, make sure the water reserve has no impurities. The chicken can get diseases from thoseimpurities. If there is a danger or freezing, get a heater and warm up the water. Make sure thewater stays warm at all times. If you don't posses a water heater, get the water inside your houseand bring it to the chicken in the morning.

Summer time

If you have a house located in a place where there is summer all the time, the chicken can sufferform being exposed to heat all day long. They could be dehydrated and that is not good. The onething and very important thing you need to do during summer is to make sure they have water allthe time. Make sure the water is fresh and pure. Refill the supply whenever it is possible. Also, don'tlet the chickens run around without providing them some shade. Also, you can provide someventilation in their pen.

Another important thing is that when heat waves occur, the hens can lay excessive eggs. This is nota good sign. It means the hen is very stressed because of the heat. If the heat stops or thetemperatures goes back to normal, the laying process will resume to normal.

Also, during extreme weather conditions it is good to observe the chickens for any abnormalbehavior. Notice the way they walk, what they eat, how often they eat etc.

If you see one of them isolated in a corner or acting a bit strange, it means they have caught adisease. Get the chicken and put it in quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading.

The isolated animal also needs water, food and treatment. After he has recuperated, the sick chickencan return to the others.

Some symptoms of chicken sickness include: depression, sneezing, teary eyes, loss of appetite,mites, abnormal stools and the tendency to become isolated.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to the vet and get treatment for the chicken.

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