When your chicken becomes sick, it’s essential that they receive medical assistance quickly. Sick birds must be quarantined, hydrated and fed until they return to health.
Provide your chicken with nutritious food to strengthen its immune system and give them a greater chance of beating their illness. Here are some items that may help them feel better quicker.
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Eggs
Eggs provide chickens with essential protein and vitamin intake. However, to prevent food poisoning it’s essential that eggs are handled safely to avoid potential problems.
An egg’s shell is an intriguing structure, housing within it its inner parts such as yolk, albumen and membranes. Composed primarily of calcium carbonate with tiny pores in it.
Egg shells provide protection from environmental contaminants and also help prevent rotting of the egg, acting as a barrier against bacteria.
Applesauce
When your chicken is feeling under the weather and needs extra nutrition, applesauce can be beneficial. Packed full of vitamin C and designed to strengthen her lungs.
Applesauce is an excellent source of fiber and can also help lower cholesterol levels. In many recipes, applesauce can also serve as an oil replacement.
Make homemade applesauce by cutting whole apples into chunks and combining with water in a pot, simmering until soft while stirring frequently until desired softness has been reached. Add cinnamon or lemon juice for flavor if desired.
Yogurt
Yogurt may seem like an appealing option when feeding sick chickens, but be wary. Like milk, yogurt contains dairy products which do not possess the digestive enzymes to break it down completely.
Chickens that consume too much yogurt may experience diarrhea and poor gut health as it contains ingredients that make digestion harder for them. Flavored yogurt also contains added ingredients that make digestion difficult for chickens.
Plain Greek yogurt is ideal for chickens as its straining removes any whey and reduces lactose levels.
Garlic
Garlic can be one of the best natural ways to maintain chicken health, and strengthen their immune systems. Antimicrobial properties present in garlic help protect them from viruses, bacteria and parasites that threaten their wellbeing.
Garlic cloves added to your chick’s water can provide them with powerful nutrition. Start out slowly, increasing gradually over time.
Soaking garlic cloves in oil is another effective way of using garlic, as this will decrease dusty conditions in your flock’s feed and encourage larger, more nutritious eggs from their shells.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an amazing product to add to the waterer or feed as a supplement for your chickens, helping boost their immune systems and keeping them in top health.
Maintaining a proper pH balance within their bodies is also key for digestion and disease prevention; acidity will increase susceptibility to diseases.
Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar can be found at most health food stores and supermarkets, often called “mother” of vinegar. Spending extra on purchasing quality product that contains all beneficial elements that support strengthening immune systems of birds is worth the extra cost.
