Want healthy, productive birds? It all starts with proper nutrition! Research shows chickens require six essential nutrients in their diet: 1. 💦WATER - The most critical nutrient! Chickens need constant access to clean water. A hen can survive weeks without food but only days without water. Water regulates body temperature and is essential for egg production. 2. 💪PROTEIN - Builds muscle, feathers, and eggs. Chicks need 18-20%, layers need 16-18%, and molting birds need extra protein to regrow feathers. 3. 🌽CARBOHYDRATES - Primary energy source. Grains like corn and wheat provide the fuel chickens need for daily activities and staying warm. 4. 🪽FATS - Concentrated energy and help absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. Essential for healthy skin and feather quality. 5. 🪶VITAMINS - Organic compounds needed in small amounts for growth, reproduction, and disease resistance. Deficiencies show up as poor feather quality, reduced laying, and health issues. 6. 🦴MINERALS - Calcium for strong eggshells and bones, phosphorus for skeletal development, and trace minerals like zinc and selenium for immune function. 🐓Complete layer feeds are formulated to provide all six nutrients in proper balance - that's why they should make up 90% of your flock's diet! ❓Questions for you:❓ 1. Do you offer free-choice calcium (oyster shell) separately from feed? 2. What's the weirdest thing your chickens have ever eaten thinking it was nutritious? 3. If your flock could design their own "dream feed," what do you think they'd put in it?

Happy Friday everyone! I’m doing a Feedback Friday where I ask for some specific feedback. I’ve had a couple of members throw out some topics and I plan to do all of them, but I’d like to see which one everyone is interested in me doing first as a full on course in the classroom. Please choose a topic below or add one if there is another you’d like me to consider doing! Thank you for your feedback!

I was just chatting with my oldest daughter (who lives in Australia with her husband and our two grand-littles), and they have a pigeon that started hanging around over the past couple days. It appears to perhaps be a homing pigeon (she said it has a band but they couldn't really read anything on it), so it is quite friendly, and they are trying to find its owners. They're talking with a local bird organization that is helping with this. In the meantime, they have noticed that it has mites and were wondering about the best way to treat them. Those of you with poultry who have treated for mites before, what have you used that worked? Especially something natural that would be easily obtainable anywhere? They don't have easy access to farm stores where they live. I realize this isn't "poultry", but I would assume treatment would be similar?

Happy Introduction Week at The Healthy Coop Collective! Today's topic is one of my favorites because it combines science with creativity - keeping our flocks happy and healthy during the cold winter months. 🌡️ Why Winter Treats Matter (The Science Part) Winter presents unique challenges for our flocks: 🥶Increased caloric needs - chickens burn more energy staying warm 🥶Reduced foraging opportunities - frozen ground limits natural behaviors 🥶Behavioral enrichment becomes critical - boredom can lead to pecking and other welfare issues 🥶Mental stimulation - keeps birds active and engaged during shorter days ✅ What Makes a GOOD Winter Treat? 🐓Provide extra calories/energy for cold weather 🐓Encourage natural foraging behaviors 🐓Keep birds active and mentally stimulated 🐓Make up no more than 10% of daily diet (to maintain balanced nutrition) 🐓Be safe and digestible 🚫 Quick Safety Reminder Before we dive into favorites, remember these foods are TOXIC to chickens: 🤢Avocado (skin and pit) 🤢Chocolate 🤢Raw or dried beans 🤢Green potatoes or tomatoes 🤢Onions and garlic in large amounts 🤢Moldy or spoiled foods 🤢Salty or sugary processed foods 🎯 My Winter Treat Ideas: High-Energy Options: 🐣Scratch grains - feeding in late afternoon to provide overnight energy 🐣Whole corn - metabolizes slowly, creating warmth overnight 🐣Black oil sunflower seeds - high fat and protein Activity-Based Enrichment: 🐔Cabbage/lettuce hanging - encourages jumping and pecking 🐔Sprouted grains - provides fresh greens when pasture is unavailable 🐔Treat blocks - compressed seeds and grains that take time to consume 🐔Warm oatmeal - warm (not hot) foods on very cold mornings 🤔 Now Here's Where I Need YOUR Expertise! I want to hear about YOUR experiences because real-world knowledge: 1. What's your flock's FAVORITE winter treat? (The one that makes them come running every time!) 2. Do you have a special "recipe" or way of presenting treats? (Hanging feeders? Frozen blocks? Warm mashes?) 3. Have you noticed any treats that seem to keep them busier longer? (Winter days are long - what keeps them entertained?)

Hi everyone! I'm Dr. Nisana, and I'm thrilled to launch this community dedicated to helping you raise healthier, happier backyard flocks. A bit about me: I'm a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine specializing in avian and poultry health through my practice, Covenantal Wings Veterinary Services. My background includes working in commercial poultry, and now I focus on bringing that professional veterinary expertise to backyard poultry keepers like you. I live on an 80-acre homestead in Oklahoma with my husband and daughter. What to expect here: I created The Healthy Coop Collective because I saw too many backyard keepers struggling with conflicting information online and limited access to poultry-savvy veterinarians. This community bridges that gap. Here's what's coming: ✅ Daily Engagement - Tips, discussions, case studies, and community support to keep your knowledge growing ✅ In the Premium plan: Weekly Educational Resources - In-depth guides, protocols, and tools on disease prevention, nutrition, biosecurity, and wellness management ✅ In the VIP plan: One Private 1-on-1 Veterinary Video Consultation Per Month - Personalized flock health guidance from me directly This is a space for learning, asking questions without judgment, and building confidence in your ability to care for your birds. Whether you're brand new to poultry or have years of experience, you belong here. Let's get started! Drop a comment below and tell me: - What type of poultry do you keep? - What's your biggest flock health challenge right now? - What topics do you most want to learn about? I can't wait to get to know you and your flocks. Here's to healthier coops and thriving birds! 🌿 —Dr. Nisana