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Before starting a flock<\/h2>\n
These guidelines focus on small groups of hens. Ducks, geese and chicks need their own plans for species and age. Check municipal requirements and current animal-health measures with the local agricultural office before obtaining birds. Agree an initial examination and separation period before mixing newcomers. Egg production does not prove health: observe each bird.<\/p>\n
Coop and behaviour<\/h2>\n
Provide a dry, ventilated, predator-proof coop, securely closed at night. Birds must be able to walk, spread their wings and move away from others. Keep bedding dry and mould-free, with shade and rain shelter. Supply stable, rounded perches at heights matched to weight and mobility, and clean nests in a quiet area. Offer dry dust-bathing soil, scratching and foraging for small food portions. Inspect mesh, latches and escape points.<\/p>\n
Food and water for each stage<\/h2>\n
Use complete food for the species and life stage; bread, grain and scraps cannot replace it. Limit extras and keep feed dry and protected from rodents. Layer feed contains more calcium: it is not automatically suitable for chicks, cockerels or non-laying birds. Mixed groups need a plan. Avoid routine calcium or vitamins and make sure every bird can reach clean water and food.<\/p>\n
Introductions and hygiene<\/h2>\n
Introduce birds gradually after the advised separation period. Watch for chasing, pecking, injuries and birds excluded from food; spread resources out and assess different-sized individuals. Wash bowls daily and replace soiled bedding. Reduce wild-bird contact and protect feed and water. Use dedicated footwear, wash hands and clean equipment away from the kitchen: apparently healthy birds can carry microorganisms.<\/p>\n
Heat and other poultry species<\/h2>\n
In summer, check all-day shade, ventilation and several fresh-water points. Avoid heat-trapping housing and handling during hot hours. Panting and wings held away may signal overheating; persistent signs, lethargy or unsteadiness need rapid attention. Provide shade and water without forcing it into the beak or using ice baths. Ducks and geese need water for head immersion and age-appropriate bathing, with an easy exit and dry resting space; geese need grazing opportunities. Chicks require starter feed and controlled warmth with room to move away: adult conditions do not automatically suit them.<\/p>\n
Prevention and emergencies<\/h2>\n
Agree vaccination, check-ups and parasite control according to origin and risk; do not self-prescribe antibiotics or worming. Check appetite, weight, droppings, gait, feet, eyes, breathing and laying. Breathing difficulty at rest, haemorrhage, severe weakness, prolapse or persistent laying strain are emergencies. Do not squeeze the abdomen or extract eggs. Multiple sick birds or unexpected deaths require avoiding unnecessary movement or handling and immediately contacting the vet and official services.<\/p>\n
All care guides<\/a> \u00b7 Contact and appointments<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_templately_pack_id":"","_templately_imported_at":"","_templately_source":"","_templately_import_session_id":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-990012","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/990012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=990012"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/990012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":991128,"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/990012\/revisions\/991128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orisylva.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=990012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}