Poultry Welfare

Positive signs of chicken health are a bright eye, red comb, dry nostrils, shiny feathers (with most of them there), a good weight, clean feathers under the tail, and an alert and active manner.

There are literally hundreds of vitamin and mineral supplements available for use by the poultry keeper. Some are aimed at specific problems, such as poor eggshell quality, slow moult, the treatment of stress, etc. Many products have been developed for helping to prevent, or treat, health problems.

The vitamin and mineral requirements of most breeds of poultry at various stages of life have been researched and calculated by several organisations. Feed companies use these figures to produce a balanced diet that will give the birds optimal dosages in a form that they can best utilise.