Raising Chickens, Turkeys, and Ducks

At Jessie’s Sunshine Farm, the raising of chickens, turkeys, and ducks serves multiple purposes that contribute to both sustenance and enjoyment. These birds provide some of our essential food sources, including eggs and meat, while also offering a natural and enriching experience for those involved in their care. Please let us take care of them.

Benefits of Raising Poultry

Nutritional Value:
Eggs: For egg production we mainly have Kabir and Rode Island Chickens.
Meat: Turkeys and ducks offer high-quality meat, which is a valuable source of protein.
Fun: Ducks produce eggs that are rich in protein and essential nutrients, they splash and quack.

Brooder

When young chicklets hatch and they can walk we put them into the brooder. This should be done with:

• Native Chicken
• Kabir Chicken
• Rode Islander
• Turkeys
• Ducks

If we don’t have enough room in the brooder, we will build an additional brooder.
On the Brooder we write the date of hatching, so that we know when they can be evacuated. We write on a piece of Duct Tape: Turkey 250418, for Turkey chicks hatched on April, 18th, 2025

Food and Forage

Core Diet:

• Insects and Worms: Chickens naturally forage for these, providing a source of protein. A balanced diet is crucial. Chickens and ducks require a mix of grains, proteins, and greens to thrive.
• Commercial Poultry Feed: This provides the necessary nutrients for growth and egg production. Different types of feed are available for chicks, growers, and layers. 
• Grains: Chickens love grains like corn, oats, and wheat. 
• Greens: Lettuce, kale, spinach, and other leafy greens are a good source of vitamins and minerals. 
• Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, berries, carrots, and cucumbers can be added as treats or supplements. Lawn clippings/Grass
• Animal: Snakes, frogs and lizards
• Kitchen scraps (greens, sprouts, etc.)
• Crops (leftover broccoli leaves and stems, squash, and other garden scraps)

Benefits of Madre de Agua for Chickens:

Madre de Agua (Trichanthera gigantea) is a good source of nutrition for chickens and can be a beneficial addition to their diet. It’s a nutritious plant known for its protein, amino acids, and other beneficial nutrients. Improved growth and egg production: Studies have shown that including Madre de Agua leaf meal in chicken diets can lead to improvements in growth and egg production. 

How to use Madre de Agua for Chickens:

• Leaf meal: Madre de Agua leaves can be dried and ground into leaf meal, which can then be added to chicken feed. 
• Fresh leaves: Fresh Madre de Agua leaves can also be fed directly to chickens as a supplement. 

Benefits of Papaya for Chickens:

Papaya has several beneficial properties for poultry, including deworming, antibacterial, and anticoccidial effects. It can be a helpful addition to a chicken’s diet, offering a source of vitamin A and acting as a natural remedy for certain health issues. 

• Deworming: Papaya latex and seeds contain substances that can help reduce parasitic worm infestations. 
• Antibacterial: Papaya seeds have shown antibacterial properties against common pathogens. 
• Anticoccidial: Papaya can be used to help control coccidiosis, a parasitic disease in chickens. 
• Nutrient Source: Papaya provides vitamin A, which is essential for poultry health. 

Benefits of Bananas for Chicken

Chickens can eat bananas, and they often enjoy them. However, bananas should be offered in moderation due to their high sugar content. Chickens may find the sweet taste of bananas appealing, but overfeeding can lead to obesity. 

Here’s why bananas can be a good treat for chickens:

• Nutrient-rich: Bananas are a good source of potassium, which is essential for muscle and nerve function in chickens. 
• Easy to digest: The soft texture of bananas makes them easy for chickens to eat and digest. 
• Enjoyable flavor: The sweet taste of bananas is often a favorite among chickens. 

Vaccines:

Regular vaccinations are necessary to prevent diseases and maintain flock health.

• Common Vaccines: Chickens are often vaccinated against Marek’s disease, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis, fowl pox, and fowl cholera.
• Vaccination Schedule: Vaccination schedules vary depending on the disease and the type of chicken. For example, fowl pox vaccines are typically given at 6-8 weeks and repeated at 18-20 weeks for broiler and layer breeders. Fowl cholera vaccines are given at 6 weeks and repeated annually.
• Vaccination Methods: Vaccines can be administered through drinking water, intraocular, or intranasal routes. 

Vitamins:

• Essential Vitamins: Chickens need vitamins A, D3, E, K, and various B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12) for overall health, including immune function, bone health, and reproduction. 
• Importance of Vitamins: Vitamins like A, D, E, and C enhance the immune system’s ability to fight infections and respond to vaccines. 
• Vitamins in Feed: Poultry feed is often fortified with essential vitamins. 

Diseases

Brooder Management:
For young chicks and ducklings, a brooder provides a warm and safe environment, essential for their early development.

Strict Bio Security

Entry into the chicken area will only be granted by stepping into a disinfectant, provided at the entrance of the area.

1. Cleaning and Disinfecting:

• Regular cleaning: Remove litter, feed, and waste products regularly from the coop and run. 
• Cleaning and disinfecting:Use soap and water to clean surfaces, then disinfect with an EPA-approved disinfectant that’s effective against influenza A viruses. 
• Disinfect all equipment: Clean and disinfect any tools, containers, or vehicles that enter the coop area. 
• Separate equipment: Use dedicated colors or labels for tools, clothing, and equipment specific to your poultry area to prevent cross-contamination between farms or barns. 

2. Preventing Wild Bird Contact:

• Fencing: Secure the coop and run with fencing to prevent wild birds from entering. 
• No open water: Restrict access to open ponds, lakes, or creeks where wild birds may congregate. 
• Covered areas: Provide covered areas in the run to keep your birds protected from wild birds and potential contamination. 
• Keep wild birds out of feeders and waterers: Cover or secure feed and water containers to prevent contamination from wild birds. 

3. Hygiene Practices:

• Wash hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling birds or equipment. 
• Clean boots and clothing: Clean or wash your boots and clothing after visiting other flocks or events. 
• Dedicated clothing and footwear: Use a separate set of clothing and footwear specifically for your poultry area. 
• Visitor protocols: Implement hygiene protocols for visitors, such as requiring them to wash their hands and feet, or shower before entering the poultry area. 

4. Other Important Measures:

• Isolate new birds: Keep new birds separate from your existing flock for at least 30 days before introducing them. 
• Monitor birds: Regularly check your birds for signs of illness. 
• Report sick or dead birds: If you see sick or dead birds, contact your vet or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. 
• Safe water: Ensure your birds have access to a clean water supply, preferably chlorinated. 
• Avoid overcrowding: Don’t overcrowd your coop to avoid stress and potential disease spread. 
• Proper nutrition: Provide your birds with a balanced diet to support their immune system. 

5. Quarantine

Initially, all new chickens should be quarantined from the existing flock for a period, typically 30 days. This isolation allows for observation of any signs of illness and prevents the spread of potential diseases. During this time, the new chickens should have their own separate coop, run, and feeders

Harvesting

We can take 50% of the eggs away when the hen starts to incubate or the laying is done. We leave 50% of the eggs with the hen unless they are layers. For Layers we take them all.

We let the hen incubate until the chicklets or poults hatch. When the chicklets or poults can walk we will put them into the brooder for 6 to 8 weeks.

After we can introduce them into the general coop.

For self consumption we can harvest them after 9-12 months. For commercial meat production we can harvest them 6-12 months. We have to make sure that we keep 50% for restocking.