My philosophy for both laying and breeding flocks summed up in two simple sayings fraught with meaning. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyNeHQAfG70

If you insist on getting chicks and have not had them in the past, if preppers have made the suggestion to get chickens because of the pandemic, PLEASE watch this before you do! Near the 15:15 point in the main video is a link in the top right corner to my video regarding Medicated vs Non-Medicated Feed. Preppers, please stop making that "get chicks" suggestion without also suggesting that people do their homework beforehand, as well as do not make that suggestion if you yourself have never had chickens and don't know the first thing about it! You're not doing the poor animals any favors! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebJVV1hGGxc

Sebastian is showing several signs today that he may be on the upswing! I'm cautiously optimistic that he will pull through and live to crow another couple of years. Thank you for all your prayers and support and love you've shown the Big Guy and me! (This is the last update unless something drastic occurs with Bash's situation) ***adding that Bash had all the symptoms of lead poisoning, though we have nothing we know of that he could have ingested containing lead unless he ate some pellet gun pellets somewhere on the property left over from the original owner. From the Merck Veterinary Manual: Lead poisoning usually is caused by paint or orchard-spray material. Metallic lead in amounts of 7.2 mg/kg body wt is lethal. Signs are depression, inappetence, emaciation, thirst, and weakness. Greenish droppings are commonly seen within 36 hr. As poisoning progresses, the wings may be extended downward. Young birds may die within 36 hr after ingestion. Acute lead poisoning may be diagnosed from the history and necropsy findings of a greenish brown gizzard mucosa, enteritis, and degeneration of the liver and kidney. Chronic poisoning results in emaciation and in atrophy of the liver and heart. The pericardium is distended with fluid, the gallbladder is thickened and enlarged, and urate deposits are usually found in the kidneys. Ingestion of lead shot often occurs in wild waterfowl on heavily gunned feeding grounds. Retention of only a few lead pellets in the gizzard can kill a duck. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeUlkAEewdc

By necessity, this is a longer video, but is by no means an exhaustive list of all chicken diseases. I found that I had left out one in particular and noted it at the top at one point in this video. However, this may help you decide what course of action you might take and if simple biosecurity is all you truly need to keep your chickens disease-free. **DISCLAIMER**: As Founder of this Channel, I do not accept any responsibility for any incorrect or misinformation stated in any articles, videos nor taken by viewers. When I find misinformation in something I have posted, I will remove it. People must do their own research regarding any information presented. Much educational information regarding chicken keeping is based on my own 15+ years of experience as a chicken breeder, as well as consultation with veterinarians who also own and/or treat poultry. I do not claim to be all-knowing on any subject, however in many areas, experience is most certainly the best teacher! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH4ittRgO5o