During the process of raising chickens, it is necessary to pay attention to scientific management to avoid diseases, poor growth, or economic losses caused by improper operation. Here are the top ten taboos and explanations for raising chickens for reference.

1. Improper site selection: damp and poorly ventilated
Taboo: Chicken coops should be located in low-lying areas with stagnant water, poor ventilation, or poorly constructed (such as leaking or stuffy weather).
Consequences: A humid environment can easily breed mold and bacteria, leading to coccidiosis and colibacillosis; Poor ventilation leads to high ammonia concentration, which stimulates the respiratory tract of chickens and induces chronic respiratory diseases.
Suggestion: Choose a chicken coop with high and dry terrain, facing the sun from the back, and reserve doors and windows or install ventilation equipment. Regularly clean feces to reduce humidity.

2. High breeding density: crowding, hypoxia
Taboo: Mixed breeding of chickens of different ages with excessive density (such as more than 30 chicks per square meter and more than 10 adult chickens).
Consequences: Chickens compete for space and feed, which can lead to pecking habits (such as pecking feathers and anus) and uneven growth rates; Insufficient air circulation leads to hypoxia and decreased disease resistance.
Suggestion: Feed in groups according to age, gradually reduce the density of chicks, breeding chickens, and adult chickens, and provide sufficient feeding troughs and water dispensers.

3. Moldy or monotonous feed: nutritional imbalance
Taboo: Feed moldy feed (containing aflatoxin) or use only a single grain (such as corn) for a long time.
Consequences: Moldy feed can lead to chicken liver poisoning, immune failure, and even death; Lack of vitamins and minerals in a single feed can lead to pecking habits and a decrease in egg production rate.
Suggestion: The feed should be fresh and free from mold, and should be paired with a full price compound feed (containing protein, vitamins, and trace elements). Defoamers can be added to prevent fungal toxins.

4. Unclean or disconnected drinking water: dehydration, infection
Taboo: Drinking sewage, stagnant water, or not cleaning the sink for a long time, or cutting off water supply in summer.
Consequence: The sewage contains pathogenic bacteria, leading to intestinal infections in chickens (such as salmonellosis); Summer water shortage can easily cause heatstroke, and a 24-hour water shortage for laying hens can lead to a sudden drop in egg production.
Suggestion: Provide clean tap water or deep well water, clean the water dispenser daily, increase the frequency of water changes in summer, and ensure 24-hour water supply.

5. Neglecting disinfection: disease transmission
Taboo: There is no disinfection pool at the entrance of the chicken coop, tools and personnel can enter and exit freely, and disinfection is not carried out regularly.
Consequences: Foreign vehicles and personnel carrying viruses (such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease) enter, causing large-scale outbreaks, especially in open chicken farms where the risk is higher.
Suggestion: Set up a disinfection pool (with quicklime or disinfectant), allow personnel to change shoes and clothes when entering and leaving, disinfect the chicken coop and utensils 1-2 times a week, and thoroughly fumigate and disinfect when the pens are empty.

6. Sudden change of feed or environment: stress response
Taboo: Sudden change of feed brand or formula, or failure to prepare for stress resistance before group switching or long-distance transportation.
Consequences: The chicken flock may experience stress-induced diarrhea, decreased feed intake, fluctuating egg production rates, and even develop pecking habits.
Suggestion: The material change should be gradual (7-day transition method), and vitamin C or electrolytic multidimensional should be added to the feed 3 days before the transition to reduce stress.

7. Mixed breeding at different ages: cross infection
Taboo: Mix chicks, broiler chickens, and egg laying chickens in the same area.
Consequences: Chickens have low immunity and are easily infected by latent pathogens carried by adult chickens (such as mycoplasma), and adult chickens may step on chicks.
Suggestion: Strictly divide the feeding into stages, use separate brood houses for chicks, and isolate adult and young chickens for at least 50 meters.

8. Temperature fluctuations: Cold and hot stress
Taboo: The temperature during the chick stage is too low (such as below 28 ℃), or there are no cooling measures in the chicken coop in summer (exceeding 35 ℃).
Consequences: Chickens at low temperatures are prone to clumping and freezing to death, which can trigger white diarrhea; High temperatures can cause heatstroke and a sharp decrease in feed intake in chickens, leading to a decrease in egg production rate or even production stoppage.
Suggestion: The temperature of chicks at one week of age should be controlled at 33-35 ℃, and lowered by 2-3 ℃ to room temperature every week; In summer, use a sunscreen, turn on a fan or spray to cool down.

9. Misuse of antibiotics or drugs: resistance and residues
Taboo: Add antibiotics to feed for a long time when there is no illness, or arbitrarily increase the dosage for treatment.
Consequences: Disrupting the balance of gut microbiota, producing drug-resistant strains, and making later diseases difficult to treat; Excessive drug residues affect the quality of eggs and meat, violating food safety regulations.
Suggestion: Follow the principle of "prevention first, treatment as a supplement", use medication according to the dosage and course of treatment guided by the veterinarian when necessary, and use medication with caution during the egg laying period.

10. Neglecting to observe chicken flocks: missing the best treatment period
Taboo: Do not observe the chicken's feeding, feces, and mental state every day, or delay the treatment of abnormal symptoms (such as cough and diarrhea).
Consequences: Chronic diseases (such as Marek's disease and coccidiosis) develop into severe cases, with increased mortality rates, or the epidemic spreads to the entire population.
Suggestion: Check the chicken flock every morning and evening, record feed intake and egg production, isolate sick chickens immediately, bury dead chickens deep or dispose of them harmlessly to avoid polluting the environment.

11. Additional reminder: Other common misconceptions
Avoid using plastic or iron wire bottom nets: Chickens' paws can easily get stuck in the gaps, causing toe damage or infection.
Do not suddenly startle the flock of chickens: loud noises or the intrusion of cats and dogs may cause the flock to startle, leading to fractures or internal bleeding.
Do not ignore vaccine immunization: Omitting key vaccines such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease can easily lead to outbreaks of highly infectious diseases.