https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1 daily 0.75 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/red-mite monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1718810279354-MNNWQSO9YCGS4A4NG5FR/Red+mite+on+slide+with+pen+for+scale+jpg.jpg Short reads - Red Mite - Red mite and pen for scale Red mite on a glass slide next to a biro tip for scale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1718810288924-LW069ENJ7ADWL4WT1HS1/unfed+adult+redmite+.jpg Short reads - Red Mite - Unfed red mite x 40 A magnified image (x40) of an unfed red mite. the mite had 8 legs and looks brownish grey in colour https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1718810256992-DFTAKIDHNDX1SWWDGVT6/20240524_160920.jpg Short reads - Red Mite - Fed red mite x 40 A magnified image (x40) of a recentlyfed red mite. The mite had 8 legs and looks bright red in colour https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1747406386322-0NRDFKKXZ40OOSWHBI1S/mites+on+woodJPG.JPG Short reads - Red Mite - Red mites in a crevice Red mites on a piece of wood. The red mites are hiding in grooves and crevices https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1747405473962-KDCTITZR6FPYNYXYK22Z/red+mite+perch_083504.jpg Short reads - Red Mite - Red mites under a perch Red mites in a chicken coop under a perch. The red mites form a grey- brownish red dust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1747405163340-4KL77Z9SN0LI02F4AR0F/Redmites+in+test+tube.JPG Short reads - Red Mite - Red mites Red mites in a sample tube filled with clear fluid. The mites are not magnified and it looks like dirt settled in a clump https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1747405616984-29G6ZROZ0MS7KXF5M3FD/red+mitesjpg.JPG Short reads - Red Mite - Red mites - different sizes / life stages Close up of the red mites in the sample tube. All stages of red mites are visible, from unfed nymphs to adults. This is the same grey dust that was found under a perch. https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/egg-size monthly 0.5 2026-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/78815a0d-4974-428c-83b8-d607d90b999a/Size+gradients.jpg Short reads - Egg size You can check online to find out what egg size is appropriate for your breed of hens. For context, a medium-sized supermarket egg is between 53g and 63g, laid by a hybrid hen that weighs around 2kg. Need another reason to quit the treats? Sunflower seeds contain linoleic acid (and fats), which can increase the size of your girls' eggs, and contribute to excess body weight. This can create the perfect storm for an egg-bound hen; the eggs are too big, and the pelvis is too narrow. https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/lucerne monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/4e38bf8a-59bc-4720-91ed-c7fb62fca604/20240508_095805+%284%29.jpg Short reads - Lucerne (alfalfa) Pecking Blocks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/moulting monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/3140279d-5d13-4f9e-8a70-355c747e14a4/IMG-20250119-WA0002.jpg Short reads - Moulting Signs of moulting Feather loss - sudden or subtle. Pin feathers - new feather growth appears in a hard, tube-like protective sheath. Fewer eggs - reduced egg number, or they stop laying altogether. Irregularly shaped eggs tend to be more common as hens go off lay. Moulting sickness - Birds may become quieter, less active, lethargic and withdrawn. Behaviour changes - flighty, agitated, and resistant to being handled. Weight loss - But good body condition (muscle padding over the breastbone) - a combination of feather loss and a resting reproductive tract can lead to a weight change of up to 25% less. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/4c49a09f-762a-4b67-bd18-fc4dff7f42f7/IMG-20250815-WA0003.jpg Short reads - Moulting How can I support my birds through a moult? Chickens in the same flock can moult at different times, with different severities, and some hens may even continue to lay; we can end up with quite a mixed flock! I would recommend keeping all birds on a standard protein ration of around 16% crude protein; grower’s or layers pellets are suitable, with mixed grit available for extra calcium if needed. Birds will redirect their energy and protein to where it's required, i.e. away from egg laying and into feather growth - they can’t run a marathon and ride a bike at the same time! Birds will do fine on a good quality, fresh feed during a moult, but if your birds are having a hard time or the moult seems to last a long while, you can add in a supplement. Rate-limiting amino acids are essential for feather growth. These are better for moulting birds in the short term than giving more protein in the diet. Other feather growth helpers are calcium, biotin and zinc, plus some immune support. https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/getting-ready-for-spring monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/2897e474-fffc-453b-975b-e9aefc0002dd/SNV30605%2B%25282%2529.png Short reads - Getting ready for spring - Weight - Have your chickens been getting an extra bit of corn or sunflower seeds over the winter? Now’s the time to stop and check your bird’s weight. Overweight chickens may have difficulty laying eggs because body fat is stored around their tummy and pelvis, which can narrow the pelvic canal and make it harder for them to pass an egg. Weigh your birds (baby scales are ideal) and ensure they are at an appropriate weight. Also, feel the keel bone along their breast to check their condition. You should be able to feel the point of the keel bone, but the ribs should be covered with breast muscles in a healthy hen; if you can’t feel the edge of the keel bone, then your girls could be carrying too much condition. If your girls are overweight or over-conditioned for their breed, stop all treats and encourage foraging-based activities that provide a daily workout to help them work off the excess calories. https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/grit monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/signs-of-illness-383xx monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1736266127200-25DNFKCI1VTWX85SGAMO/sad%2Bchicken.jpg Short reads - Signs of Illness - Tail down, and dirty vent feathers Brown chicken with tail down, and dirty vent feathers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1714491649052-0ZFHRDAX1Q78RTMHJK2V/sick%2Bhen_.jpg Short reads - Signs of Illness - Very sick chicken - hunched, withdrawn, long slow blinks Very sick brown chicken - hunched, withdrawn, long, slow blinks. poorly feathered https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/chicken-lice monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1711882318045-74DWKKTCXUEV10N3M71Z/Lice%2Beggs%2Bon%2Bbird.jpg Short reads - Chicken Lice - Lice eggs on feather shaft Close up picture of the skin and feathers of a brown hen. At the base of the feather, where it meets the skin, small grey clomps of powdery looking material are attached. These are lice egg clusters attached to the feather shaft https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1711883778618-T2X1LJKA16EKFVWXCEIW/hatched%2525252Blice%2525252Beggs%2525252Bon%2525252Bfeather%2525252Bx%2525252B40.jpg Short reads - Chicken Lice - Lice eggs on feather shaft (x 40) magnified feather shaft (x40) shows a close up of the cluster or lice eggs on a feather shaft. there’s yellow/grey material in a clump, with small holes along the length, there are the pockets where the eggs would have been laid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1711882405699-BERQ0XB9MGBZADAI2F6I/Lice%2Bx40%2B.jpg Short reads - Chicken Lice - Chicken louse (x40) 40 times image of a chicken louse.. It ahs 6 legs and a long oval body. The eyes are visible as 2 dark dots to orientate the head from the tail https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/defra-compulsory-registration monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/hot-weather monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/ba0a8f45-d4da-42e0-8ff4-06391c7164e5/Screenshot_20240624_175839_Dropbox.jpg Short reads - Hot weather! - Make it stand out Chicken enjoying the sunshine! https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/caecal-worms monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1705682861349-Y3UCT70KQS1T66TB6E29/heterakis+gallinarum.jpg Short reads - Caecal worms - Tiny caecal worm next to a standard biro for scale. Photo credit: Sharon Evans Tiny caecal worm on a glass microscope slide, next to a standard biro for scale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1705682991052-QYZX4P0L15AY3HULE9EB/caecal+worm+x+40+.jpg Short reads - Caecal worms - Caecal worm under microscope (x40). Photo credit;: Sharon Evans A caecal worm under a microscope Eggs visible inside the worm https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/poultry-medicine-withdrawal-periods monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/worm-egg-counts monthly 0.5 2026-02-13 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/apple-cider-vinegar monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/keeping-chickens-in-winter monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/short-reads-2-1/under-care monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/pet-chicken-vet daily 1.0 2026-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1774698953390-O0VGANLAR5PN8C9B0SWJ/IMG-20260221-WA0008.jpg Home Dr Sharon Evans is teaching her chicken health and poorly hen care course. She is stood at a table and is pointing to the crop area on a model chicken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770388849899-TSQ2B6C27ECGFW78A2V0/IMG-20260206-WA0001.jpg Home Beep the rooster. White rooster (cockerel) looking at the camera. He has large, red comb and wattles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/8a87fdb4-7075-40d0-960f-958b4d2a87b5/IMG-20250228-WA0003+%281%29.jpg Home Sunny day, blue sky. 3 brown hens stood in a grassy field. Suspiciously looking at the camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/f5dc722a-8081-4576-94fa-a95805063c05/IMG-20241201-WA0009.jpg Home Dr Sharon Evans, teaching the chicken health and poorly hen care course. She is sat on a table talking to the class and holding a toy (stuffed) hen for demonstrations https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/19377b41-a162-407f-bb6a-efb0a68ccb10/lucerne+block.jpg Home two brown hens in a large garden on grass. They are pecking at a block of lucerne https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/119ff71b-97fa-4bb3-a704-ec07c2e4e0f5/chicken+clinic+2.jpg Home Dr Sharon Evans at a home visit. She is in a large garden swuating down examining a chicken from a distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/ca0555fc-de8d-439b-a77b-c08f3a700aae/Screenshot_20250310_181042_Drive.jpg Home Dr Sharon Evans is dressed in blue overalls and wearing a white mask. She knelt on the floor and was bandaging the leg of a white chicken, whilst the owner held the bird. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/4c49a09f-762a-4b67-bd18-fc4dff7f42f7/IMG-20250815-WA0003.jpg Home Black copper maran chicken undergoing a moult. the chicken is looking at the camera in anticipation of a treat. the length of her neck is missing feathers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/041b44c9-c0d0-4d8e-82a1-0a34ff96113e/Screenshot_20250310_181323_Drive.jpg Home Dr Sharon Evans is dressed in blue overalls and wearing a white mask. She is in a field. A client is holding a brown hen, while sharon is trimming the bird's beak with a rotary tool, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1734375648698-GDILGYDJ1QA5VSZARPSY/red+mitesjpg.jpg Home Close-up image of poultry red mites. They are 8-legged mites that vary in colour (grey, brown to red) and size due to the life stage and if they've consumed a blood meal recently https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770993681365-FKSHOU45GM2U81E3TZ5F/20231030_114127.jpg Home Close-up image of a large, round worm from a chicken. It's a long yellow worm. Its placed next to a large marker pen lid for scale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/7193ca9f-367e-4668-b094-760b922e9488/Infectious+bronchitis1+.jpg Home Soft shelled egg. Pale brown shell with two large dents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1772119531240-HJMSOHN8STNWXEGQBG3Z/SNV30589.JPG Home Clients garden. 3 brown ducks, 1 white and one black chicken. They are stood in a grassy garden pecking at the ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/d638be29-485d-41a6-a2f2-6c68af06fea6/20250516_131035.jpg Home Chicken egg with a wrinkled shell. The shell is light brown with multible horizontal creases in the shell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1711882405699-BERQ0XB9MGBZADAI2F6I/Lice%2Bx40%2B.jpg Home Poultry lice. Magnified image of a louse. Shows a yellow coloured insect with 6 legs, the head and body are visible https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/04d7cb43-87e2-4867-b23b-60dde908fda4/Chicken+Clinic+homepage+image+clean+edit+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/197de699-c2d8-4b9e-b073-1eba17921290/IMG-20260307-WA0008.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/0a2268a2-2be2-4897-a6d6-d6e41bdfe155/IMG-20260216-WA0000.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/contact daily 0.75 2025-12-16 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/about daily 0.75 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/ea5daa24-855c-4eb9-8a47-865eeb8adb35/Sharon+photo.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/vet-referrals daily 0.75 2026-03-28 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/client-reviews daily 0.75 2026-04-02 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/home-euthanasia daily 0.75 2026-02-03 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/private-training daily 0.75 2026-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/97bbdc27-6976-4fbf-bbdd-7365e105fcae/DFT+3+.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/06cc4bfc-b079-4521-b68b-18fad4fb40a5/DFT+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/b7755096-9daa-4590-b4f5-8a10a67fa2cc/DFT+1.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/testimonials daily 0.75 2026-02-03 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/videocalls daily 0.75 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/03eb896f-6f3f-4a24-a599-6f8298416dae/20250523_170305.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/homevisits daily 0.75 2026-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/4f00c1b8-da7f-43d6-a3b9-460c1148c82d/chicken+clinic+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/041b44c9-c0d0-4d8e-82a1-0a34ff96113e/Screenshot_20250310_181323_Drive.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/ca0555fc-de8d-439b-a77b-c08f3a700aae/Screenshot_20250310_181042_Drive.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/prices daily 0.75 2026-02-03 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/chicken-courses daily 0.75 2026-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/e9becb7c-69d4-47aa-8973-5eabcd82a703/Screenshot_20241201_142508_Studio.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/71459a3e-9acc-49ac-82b9-4ec9cf3260c1/IMG-20241201-WA0009.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/faq daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://chickenclinic.co.uk/beeps-ear-infection daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770398589748-TCDQYRXAXQEZ5SB5PMDC/20251014_152830.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770388101002-29ZMZ9EHKDJBB661AYQT/20251014_152631.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770388124720-OI3UBMAXVFCJS7CQLN9S/20251021_180118.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770389789861-RUUKAIWLURRXOE2Y076N/20251014_161130.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770388809651-K4DX26SFT3P7BD8MA7H6/IMG-20260206-WA0000.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770390085885-4TZ8OZ8XDEVPRH346HTG/IMG-20260206-WA0001.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6479e58364ff1518c0af8218/1770388810877-NJ9LWXY4MKOT9A8BGNKJ/IMG-20260206-WA0002.jpg https://chickenclinic.co.uk/online-courses daily 0.75 2026-03-10