Instructions
Register the location of your chicken flock with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This is a requirement of anyone raising chickens in Maryland, according to an article in the Southern Maryland. Registering your location makes it easier for the MDA to contact you regarding a possible bird flu outbreak so you can take measures to protect your flock.
Buy chickens from hatcheries certified by the United State's Department of Agriculture̵7;s National Poultry Improvement Plan. These hatcheries test often for diseases, keep accurate records about where the chickens come from and follow strict rules to prevent diseases in the flock. Chickens purchased from illegal hatcheries may introduce disease into your flock.
Report sick chickens to the MDA. If more than one chicken in your flock is ill, it could be a sign of a potential outbreak. The MDA will provide you with instructions on what to do with the ill chickens to prevent any diseases from spreading. Symptoms of an illness include sneezing, wheezing, green discharge, swelling, tremors and reduced egg production.
Keep your chickens in a pen with a solid roof. The roof will prevent birds contaminated with bird flu and other diseases from flying overhead and infecting the chickens by dropping their waste on them. The roof will also protect the chickens from rain, snow and direct sun.
Prevent people from coming into contact with your chickens. Humans can contract and pass on bird flu to other birds. Limit the number of people who come into contact with your chickens to greatly reduce your flock's risk of contracting the disease.
Hang a heat lamp from the roof of the chicken coop if the temperature gets down to zero degrees F during the winter. Do not heat the coop warmer than 32 degrees F because this will introduce moisture into the coop and may cause bacteria to develop.
Keep the chickens in a secure coop with at least 4 feet of space for each chicken. Enclose the chicken coop with secure wire mesh or fencing and place a secure lock on the door to prevent predators such as coyotes or foxes from getting in. The coop should also have at least one wall to protect the chickens from wind.
Place the chicken coop in an area that gets partial shade. A chicken coop in full sun will get too hot for the chickens, especially during the summer. A reasonable amount of shade will keep the temperature down and provide a few dark corners for the chickens to nest.
How to Keep Chickens in Maryland
Whether you are keeping just a few chickens in the backyard or running a large chicken farm, following a few basic rules will help you raise healthy chickens in Maryland. Certain steps must be taken to prevent the spread of diseases such as bird flu to your flock. Protecting chickens from hot Maryland summers as well as cold winters is also necessary for a healthy flock. Knowing the potential threats to your chicken flock will better prepare you for them.