Brae Farm

11/01/2025

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas 🎄 to you all. Wishing you all a lovely day and a great clucking new year 🐣

19/12/2024

Better pics of the 3 girls for sale. $60 ea please pm if interested. Located Landsborough 🐣

18/12/2024

3 silver spangled hamburg pullets. Please pm for details. See previous post for parent pics. Not the best pics but it’s still raining 😳

17/12/2024

Expression of interest….
3 silver spangled Hamburg pullets lovely little chickens. Pics of parents attached. Can pm pics of them, when it stops raining. Located Landsborough.

08/12/2024

Summer Treat Ideas…..The Good life backyard….


🍉 Cold melons are great for your chickens in summer, and they love them! Watermelon is mostly water and is full of antioxidants. See our watermelon soup recipe below!
🍓 Berries (frozen or fresh) are also packed with antioxidants and also full of fibre and vitamin C.
🍏 Apples are a great summer snack, full of water and natural antioxidants. Try hanging an apple on a hanging fruit skewer for a nutritional boredom buster.
🥒 A cold cucumber from the fridge is especially welcome in the heat of summer as they are moisture-rich. Cucumbers contain potassium, fibre, and vitamin C. They also provide small amounts of vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, and vitamin A.
🌿 Seaw**d meal (kelp) is a great supplement to add to your chicken's diet in summer (and year-round!). It is packed full of vitamins and minerals. Potassium, magnesium, calcium, and zinc.
☕️ Brewing herbal tea is nutritious for your chickens and a nice change for them from plain water.

04/12/2024

Whilst Summer is a great time of year for us, full of fun and festivities, this can be a tough season for your backyard flock.
We are so lucky in Australia, having beautiful long summers days, but anything over 30 degrees celsius can cause heat stress and heat related illnesses in our chickens. Did you know chickens can’t sweat to cool themselves? Instead, chickens dissipate excess heat from their combs, wattles, beaks, and feet.
Some signs that your chickens are suffering heat stress to look out for are:
🔥 holding their wings away from their body
🔥 panting- almost like gasping
🔥 increased thirst
🔥 looking lethargic and floppy
🔥 pale or discoloured combs and wattles
🔥 egg production may also decrease with prolonged heat exposure
Here are my top tips to keep your chickens hydrated this summer:
✔️ The most important and easiest thing you can do is to sort their water supply out. Our automatic waterers are fantastic as they hold a larger supply of water than traditional watering systems. They also have a fully removable lid, making it easier to add ice cubes. Often a large bag of ice over a hot summers day can be of great assistance. If your chickens have access to cool water, this will cool them down very quickly.
✔️ Frozen treats work wonders. You can freeze anything really, berries, fruit, herbs or even grain in some water and then in ice cubes. Frozen watermelon is ALWAYS a winner. How about freezing berries in some yoghurt? I
✔️ Shade. Please make sure you have some shaded areas for your chooks. Whether that be trees or with umbrellas and shade sails. Shade in the coop nesting areas is not sufficient, as the actual coop will get very hot. Chickens need open shade. They like to scratch down a dust bath in cool earth.
✔️ Hydration supplements. During the height of summer, give your feathered friends some Avi-Lyte. This is an Australian made liquid electrolyte which provides energy and replaces electrolytes lost during periods of stress, particularly heat stress.

04/12/2024

Worm infestations are a common challenge in chicken keeping. Chickens often contract worms through their diet, which might include contaminated droppings or insects harboring worm eggs. Understanding how to effectively worm your chickens is crucial for their health and well-being.
Why Is Worming Important?
Worms can significantly impact your chickens by depleting their nutrients and causing discomfort or even serious health issues. Symptoms of worm infestations include:
Poor weight gain despite increased feed consumption
Pale yolk color in eggs
Diarrhea
In severe cases, anemia (indicated by a pale comb and wattles) and potentially mortality
Chickens affected by gapeworm may exhibit gasping or “gaping,” a behavior where they stretch their necks as they struggle to breathe
Regular inspection of chicken droppings for worms is a good preventive measure.
Common Types of Chicken Worms
Hair Worm: Found in the esophagus, intestines, stomach, and crop.
Roundworm: Affects the digestive system.
Gapeworm: Resides in the trachea and lungs.
Caecal Worm: Known to cause blackhead disease, especially harmful to turkeys.

Effective Worming Strategies
Worming chickens should be a routine part of your poultry management. I recommend worming at the start of each season, as this makes it easier to remember the schedule. Additionally, natural remedies can be used throughout the year to maintain control over these parasites.
For young chicks who begin exploring outside, worming should start by around six weeks of age.
Choosing the Right Worming Treatment
Worming products for chickens come in various forms, including tablets and liquids, which are suitable depending on your flock’s size and your personal preference:
Tablets: Ideal for small flocks where individual dosing is feasible. Tablets can be hidden in treats like corn kernels or blueberries to ensure ingestion.
Liquid Wormers: Better suited for larger flocks. Use a dedicated waterer for the worming solution and remove other water sources to ensure all chickens consume the medicated water. Adding a bit of molasses can make the solution more appealing to fussy chickens.
Natural Worming Alternatives
While not always 100% effective, natural remedies can be a valuable part of your worming regimen:
Diatomaceous Earth: Adds to feed to dehydrate internal parasites and provide trace minerals.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Offers mild antiseptic and antibiotic properties, helping to deter worms.
Garlic: Enhances the immune system and creates an environment less hospitable to parasites.
Repeat Treatments
If you discover an active infestation, a follow-up dose is crucial. Administer the initial worming treatment, then a second dose 10-14 days later to address any newly hatched worms.
Regular worming is an essential aspect of chicken care. Whether you opt for medicated products or natural solutions, maintaining a consistent worming schedule will help keep your flock healthy and productive. Explore products like Kilverm Liquid Wormer, Avitrol Plus Wormer Tablets, and natural options such as Diatomaceous Earth and Apple Cider Vinegar to find the best fit for your needs.
Remember, a healthy chicken is a happy chicken, and keeping worms at bay is a key part of ensuring your flock’s well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Worming Chickens
How often should I worm my chickens?
The frequency of worming can vary depending on several factors, including the environment, the size of your flock, and their exposure to risks. As a general guideline, it’s advisable to worm your chickens quarterly, aligning the treatment with the change of each season. This routine ensures that any worms which have developed resistance or have been newly acquired are dealt with promptly. For flocks in high-risk areas or those showing frequent problems, more frequent worming might be necessary.
Are there any signs that indicate a worm overload?
Yes, there are several signs that can indicate your chickens might be suffering from a significant worm burden. These include:
Noticeable decrease in overall health: Look for lethargy, reduced appetite, and poor general appearance.
Changes in droppings: Worms or eggs may be visible in the f***s. Additionally, diarrhea or unusually watery droppings can also be a sign.
Reduced egg production: Infected hens may lay fewer eggs, and the eggs might have pale yolks.
Physical symptoms: Such as a pale comb and wattles, which can indicate anemia. In severe cases, you might observe weight loss or visible distress like gasping for air in cases of gapeworm.
Can worm infestations be completely prevented?
While it’s challenging to completely prevent worm infestations, regular management and preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk and impact of worms on your flock. Some key strategies include:
Maintain clean living conditions: Regularly clean and disinfect the coop and change bedding frequently to minimize the chances of worm eggs developing.
Control intermediate hosts: Limit your chickens’ exposure to intermediate hosts like snails, slugs, and certain insects that can carry worm eggs.
Regular health checks: Monitor your flock’s health closely and look for early signs of worm infestation to treat them before they become severe.
Use of natural preventatives: Incorporating natural remedies like diatomaceous earth, apple cider vinegar, and garlic into your chickens’ diet can help deter worms but should not replace regular worming treatments.

20/11/2024

Fat Hen Hobby Farm…..

Coccidiosis
With all this rain about and reading alot of other people’s posts
Now’s the time for prime cocci weather

What is cocci ? Coccidiosis may be one of the most common diseases affecting small flocks around the world,
It is a tiny microscopic parasite that attaches itself to the gut lining/intestinal track causing malnutrition, dehydration and blood loss , chicks generally end up getting a secondary infection and without quick treatment the chicks will die,
Weather pattens like atm with lots of rain , humidity, warm weather make cocci thrive in the environment which the chickens eat than they shed more oocytes( eggs) p**ps in an ongoing vicious cycle.

Keeping your brooder dry and clean can definitely help but even the cleanest brooders will get an cocci outbreak here and there as we all know chickens love to peck at their own p**p and anything gross ,
Every bird species can carry them and there is several different species on cocci to make it even more complicated .
Certain factors can excalate the problem like weather patterns , over crowding , excess faeces in the brooder / chicken pen, stress, like taking off the heat too early , change of environment and bullying in the brooder .
Flies also feed on the p**p and can spread it everywhere as well.
Cocci is in pretty much in all environments and you will never fully eliminate it , generally your chickens will build up immunity to it and hopefully never be an issue again.
📍symptoms
Bloody stools
Not eating
Ruffled feathers acting cold, lethargy
Pale comb
📍Prevention is the key
Keeping your brooder or pen dry, cleaning up excess p**p, spilt water bowls , minimising stress in your flock / babies. Fly traps around your coop/brooder . Not keeping ducks in with your chickens. Minimise wild birds from near your coop. Especially between the day old to 12 week old mark .
Check your chicks and make sure they have full crops at the end of each day.
Keeping your chicks on a good quality medicated chick starter usually will help keep cocci at bay and allow the chickens to build a gradual immunity to them .
📍Treatments
There is lots of different products on the market that can help .
Amprolium
Baycox
Coci quell
Cociprol
Keystat
If your chickens are super sick, Baycox
Is the best option as it only takes 2 days of treatment to eliminate it.

17/11/2024

Hey guys I have 2 or 3 little pullets that are pekin if you’re interested please pm me. They are young still in brooder but don’t need heat. Will pm pics to anyone interested later today 🐣

10/11/2024

My beautiful little Quamby chicks from Tasmania are so cute 🥰
New breed average laying 300 eggs per year.
Regular size chickens with pic of parents in third and fourth pic 😁

08/11/2024

My newest little babies 🐣just hope there are more girls breed ….Quamby ….from Tasmania ❤️

05/11/2024

The Goodlife Backyard….

Backyard chickens enjoy spending most of their time in a garden. This is where they scratch the ground for worms, bugs, and small rodents. The garden also provides a safe haven away from the prying eyes of predators. At the same time, plants in the garden shield them against the sun in summer. So there is more to providing a garden for your backyard flock than just the beauty aspect of it.
On the other hand, chickens are omnivores and will devour several garden crops, grass, and everything else they will gain access to. It probably goes without saying, but once your chickens get a taste of their own garden, they will always want more. As chickens can’t differentiate your garden from theirs, take some time to implement measures that will keep your chickens out of your garden and in theirs.
Whether you are starting with a blank slate or working with a fully established mature landscape, here are several tips you will need to take in planning your chicken-friendly garden.
1. Avoid Toxic Plants
Do not include these plants in your chicken garden: amaryllis, azalea, bleeding heart, boxwood, castor bean, clematis, daffodil, elderberry, English ivy, hyacinth, eucalyptus, foxglove, hemlock, holly, honeysuckle, hydrangea, iris, ivy, jasmine, lantana, lupine, morning glory, mountain laurel, nightshades, oleander, philodendron, rhododendron, wisteria, and yew. However, don’t panic, if your chickens come across a toxic plant, they are unlikely to get a harmful dose if you unwittingly plant one in your chicken’s reach. These plants almost always taste bad to chickens, so one nibble will send them looking for something better to eat. Make sure to avoid spraying or applying anything on your chicken garden that you wouldn’t want your chickens to eat, including pesticides and fertilizers that could harm your hens if they eat a treated leaf.
2. Dust Bath
Chickens need to take dust baths to ward off external parasites and to keep their oil glands in check.
Adding a large area for dust baths will attract your chickens without much extra effort on your part. You can section off a large area and add dirt or diatomaceous earth for them to flap around in.
Once chickens find a favourite dust bath location, they will be back time and time again.
Why not add our ready-made dust bath to really get your new dust bath perfect.
3. Perimeter hens
If you are in love with the idea of having your chickens work the garden, and you are beyond frustrated with trying to keep them sorted out, perimeter work may be for you.
Building a chicken run along the outside walls of your garden is better than nothing. Chickens can make quite a difference in keeping grasshoppers, slugs, and snails down by only working the outside edges.
4. Predator Safety
As always, predators are lurking everywhere. You can plant bushes and shrubs around your garden that are chicken-friendly. Shrubs should be easy for chickens to hide beneath should an aerial predator decide to have chicken for lunch.
Tall plants and bushes provide additional benefits to your chickens such as shade in hot weather, and tasty treats (fallen apples and other fruits). These plants will keep the garden looking good throughout because your chickens will only eat bottom leaves but not higher growth.
5. Protect Your Plants With Barriers
Your chickens will often dig around your plantings and disturb the roots. So, it is a good idea to select hardy, durable plants. Deep-rooted perennials are a great choice. You can also avoid having your chickens dig up plants by using containers wherever possible. However, expect that your curious birds will climb in and perch on the containers unless you’ve planted them with spiny plants or guarded them with decorative twigs.
Ambitious chickens have even been known to empty out pots of the plants and soil, and then use those pots as nest boxes. For lovely plants that they might eat, or if they won’t leave your potted plants alone, use hanging baskets to keep those plants out of reach.
6. Incorporate Hardscaping
In order to incorporate hardscaping, you need to consider adding a few gravel paths to the garden. These paths are usually chicken-friendly and a good source of grit for their digestion. Gravel will also help control w**ds, primarily when you use them together with the w**d fabric during hardscaping.
Stone and cement are another great addition to your hardscaping when designing your chicken-friendly garden. They are easy to maintain and last longer than other materials in the garden.
7. Grow your chickens something nice to eat!
Not all chicken garden landscaping is about keeping your birds out of the plants. It’s also nice to plant healthy treats for your girls to enjoy. Our forage seed mix is an excellent choice for your laying hens. You can either plant it in their yard and protect it from being entirely decimated by laying chicken wire over the roots, or you can plant it in trays to grow first and deliver to their coop. Or, try our beneficial herb mix, these seeds have been chosen and blended to grow the perfect chook-friendly beneficial herb garden.
8. Chicken’s will help you clean up!
You can turn your chickens loose in the garden when you’re done with the season’s harvest, and your birds will happily clean up for you. Remove spent tomato, eggplant, potato, and other nightshade plants before letting your chickens in the garden, as these plants have toxic leaves. If you have a backyard orchard, your chickens can help keep down pest and w**d problems by allowing them to graze around the trees.
9. No plant is completey chicken proof
Chickens can be picky eaters. What one hen will eat, another will not. What one hen will not eat today, she may favour next week or next year. And even if they don’t eat your plants, they may decide to dig up, sit on, or otherwise damage those plants. Before planting up all your landscaping with “chicken proof” plants, buy just a few and see how your chickens treat them for a few weeks before buying more. Often, chickens will not eat strongly flavored plants such as mint and rosemary. They also typically avoid eating sweet potato vines, vinca, juniper, fir, butterfly bush, and anything with spiky leaves. Ornamental grasses are especially nice for the chicken garden because they also look good in the winter.
Tip: Here are some edible and chicken safe herbs and vegetables
Basil
Oregano
Wormwood
Lavender
Mint
Catnip
Bay leaves
Chamomile
Fennel
Parsley
Rosemary
Tarragon
Marjoram
Cilantro
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Carrots
Cucumbers
Peas
Bell peppers
Pumpkins
Squash

05/11/2024

Poisonous Plants

Regularly Patrol the Yard: Check the areas where your chickens free-range and pull up any of these toxic plants if they begin to appear. Spring is the perfect time to spot new growth.
Create a Chicken-Safe Garden: If you want to grow plants in the free-range area, opt for chicken-friendly species such as clover, dandelion, and herbs like parsley and mint.
Introduce Safe Forage Options: Instead of relying on natural vegetation that might be dangerous, consider planting chicken-safe greens like spinach, kale, or chickw**d, which will keep your flock busy and well-nourished.
Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Though beautiful, oleander is highly toxic to chickens and other animals. Even a small nibble on the leaves or flowers can cause serious illness.

Oleander is a common garden plant in Australia, so be sure to keep your chickens well away from it.

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

This w**d is commonly found in pastures and can spread easily. Ragwort contains alkaloids that can damage your chickens' liver if consumed over time.

It’s best to keep your free-range areas clear of this persistent w**d.
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)

Similar to its Northern Hemisphere counterpart, deadly nightshade is also found in Australia.

The plant's berries may be tempting to chickens, but they contain toxins that can cause rapid heart rate, respiratory issues, and digestive distress.

Lantana (Lantana camara)

Lantana is considered a w**d in many parts of Australia.

Its berries, leaves, and flowers are toxic to chickens and can cause photosensitivity, gastrointestinal upset, and, in severe cases, liver damage.
Bracken Fern (Pteridium esculentum)

This native Australian fern often flourishes in spring and can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.

It's known to cause vitamin B1 deficiency in chickens, leading to neurological symptoms such as lethargy and weakness.