5 Tips Protect Your Flock During A Toxic Air Event
*Disclaimer: Toxic air events vary in severity from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening emergency. All of the information provided on this channel-blog-social media account is for educational and enrichment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional services of any kind. I’m not a first responder or a livestock veterinarian. In case of a toxic air event in your area please refer to your local law enforcement and first responders for the most up to date information and safety instructions. Your choices for your own safety and the safety of animals in your care is entirely and solely your responsibility. *
A toxic air event is when there is potential for poor air quality to impact the health of your flock. Toxic air events can vary in severity from minor inconveniences to emergency situations. Toxic air events can be the result of natural occurrences like wild fires or they can be the result of human activity like industrial accidents. During any toxic air event please refer to your local law enforcement and first responders for the most up to date safety information and instructions.
My flock survived a toxic air event involving wild fire smoke. I’m discussing this topic not to alarm you, but to discuss the information so you can begin forming your own plans in case you are faced with a toxic air event in your region. You may ask is it even worth it to homestead and raise animals during difficult times? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. Regardless of the challenges you may face as a homesteader and backyard chicken keeper the rewards and benefits far outweigh the negatives. It may never be a perfect world, but you can create a perfect world in your own backyard or on your back porch or balcony. A better world begins with every small flock and every small garden and container garden.
If the toxic air event is one that doesn’t require evacuation, if possible, move your flock indoors. If possible, into temporary lodging inside or into a barn or out building like a covered porch, shed, or garage. If your flock is small enough you can move them temporarily into a spare bathroom or a basement during the height of the toxic air event. Other options if they are available to you include utilizing a barn, garage, covered porch, or other temporary lodging to give your flock as much protection as possible. Be sure to remove any chemicals stored in these areas or any other unsafe objects that may harm your chickens. You can also utilize objects like large dog crates lined with puppy pads. Stressing that this is a temporary and emergency solution only appropriate for a short time.
Limit activity and keep your chickens in their run or coop. The more exercise and the more active chickens are the more they will potentially inhale the toxic air. If it isn’t possible to bring your flock inside, limit their activity and provide as much shelter and protection as you feasibly can. Tarps and old sheets can be used to construct temporary wind breaks and provide some additional protection.
Replace all of your chickens’ food and water that has been exposed to the toxic air. After the wild fire incident on our homestead, I noticed all of my chickens’ food and water stations were covered in residue. I disposed of all of the food and water that had residue in it and cleaned my chicken food and water stations thoroughly before refilling them.
Monitor your flock for signs of respiratory distress. Signs of respiratory distress include things like gaping beak, gasping, wheezing, or lethargy. Individual flock members that are young developing chicks or elderly chickens may be more physically vulnerable than other members of the flock. Provide individual isolation and care as needed.
Provide additional health and immune support after the toxic air event in the form of excellent nutrition and vitamin supplements. The toxic air event may only last between 24-48 hours but you may notice the overall health of your flock is detrimentally impacted as they work to recover from their exposure. You may see reduced productivity as your flock is healing. Support your flock’s recovery and natural immunity with excellent nutrition in the form of mash, fermented feed, and a poultry safe vitamin supplement in one of their water stations. Natural herbs like lemon balm, rosemary, and mint can also be brewed into a natural herbal tea, cooled, and offered to your flock in a livestock safe dish. A respiratory support supplement like VetRx can also be given to your flock to help address minor respiratory distress. Consult your local livestock veterinarian if needed. *I’m not associated with VetRx in any official way. I have used their product and have been very happy with how it performed. *
Bonus tip. Discuss emergency preparedness with your family. Your local law enforcement and first responders will have free resources to begin forming your own emergency plans. Acquiring a livestock safe trailer may be a worthwhile investment for your family. Chickens can’t be transported in an open container as high winds during normal traffic could prove fatal. Chickens need to be transported in a livestock safe or pet safe crate preferably in covered cab. If one isn’t available their container can be protected with tarps or packing blankets. Animals being transported need access to food and water. Chickens or any animals should never be left in a covered or contained space where there is the potential for them to die from overheating. If it is necessary to leave your chickens, provide them with extra food, water, and grit, enough to support them until your return. In anticipation of severe weather or other emergency events, topping off all of your chicken food and water stations helps prepare your flock in case of utility interruptions.
I hope this has been a helpful starting point for forming your own emergency plans for your family and your flock. I share this information not to scare you but to inspire you to think calmly, plan ahead, and take simple precautions to keep your flock and family safe all year long. If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to check out Chuck’s other social media for more backyard chicken and homesteading content.
Chuck and the Chicks 