09/08/2026
🐔 HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT CHICKENS DID TO THEIR GODS?
Have you ever sat down and wondered: What exactly did chickens do to their gods to deserve all these calamities? 😂
Think about it.
A chicken wakes up in the morning, scratches the ground, looks for food and goes about its business. Yet, from the moment it is born, danger seems to be waiting around every corner.
First come the predators. Hawks patrol the skies like professional hunters, while cats, dogs, snakes and other predators may be waiting for an opportunity.
Then there are diseases.
Newcastle disease, infectious diseases, respiratory infections and other illnesses can wipe out an entire flock if proper preventive measures aren't taken.
And just when you think the chicken has survived the diseases, along come the parasites.
Lice, mites, fleas and worms can make life extremely uncomfortable for our feathered friends, affecting their growth, productivity and general health.
Then there are humans.
We love chicken meat. We love chicken eggs. Fried chicken, grilled chicken, boiled chicken, chicken stew… the list is endless. 😂
And let's not forget the chicken thieves who can turn a peaceful night into a poultry disaster.
So honestly, one has to ask:
WHAT DID CHICKENS DO TO DESERVE ALL THIS? 🐔😂
BUT NEVERTHELESS…
As a veterinarian, I would say the chicken isn't completely helpless.
Most of these calamities can be prevented, controlled or significantly reduced through proper poultry management and veterinary care.
🩺 1. PREVENT DISEASES BEFORE THEY STRIKE
Vaccination is one of the most important tools in poultry health.
Farmers should follow an appropriate vaccination programme, especially against diseases such as Newcastle disease and other important poultry diseases prevalent in their area.
Don't wait until chickens start dying before seeking veterinary advice.
Prevention is cheaper than treatment—and sometimes treatment comes too late.
🧼 2. PRACTISE GOOD BIOSECURITY
Keep the chicken house clean and dry.
Limit unnecessary visitors, disinfect equipment, quarantine newly introduced birds and avoid mixing birds of unknown health status with your flock.
Remember:
A clean poultry house is part of the medicine cabinet.
🪱 3. CONTROL PARASITES
Regularly inspect birds for external parasites such as mites and lice.
Internal parasites can also affect poultry, particularly where birds have access to contaminated environments.
A veterinarian can advise on appropriate parasite-control measures based on the farming system and local risks.
🦅 4. PROTECT CHICKENS FROM PREDATORS
Don't give hawks and other predators an open invitation to your poultry buffet.
Provide secure housing, especially at night. Where appropriate, use predator-proof fencing, covered runs and secure doors.
Young chicks need particularly strong protection because they are vulnerable to many predators.
🌾 5. FEED THEM PROPERLY
A healthy chicken needs a balanced diet and constant access to clean drinking water.
Poor nutrition weakens birds, slows growth, reduces egg production and can make them more vulnerable to disease.
Good nutrition isn't a luxury.
It is part of disease prevention.
🏠 6. PROVIDE GOOD HOUSING
Poultry houses should have adequate ventilation without exposing birds to excessive cold or harsh environmental conditions.
Avoid overcrowding and keep litter dry.
Good housing reduces stress and helps control the spread of disease.
🔐 7. DEAL WITH THE HUMAN PREDATORS TOO 😂
Sometimes the biggest predator isn't in the sky or under the bushes.
It's a person who knows exactly where your chickens sleep.
Secure your poultry house, keep proper records and make sure the birds are safely locked in at night.
Because no vaccine has yet been developed against chicken thieves. 😂
🐔 THE FINAL PRESCRIPTION
Dear chicken farmer, your birds may face predators, diseases, parasites, environmental challenges and even humans with an appetite for chicken—but you don't have to sit back and watch.
Vaccinate. Keep it clean. Control parasites. Feed properly. Provide good housing. Practise biosecurity. Protect against predators. Consult your veterinarian regularly.
Because sometimes the difference between a thriving flock and a poultry disaster isn't luck.
It's good management and timely veterinary care.
And finally, to all chickens everywhere:
We may never know what you did to your gods… but we're doing our best to keep you alive long enough to find out. 🐔😂🩺
