5 Signs Your Flock Needs a Nutritional Boost (And What to Do About It)
Looking after a flock of backyard chickens or poultry means more than providing shelter and a feeder full of pellets. These curious birds frequently give subtle clues when their diet isn’t quite giving them what they need. Spotting these early signs and acting with the right support can keep your birds healthy, productive, and thriving.
The good news? You don’t always need to overhaul their feed. Sometimes a targeted supplement can bridge key nutritional gaps. The new Flock Wellness Pack for Chicken and Poultry Birds from Aviform brings together a suite of specialised supplements to support your flock’s overall wellbeing.
1. Dropping Egg Production & Poor Shell Quality
If your layers have suddenly slowed down or their eggs are coming out with thin, brittle shells, it could mean they’re lacking calcium or other essential nutrients.
Why it matters: Calcium, vitamin D and trace minerals are vital for strong shells, especially in laying hens.
What to do:
- Offer calcium supplements or free‑choice oyster shell.
- Try Shell Stuff! Liquid Calcium to directly boost calcium availability in water or feed.
This helps the shell‑forming process and supports healthy egg development, often without altering your base feed.
2. Lacklustre Feathers, Slow Moulting or Poor Condition
Feathers tell a story. If your birds look scruffy after moult or their plumage is dull and patchy, it’s a sign they need more protein, amino acids, and micronutrients.
Why it matters: Feather growth and quality hinge on adequate nutrition, especially during moulting seasons.
What to do:
Add a broad‑spectrum tonic like Total Health Stuff! All‑in‑One Poultry Bird Tonic, which combines vitamins, prebiotics, essential oils and nutrients aimed at improving overall condition and feathering.
It’s designed to boost general vitality, support the immune system, and improve nutrient utilisation, all of which help birds complete their moults with better feather regrowth.
3. Soft Droppings, Poor Digestion or Post‑Illness Weakness
Loose stools, changes in droppings, or sluggish recovery after sickness often point to digestive imbalance or stress from illness.
Why it matters: A healthy gut is key to nutrient absorption; when digestion falters, even the best feed isn’t fully utilised.
What to do:
A great place to start is Digestive Stuff! Probiotic Poultry Bird Recovery Supplement, a probiotic and electrolyte blend that helps replenish healthy gut flora and supports rapid recovery after illness or antibiotics.
Regular use can also improve nutrient uptake and help prevent digestive upsets in the first place.
4. Frequent Respiratory Issues or Poor Airway Health
Sneezing, rattled breathing, or nasal discharge are not just annoyances; they can be signs your birds need help maintaining respiratory health.
Why it matters: Respiratory stress, especially in damp or dusty conditions, can sap energy and leave birds susceptible to infection.
What to do:
Try Respiratory Stuff! Respiratory Supplement for Chickens to support clear airways and lung health. It’s formulated with natural sensory oils and trace elements to help maintain respiratory comfort, either as a preventative or during minor respiratory challenges.
5. Breeding Challenges, Weak Chicks or Poor Immunity
If you’re breeding birds and noticing lower fertility, weaker chicks or frequent bouts of illness, their immune system may need reinforcement.
Why it matters: Strong reproductive performance and immune defence require adequate antioxidants, vitamins and metabolic support.
What to do:
Breeding & Immunity Stuff combines targeted nutrients to support egg fertility, hatchability and robust immunity. Used during breeding cycles, it helps give both adults and chicks a nutritional edge.
The Bigger Picture: Balanced Nutrition + Wellness Support
Luckily, all the supplements mentioned, Total Health Stuff!, Digestive Stuff!, Shell Stuff!, Breeding & Immunity Stuff!, Respiratory Stuff!, and Mitey Stuff! are conveniently available together in the Flock Wellness Pack. Not only does it simplify caring for your flock, but purchasing the pack also provides significant savings compared to buying each supplement separately at RRP. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to give your flock complete nutritional support.
Good feed is the foundation of flock health, but supplements like those in the Aviform Flock Wellness Pack allow you to target specific needs quickly and effectively. This pack combines core products that help your flock stay in peak condition, addressing every aspect of their well-being: overall health, digestion, calcium support, immunity, respiratory care, and even mite control.
Whether you’re dealing with a seasonal slump, post-moult recovery, or simply want to keep your birds in tip-top shape year-round, recognising the signs that your flock needs a nutritional boost is the first step toward happier, healthier birds.
