Keeping Poultry with Other Animals

Raising a variety of animals on a small farm is a rewarding experience, but it comes with unique challenges. Protect your flock when they share space with other livestock.

1. Disease Prevention – Stop the Spread

Some animals carry germs without looking sick, and those germs can spread when species mix or share space.

• Bird to bird: Chickens may carry blackhead disease without signs, but it can kill turkeys. Mycoplasma also passes easily between poultry species through air, feed, and water.
• Birds to mammals: Avian influenza has been detected in mammals such as cats, foxes, skunks, dairy cattle, and raccoons.
• Wild birds: Wild birds can shed viruses, bacteria, and parasites into poultry environments, especially through droppings that contaminate feed, water, and soil.
• Other livestock: Cattle, goats, and other animals may track germs into poultry areas on hooves, coats, or manure.

Why?
Healthy-looking animals may spread germs that cause major losses in your flock.

2. Appropriate Housing – A Healthy Home for All

Mixing species often means shared spaces, food, and water, which increases the chance of contamination.

• Feed and water become contaminated by saliva, droppings, or dirty feet.
• Bedding and soil hold bacteria, viruses, and parasites for weeks or even months. Birds scratching in the same litter pick up infections.
• Parasites and pests thrive in shared housing and can affect multiple animal species.

Why?
Shared housing creates constant opportunities for germs and parasites to spread. Separate housing keeps diseases contained.

3. Nourishing Your Birds – The Right Diet

If birds eat diets that are meant for other species, there could be health consequences.

• Chickens need extra calcium for egg production, but too much damages kidneys in turkeys, roosters, or young birds.
• Waterfowl require more niacin (a B vitamin). Without it, their legs may develop poorly.
• Sheep and goats can get sick from ingesting high amounts of copper. Poultry feeds often contain high amounts of copper, which can be toxic to sheep and goats.
• Other livestock need feeds designed for their species. Poultry feed will not meet their nutritional needs.

Why?
When animals eat the wrong feed, they risk nutrient deficiencies, toxicities, and long-term health issues.

4. Reducing Stress, Boosting Health

Different species can stress each other out, weakening their immune systems and making them more prone to illness.

• Aggression and injury: Poultry may be pecked or chased by larger animals, while goats or pigs may injure birds by stepping or biting.
• Competition for feed and space: Stronger animals crowd out weaker ones, leaving some birds underfed or dehydrated.
• Stress and immunity: Research shows stressed poultry are more prone to disease outbreaks, even from germs already present.

Why?
Stress lowers resistance to disease and makes flocks more vulnerable. Keeping species separate reduces conflict and protects health.