Common Chicken Health Issues

Caring for chickens goes beyond providing feed, a coop and a secure chicken run. Routine checks are key to preventing illness and keeping your flock healthy. Some common issues can be spotted through a simple head-to-toe exam, making it easier to treat. Here are five common chicken health problems and what to look for.

1. Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a disease that affects the intestinal tract, particularly in young chicks. It is usually caused by overcrowding and they contract it by pecking at chicken poop. When a chicken ingests droppings, coccidia parasite attaches to the chicken’s intestinal lining, damaging its intestinal tract, preventing absorption of nutrients. Early signs include lethargy, a pale comb and discolored or bloody droppings. Chickens with coccidiosis may stop eating and drinking.

How to Examine

Do a light cleaning of their bedding daily and look for blood or orange discoloration in their droppings. If a chick or chicken seems weak, isolated from the flock or its comb is noticeably paler than usual, it could be an indicator of this parasitic infection. A quick check of the bedding in brooders or coops can also tell you if there are unsanitary conditions that might promote the spread of coccidia. Most likely they need a larger space to sleep in and roam in during the day.

Prevention & Treatment

A clean brooder and coop are essential. Keep the bedding dry, and keep feeders and waterers clean to prevent the spread of coccidia. If there is blood in their droppings, treat for coccidiosis immediately. Always have a bottle of Corid on hand to treat this right away because if it goes untreated chicks and chickens can die within a week. You can also consult an avian veterinarian for a prescribed antibiotic treatment. It is always important to isolate the infected bird(s) to avoid spreading any illnesses.

2. Pasty Butt

Pasty butt is a common issue in chicks, especially during the first few weeks of life. It occurs when droppings get stuck around a chick’s vent (where they poop from), blocking waste elimination. If it’s not cleaned off right away, it can quickly become fatal.

How to Examine

Inspect the vent area daily for any dried poop stuck to their feathers. A chick with pasty butt may also seem more lethargic or distressed than the others. Regular checks during feeding or when holding the chicks help catch the issue early. Of course, it’s always fun to hold and play with your fluffy chicken.

Prevention & Treatment

Maintaining a clean and properly heated brooder environment reduces stress on chicks, preventing pasty butt. If it occurs, use warm water and a soft cloth to gently remove the dried poop.

3. Poultry Lice and Mites

Lice and mites are external parasites that can infest chickens, causing discomfort, anemia and even death in severe cases. You will know a chicken has an infestation because these parasites are visible near the chicken’s vent and under their wings. Other signs and symptoms include pale comb, feather loss and lethargy.

How to Examine

When you are holding an infested chicken, you will usually see lice or mites crawl onto your arm or get onto your clothes. Poultry mites are usually dark, red or black tiny dots, whereas poultry lice are almost clear with a yellow tint. Look around the chicken’s vent, under their wings and behind their neck. Other signs of infestation are excessive preening, scratching, isolation and not eating or roosting.

Prevention & Treatment

Provide your chickens with dry dust bathing areas where they can naturally rid themselves of parasites daily. Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in dust baths, coops and runs as a preventative measure. If lice or mites are present, use a poultry-safe parasite spray, then give the chicken a warm soapy bath, followed by drying with a low-heat blow dryer.

4. Bumblefoot

Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection of a chicken’s foot caused by a staph infection. It typically appears as a swollen red area, sometimes with a dark scab on the footpad. Even slight limping, walking funny or not roosting could indicate the beginning stages of bumblefoot.

How to Examine

Being aware of how they normally walk will help you detect this early. If you see them walking with a limp, pick them up and examine the bottoms of their feet for swelling, redness or scabs. It helps to have someone holding the chicken to make it easier to see their feet.

Prevention & Treatment

Prevent bumblefoot by ensuring that roosts surfaces are smooth, and that bedding is kept clean and dry. If your chicken has bumblefoot, do not attempt to cut into the wound. Soak the affected foot in warm water with Epsom salt, then apply a poultry-safe antimicrobial spray or ointment. If the infection doesn’t improve, consult a veterinarian for treatment.

5. Respiratory Issues and Discolored Comb

Respiratory issues in chickens can range from mild colds to more severe conditions like infectious bronchitis. Signs include a raspy voice, nasal discharge or labored breathing. Chickens with respiratory issues often have a pale or discolored comb and wattles.

How to Examine

Hold the chicken close to your ear and listen for any wheezing or raspy sounds. Inspect the comb and wattles for discoloration or paleness. A chicken with respiratory problems may also have watery eyes, nasal discharge or frequent sneezing.

Prevention & Treatment

Limit exposure to drafts and dust in the chick brooder and manage frustrations with the chicken coop during winter. Keeping the environment clean and well-ventilated reduces the chance of respiratory illnesses. If respiratory distress is observed, products like VetRx can be applied as a first line of treatment. However, severe cases may require antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian.

Takeaway

Conducting regular head-to-toe exams on chickens helps detect common health issues early, thus preventing serious illness or loss of life. By paying attention to changes in behavior, physical appearance and droppings, most of these health problems can be detected before they escalate. Maintaining a clean and safe environment for your chickens will ensure you have a healthy flock. Always consult a veterinarian when necessary.

Author's First-Hand Experience: Peggy, Our Broody Hen, Had a Poultry Mite Infestation

Peggy and her unhatched eggs were covered in mites even though the day before she looked perfectly healthy. The next day she looked visibly ill and near death. We used a compressed air can to blow the mites off of the eggs and sprayed Peggy with a poultry parasite killer under her wings and vent. We also gave her a bath in warm soapy water using dish soap, rinsed and repeated, then dried her with a towel and hair dryer. We cleaned out the coop, and washed and sprayed with poultry parasite killer.

Two days later, Peggy had her chicks!