Chicken Health

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Symptoms of a sick chicken

We have listed below the names of the top diseases and illnesses related to chickens as well as the related symptoms. Select the name of the disease or illness to read our blog articles and advice for treatment. Certain diseases and illnesses in chickens can be fatal in a very short period of time so it is important to treat the sick hen as a matter of urgency.

Coccidiosis	Bloody or watery diarrhea Lethargy Lack of appetite Pale combs and wattles Droopy posture and wings Ruffled or puffed up feathers Droopy, dull or glazed eyes Poor growth in chicks Death
Mycoplasmosis
Fowl Pox
Newcastle disease	Respiratory stress sneezing, gurgling or rattling Possible gaping beak Watery, liquid yellow/green poop twisted neck may be apparent possible tremors or paralysis
Salmonellosis (Salmonella)	high mortality rate almost no visible symptoms older hens may present fever, dehydration and also a pale comb
Mites and Lice	dirty vent feathers pale coloured comb decrease in egg production feather pulling red, skin irritation scabs visible mites on skin or lice on feathers
Gapeworm	Gaping (stretching the neck, shaking the head, in an attempt to dislodge the worms) Coughing Open-mouthed breathing or panting Gasping for breath Wheezing or hissing
Worms	Strong smelling, frothy or bubbly diarrhoea Eggs may have pale coloured yolk Increase in eating Weight loss The Chicken poo often gives you the best diagnosis
Botulism	Nervousness Restless Watch for signs of paralysis in the legs which moves onto the wings before the neck Final stage results in sudden death
Fowl Cholera	Chronic localised swelling in the eyes joints, feet pads and also the throat Very high mortality rate if not treated promptly
Infectious Bronchitis	Breathing distress such as gasping nasal discharge, coughing, as well as wheezing Laying hens can show a reduced egg output Shells may be odd shaped. Also they can be different than their normal colour
(Sour Crop) Thrush	Seems more quite than usual Slow or stunted growth Poor appetite May have diarrhoea Drowsy or sleepy
Air Sac disease	A respiratory disease in one or more of the air sacs Causes inflammation in the air sac Tail bobbing coughing breathing difficulty
Splay Leg	generally occurs in baby newly hatched chicks Caused by injury or a weakness in the tendons in the feet or legs May be present in one or both legs Obvious deformation of leg
Chicken Respiratory Disease (CRD)	Sneezing Coughing Wheezing or laboured breathing Discharge from the nostrils and/or eyes Swelling around the eyes and/or beak Poor comb or wattle colour Decreased appetite Lethargy Loss of condition Reduced egg production

The list above are the main diseases which affect chickens. Our blog has a wealth of information for backyard chicken keepers to help keep their ladies in fine form. To find more interesting related articles please visit our Main Chicken Health Blog Articles for advice, tips, tricks and more.