Secrets? No. Tricks? A few, maybe.
First of all, take a few moments to review read more
Will a broody hen starve herself to death on the nest?
It's unlikely she'll starve, but even so, it's not unheard of for a hen to die on the nest. Remember, even when they're broody, they do get off the... read more
All about Ascites disease
If your bird has a large, reddish, swollen belly and but otherwise looks bluish, along with having respiratory issues like a cough, it's possible she... read more
My chick's toes are all curled up--what's wrong with her?
Sometimes a chick will develop or hatch with a condition called curled toes or curly toes in one or both feet.
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How long do I have to keep my chicken quarantined after treating for an illness or infection?
There is not a single answer to that question--it will depend on what your bird has been treated for. For instance, once you've treated for mites and... read more
What is wry tail?
A chicken whose tail always twists to one side has "wry tail." This is a condition that is exactly what it sounds like: your chicken's tail is held... read more
What is regular chicken body temperature?
Chickens have a much higher body temperature than humans do. Normal chicken body temperature ranges from about 105 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Just as... read more
What is the difference between different types of chicken feeds like starter, grower, finisher, layer, and developer?
Starter, grower, finisher, layer, and developer are all considered "complete feeds" to offer your chickens, but they come in different... read more
What is a wormer?
A "wormer" is a medication used to help rid your chickens of infestations of internal parasites like round worms or other worms, the same way you... read more
What is NPIP and why should I purchase only from NPIP breeders?
NPIP stands for National Poultry Improvement Plan, and it's a voluntary certification system that poultry breeders and hatcheries can participate in.... read more
All about Avian Infectious Bronchitis disease
Avian Infectious Bronchitis is a respiratory illness that results in death in about 5% of the birds that contract it, and may cause a permanent... read more
All about Domestic Newcastle disease
Domestic Newcastle
Also called
Newcastle Disease, Avian Distemper, Pseudofowl, ND, Parainfluenza, Fake Flu... read more
All about Virulent Newcastle Disease
Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) is no joke. It is easily spread among birds (wild and domestic), and once it is contracted, even birds that survive... read more
What is quarantine and when should I quarantine my flock?
In your backyard flock, quarantine is the act of isolating a chicken or chickens who has been potentially or actually exposed to contagious illness... read more
Can bed bugs bother my chickens?
Ew, yuck! But yes: just as bed bugs can feed on dogs and cats, they can feed on chickens, too. It's a particular problem with chickens in factory... read more
All about Salpingitis disease
If your hen lays a read more
What is a lash egg?
A lash egg is less of an egg than it is a roughly egg- or sausage-shaped exudate, consisting of thickened pus and other materials. It is probably read more
Will my lawn be safe for my pet chickens at the same time it's safe for dogs or cats, after I've had it treated?
No, even if the lawn treatment may be safe for dogs and cats, it won't necessarily be safe for your pet chickens. Remember, dogs and cats are not... read more
All about Infectious Laryngotracheitis disease
"Laryngotracheitis" simply means inflammation of the larynx and trachea--in this case caused by a highly-contagious virus. The virus cannot be spread... read more
All about Fowl Pox (Wet) disease
Imagine having chicken pox in your mouth and throat! Though the virus that causes wet fowl pox is different from the one that causes chicken pox in... read more
All about Fowl Pox (Dry) disease
Chickens with advanced stages of dry fowl pox look completely miserable (scroll down and you'll see some potentially upsetting pictures!), but... read more
All about Infectious Synovitis disease
Harmful bacteria are the cause of many chicken (and human) diseases. In the case of Infectious Synovitis, the most recognizable sign of the disease... read more
All about Mycotoxicosis disease
When feed gets wet, it can grow mold or other fungi that can produce toxins that are dangerous or even deadly for chickens. When a bird ingests those... read more
All about Nutritional Myopathy disease
Nutritional Myopathy--which can cause chickens to have muscular degeneration or slowed growth--is caused by a lack of vitamin E, along with a... read more
All about Perosis disease
Perosis is a nutritional deficiency that can cause swollen, twisted, broken, or bowed legs, or loss of color in feathers, the comb, or the roof of... read more
All about Polyneuritis disease
If one of your bird's neck muscles seems to have "frozen" in a position that leaves them staring at the sky, it's possible they have polyneuritis, or... read more
All about Encephalomalacia disease
Unlike most diseases, Encephalomalacia (try saying that three times quickly!), is not caused by a virus, bacterium, or fungus. Also known as "crazy... read more
All about Marek's Disease
Marek's disease is a dreaded illness that can be contracted by chickens nearly anywhere in the world. It is almost always fatal, and even birds that... read more
All about Infectious Bursal Disease
It's always a good idea for chicks to have a lot of protein in their diet, right? Not necessarily! Infectious Bursal Disease is more prevalent in... read more
All about Blackhead disease
Blackhead disease isn't likely to actually turn your chickens' heads black (thankfully!). In fact, it is much more likely to affect turkeys (wild or... read more
All about Fowl Spirochetosis (Borrelia) disease
Spirochetosis is a tick-born bacterial disease that is rare in the United States (thankfully!). Spirochetosis can be caused by the Brachyspira or the... read more
All about Fowl Spirochetosis (Brachyspira) disease
Giving your flock plenty of space and a clean, dry, coop and run area with little stress is more than just a luxury for your birds; it's also a great... read more
How do I train my chickens to drink from nipples?
Many chicken keepers prefer nipple drinkers over conventional style drinkers for reasons of convenience and cleanliness. read more
All about Airsacculitis disease
Airsacculitis--or inflammation of the air sac--can be caused by many different bacteria and will present symptoms in chickens that look something... read more
How do I find an avian veterinarian?
It's always a good idea to seek out an avian veterinarian BEFORE you get chickens, so you'll know where to turn in case of any emergency or health... read more
Chicken illnesses with neurological symptoms (overview)
When your chicken is showing neurological symptoms, there are a number of chicken illnesses that could be causing the problem. We know how worrisome... read more
All about Avian Influenza disease
The idea of "Bird Flu" (Avian Influenza) may strike fear in the minds of many chicken keepers because of past outbreaks in Asia. When fear is... read more
Chicken illnesses with respiratory symptoms (overview)
When your chicken is showing respiratory symptoms, there are a number of chicken illnesses that could be causing the problem. We know how worrisome... read more
Chick illnesses and issues (overview)
When you're worried your new baby chicks are ill, there are a number of things that could be responsible!
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What are "reportable diseases" when it comes to chickens?
Reportable diseases are chicken illnesses that are serious and communicable enough that in the U.S., you (and your vet) are required to report... read more
My chicken has frostbite. How do I help them?
Frostbite occurs when the body becomes very cold and sends a signal to constrict blood vessels in the extremities in order to direct more blood to... read more
How can I tell if my chicken has frostbite?
Frostbite occurs when the body becomes very cold and sends a signal to constrict blood vessels in the extremities in order to direct more blood to... read more
What is vent gleet and how can I treat my chickens that have it?
In baby chicks, read more
What are the best ways to prevent impacted crop, impacted gizzard, and sour crop in my chickens?
Impacted crop occurs when there is a blockage in your chicken's digestive tract, preventing food from traversing her system.
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Which chicken breeds may need extra heat in winter?
Chickens are incredibly adaptable! They are kept all over the world in all kinds of extreme climates. But it's no secret that some breeds are hardier... read more
When should I take my pet chicken to the vet?
As keepers of pet chickens, we've all been there. You notice one of your birds exhibiting some unusual behaviors or symptoms, and you're faced with a... read more
Can I get Coronavirus (COVID-19) from my chickens?
Here's what the CDC says about COVID-19, as of 4/15/20:
- In the United States, there is no...
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