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Chicken Help

We found 97 results for category 'Chicken Health'

Q: Is Salmonella a concern with backyard chickens?

A: Not usually, but let us explain why. Humans do not catch salmonella from chicks or chickens the way you would catch a cold from your neighbor.... read more

Q: Should I get my birds vaccinated?

A: Marek's disease is a deadly, highly contagious "lymphoproliferative" disease affecting chickens. It is the #1 disease-related killer of chickens. It... read more

Q: There's a black spot or thin string attached to my brand new chick's rear. Is this a "pasty butt"?

A: No! It's your chick's umbilical cord, and if you notice, that black, scabby spot or string will be below your check's vent or "pooper." read more

Q: There is a black spot on my chicken's face! Should I be worried?

A: When a chicken gets a peck or a scrape on a comb or face, this will manifest as a black spot or scab, and isn't usually a cause for concern. If ALL... read more

Q: How do I care for a wounded chicken?

A: It is stressful to have a hurt chicken because an avian veterinarian can be hard to find, but don't panic. If you can't locate a vet, simple first... read more

Q: Do I need to give my shipped chicks vitamins and electrolytes when they arrive?

We don't generally think it is a good idea to offer anything but plain, clean water unless your chicks are exceedingly stressed.

read more

Q: What is medicated feed all about--do I need it?

A: Medicated feed is formulated for chicks to help them combat coccidiosis, a disease that is found just about everywhere in the environment. Most... read more

Q: Why don't you offer vaccinations for bantams?

A: The reason we don't offer vaccinations for bantams is that the vaccine is often ineffective for them because the birds are so tiny that it is too... read more

Q: Are you a member of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)?

A: Yes! Our hatching facility and all other breeders with whom we contract are NPIP-certified. If you would like NPIP papers to be included with your... read more

Q: What are the signs of mites or lice and how do I treat my birds if they have an infestation?

A: Mites and lice are a common problem for chickens and can be carried in by wild birds, so keep that in mind. That means that if you have an... read more

Q: What are the rough patches and hard pimples on my egg shells?

A: This is usually an occasional thing, although younger or older hens are more prone to it. If your chicken is young, sometimes rough shells can occur... read more

Q: Why does my hen sometimes lay eggs with ridges halfway down the shell?

A: You may be describing what is called a "body checked egg." Body checks are ridges or grooves that occur around an egg, usually at the pointed end.... read more

Q: What is the blood spot in my hen's egg?

A: These spots aren't related to having a rooster--or not!--in your flock. Presuming they are fertile, eggs with blood or meat spots are actually less... read more

Q: Why did my chicken lay a shell-less egg?

A: A shell-less egg is a strange sight! You might think a shell-less egg would look like a cracked egg: a mess of white and yolk soaking into nesting... read more

Q: My chicken has a lump or tumor on her chest--what should I do?

A: You are probably seeing your chicken's crop. A chicken's crop is a part of her digestive system, and is located on her breast. You see it in the... read more

Q: My flock is pecking one another! What should I do?

A: Pecking, also called picking, is almost always the result of high stress levels. When that happens, the birds will sometimes pluck each others'... read more

Q: Do my chickens need to be wormed, and if so, what schedule should I use?

A: If your chickens have worms, you will want to treat them. Some signs you can look for at home are pale combs, a drop in laying and watery poo.... read more

Q: My hen has sticky, tar-looking poop--is there anything wrong?

A: Probably not. Chickens actually produce two types of poo: fecal poo and cecal poo. Cecal poo is thicker, stinkier and stickier. It usually looks sort... read more

Q: What if one of my chicks dies on the way to me?

A: Losses are rare (we see them happen about 1% of the time), but they do occur. For that reason, we recommend that if you have children, make sure they... read more

Q: Are there any concerns I should have when keeping or caring for chickens while pregnant?

A: You will want to take the same kinds of precautions you would take with any pets: wash your hands after handling them and so forth. Avian and human... read more

Q: Do I need to be worried about bird flu if I keep chickens?

A: Probably not worried--but it's a good idea to be informed about it.

Bird flu, or Avian Influenza (AI), is a viral disease that can infect... read more

Q: What biosecurity should I practice to protect my flock from AI and other illnesses?

A: Good question! Most illnesses or even infestations (such as mites or worms) are contracted when your birds are exposed to other birds, either... read more

Q: Are there symptoms I should watch for that mean my birds are seriously ill? If they do get seriously ill, whom should I call?

A: Yes, as a pet owner, you are responsible for keeping your pet chickens safe and healthy, so it's important that you watch to make sure they don't get... read more

Q: What is the Biosecurity for Birds campaign and how can I find more information about it?

A: Biosecurity for Birds is a public awareness campaign started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in... read more

Q: How can I tell if my flock is infected with Salmonella? What are the symptoms?

A: While you won't be able to make a firm diagnosis of Salmonella on your own, it will be easy for you to see that your hens are sick. Chickens sick... read more

Q: How is Salmonella infection transmitted to chickens in the first place?

A: You probably don't have to worry about well cared for backyard hens catching salmonella if you provide a clean environment for them. Hens in factory... read more

Q: What can I do to reduce the risk of my birds getting sick with Salmonella or another illness?

A: The easiest thing to do is simply to provide your birds with safe, roomy, clean conditions. read more

Q: How do I know which chickens feeds have hormones and which are hormone-free?

A: There are no hormones in any brand of commercial chicken feed in the United States, according to the US Cooperative Extension Service. We think that... read more

Q: Should I be concerned that my hen laid an egg with blood on the shell?

A: When a hen has just begin laying, there can occasionally be a little blood on the egg shell, but it is usually no cause for concern. Eventually her... read more

Q: What can my chicken's comb tell me about his or her health?

A: A chicken's comb can be indicative of her circulation and condition. For instance pale pink, shrunken combs may indicate anemia, a mite infestation... read more

Q: Today I noticed that the tip of one hen's beak has broken off--how can this happen and what should I do?

A: This can occasionally happen, although it is rare. A chicken's beak will continue to grow throughout her lifetime, so as long as it is just the tip,... read more

Q: Will my lawn be safe for my pet chickens at the same time it's safe for dogs or cats, after the exterminator has sprayed it?

A: Well, having your lawn sprayed with pesticides while you are keeping chickens isn't a good idea---it isn't something most of us would ever want to... read more

Q: Why is my chick's beak getting crooked, and what should I do?

A: Usually, chickens with crossed beaks or scissor beaks lead long, normal lives.

In most cases, this defect is caused by the chick... read more

Q: How do I dispose of a dead chick or chicken?

A: This is a difficult question to answer definitively, since what to do with a dead pet or animal can vary depending on your your state, city and even... read more

Q: I got Marek's vaccinations for my chicks from another hatchery, but they got sick and some died within two weeks. When I asked them if it was Marek's disease, they just denied it and asked about whether their brooder was set up right. Is this Marek's... am I right to be upset?

A: You're not wrong to be upset at the loss of your pets, of course, but if you're upset at your hatchery for suggesting that deaths weren't related to... read more

Q: Are oversized eggs that are difficult for my hens to pass caused by overfeeding?

A: It is not likely that the problem is overfeeding. We recommend feeding free choice and not limiting their feed: underfeeding usually causes more... read more

Q: I got the Marek's vaccination for my chickens, but one chicken seems sick! Is the vaccination not working?

A: If your chicken received the Marek's vaccination, she will most likely be protected from the symptoms of Marek's disease, but a small percentage of... read more

Q: Why does my chicken have a bare spot on her chest? She's not molting!

A: If she's not molting, isn't getting picked on and isn't suffering from external parasites like mites or lice, it's possible that the bare spot on her... read more

Q: Will ticks attack our chickens? We find ticks on our dogs.

A: Probably not. Chickens actually eat deer ticks, wood ticks, and dog ticks (as well as other types), and these are the most common ticks that bother... read more

Q: Is wry neck a genetic weakness that I should be worried about seeing in my chickens' offspring?

A: If you have a hen with wry neck, it is probably not a genetic problem... but read on, because the problem with answering that question definitively... read more

Q: Should I order extra chickens so enough survive into adulthood?

A: Normally you want to order the number of chickens you want to end up with---don't order extras with the expectation that some will die. But there are... read more

Q: If one of my chickens was recently diagnosed and treated for bumblefoot, do I need to worry about my other chickens catching it?

A: We're sorry if your flock is having problems with bumblefoot! The more technical name for this problem is ulcerative pododermatitis, but most people,... read more

Q: Why does my 12 week old rooster have trouble keepoing his balance? He otherwise seems healthy with nice, shiny feathers and bright, alert eyes. Any idea what his problem is?

A: That's a tough one. A problem like this could be caused by many things.

Keep in mind that something like this may end up being nothing... read more

Q: Why do the fresh eggs from one of our hens always have a strange, unpleasant fishy smell?

If this is the only symptom you're seeing, she's probably not sick. (If she does show other signs of illness you will want to take her to a... read more

Q: Is your breeder stock vaccinated for Marek's Disease?

A: Yes, we do vaccinate our parent stock.

read more

Q: How do I help a chick that isn't eating or drinking?

Well, first remember that if you hatched these babies at home, chicks don't actually need to eat or drink for the first two or three... read more

Q: My hen was vaccinated for Marek's disease as a chick, but I still lost her to this illness. How could this have happened?

A: Marek’s disease is very common and will eventually end up in most backyard flocks, whether or not the flocks have been vaccinated. It's strange but... read more

Q: My chicken cannot walk. Does she have Marek’s disease?

A: Lameness is a very common symptom of Mareks’ disease, but there are many other conditions that can also cause paralysis or lameness in your chicken. ... read more

Q: I plan on vaccinating my chickens – is there anything else I can do to prevent my flock from getting Marek’s disease?

A: In order to prevent the symptoms of Marek’s disease from affecting your flock, we highly recommend getting your baby chicks vaccinated at hatch.... read more

Q: Coccidiosis Overview

A: Coccidiosis Also called
Cocci

Prevalence-
Very common

Signs
General signs... read more

Q: Spraddle leg overview

A: Spraddle leg Also called
Splay leg

Prevalence-
Common

Signs
General signs... read more

Q: Crossed beak overview

A: Crossed beak
Also called
Cross beak, scissor beak, scissors beak, crooked beak, lateral beak... read more

Q: Coryza Overview

A: Coryza Also called
Cold, Infectious Coryza, IC, Roup

Prevalence-
Common

Signs
... read more

Q: Mycoplasma gallisepticum Overview

A: Mycoplasma gallisepticum Also called
MG, Chronic Respiratory Disease, Infectious sinusitis (in turkeys)

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Avian Encephalomyelitis Overview

A: Avian encephalomyelitis Also called
AE, epidemic tremor, New England Disease, Star-gazing Syndrome

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Heart Attack Overview

A: Heart attack Also called
Sudden Death Syndrome, SDS, acute death syndrome, flip-over disease, acute heart... read more

Q: Omphalitis overview

A: Omphalitis Also called
Navel infection, mushy chick, yolk sac infection

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Pullorum Overview

A: Pullorum Disease Also called
PD, Bacillary White Diarrhea, BWD, White Diarrhea

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Pasted Vent Overview

A: Pasted Vent Also called
Pasting, vent gleet, pasty butt

Prevalence-
Very common in chicks. Not common in adult... read more

Q: Egg Binding Overview

A: Egg binding Also called
Eggbound hen, stuck egg, bound egg, obstructed vent

Prevalence-
Common in some breeds... read more

Q: Vent prolapse overview

A: Vent Prolapse Also called
Blowout

Prevalence-
Common in some breeds and crosses, especially those prone to... read more

Q: Egg Yolk Peritonitis Overview

A: Egg Yolk Peritonitis Also called
Yolk peritonitis, yolk stroke, abdominal sepsis, abdominal septicemia

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Aspergillosis Overview

A: Aspergillosis Also called
Pneumonia, coop or brooder pneumonia, mycotic pneumonia, pneumomycosis

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Botulism Overview

A: Botulism Also called
Food poisoning

Prevalence-
Infrequent

Signs
General signs... read more

Q: VVD Overview

A: VVD Also called
Varus/Valgus Deformity, Twisted leg, Crooked leg

Prevalence-
Rare in home flocks; common in... read more

Q: Myiasis Overview

A: Myiasis Also called
Flystrike, fly blown

Prevalence-
Infrequent. It is more common in other animals such as... read more

Q: Lymphoid Leucosis Overview

A: Lymphoid Leucosis Also called
Liver cancer, Liver disease, LL

Prevalence-
Common

Signs
... read more

Q: Salmonella (general) - Overview

A: Salmonella (general) Also called
Various types of Salmonella infection include Pullorum, Typhoid, Paratyphoid, Arizonosis,... read more

Q: Are there any special secrets to help my chickens stay warm in the winter?

Secrets? No. Tricks? A few, maybe.

First of all, take a few moments to review read more

Q: Will a broody hen starve herself to death on the nest?

A: 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

Q: Ascites Overview

A: Ascites Also called
Pulmonary hypertension syndrome, waterbelly, fluid retained in abdomen

Prevalence-... read more

Q: My chick's toes are all curled up--what's wrong with her?

A: Sometimes a chick will develop or hatch with a condition called curled toes or curly toes in one or both feet.

read more

Q: How long do I have to keep my chicken quarantined after treating for an illness or infection?

A: 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

Q: What is wry tail?

A: 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

Q: What is regular chicken body temperature?

A: 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

Q: What is a wormer?

A: 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

Q: What is NPIP and why should I purchase only from NPIP breeders?

A: NPIP stands for National Poultry Improvement Plan, and it's a voluntary certification system that poultry breeders and hatcheries can participate in.... read more

Q: Avian Infectious Bronchitis Overview

A: Avian Infectious Bronchitis Also called
IB, IBV, Infectious Bronchitis, Cold

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Domestic Newcastle Overview

A: Domestic Newcastle Also called
Newcastle Disease, Avian Distemper, Pseudofowl, ND, Parainfluenza, Fake Flu... read more

Q: Exotic Newcastle Overview

A: Exotic Newcastle Also called
Pseudo-plague, Asiatic Newcastle, VVND, NVND, Velogenic Newcastle, VN,... read more

Q: What is quarantine and when should I use quarantine in my flock?

A: 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

Q: Can bed bugs bother my chickens?

A: 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

Q: Salpingitis Overview

A: Salpingitis
Also called
Inflammation of the oviduct, infection of the oviduct

Prevalence-... read more

Q: What is a lash egg?

A: 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

Q: 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?

A: 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

Q: Infectious Laryngotracheitis Overview

A: Infectious Larygotracheitis Also called
Avian Diphtheria, Laryngo, ILT

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Fowl Pox (Wet) Overview

A: Fowl Pox (Wet) Also called
Fowl Diphtheria, diphtheritic pox, ILT

Prevalence-
Common, but less so than Dry... read more

Q: Fowl Pox (Dry) Overview

A: Fowl Pox (Dry) Also called
Fowl pox, sore head, cutaneous pox, dry pox

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Infectious Synovitis Overview

A: Infectious Synovitis Also called
Mycoplasmosis (one form), MS, big hock disease, enlarged hocks,

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Mycotoxicosis Overview

A: Mycotoxicosis Also called
Aflatoxicosis, Aflatoxicosis, Ergotism, Fusariotoxicosis, Oosporein Mycotoxicosis, other mycotoxicoses... read more

Q: Nutritional Myopathy Overview

A: Nutritional Myopathy Also called
White muscle disease, Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy

Prevalence-... read more

Q: Perosis Overview

A: Perosis Also called
Slipped tendon, chondrodystrophy

Prevalence-
Uncommon in layers, common in heavy, fast... read more

Q: Polyneuritis Overview

A: Polyneuritis Also called
Star gazing, Thiamine deficiency

Prevalence-
Uncommon, particularly so in backyard... read more

Q: Encephalomalacia Overview

A: Encephalomalacia Also called
Crazy chick disease

Prevalence-
Rare, particularly so in backyard flocks with... read more

Q: Marek's Disease Overview

A: Marek's Disease Also called
Neurolymphomatosis, MD, range paralysis, grey eye, Marek's, uveitis, neutitis, pseudobotulism, false... read more

Q: Infectious Bursal Disease Overview