Chicken Health For Dummies
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Some of the problems that backyard chicken flock keepers most frequently see in their hens are respiratory illness, feather loss, and strange eggs. The following contains some common causes for some chicken ailments. Other things could be responsible for the signs you’re seeing, but they’re less likely to be the culprits than the causes listed in the table. A veterinary diagnostic laboratory or a veterinarian who’s willing to see chickens can help you sort it out.

Problem Signs Common Cause Possible Actions
Respiratory illness Sneezing, coughing, gasping, swollen face Mycoplasmosis (MG), infectious coryza, infectious bronchitis Isolate sick birds from the rest of the flock
Feather loss All over Normal molt or louse infestation Examine feather shafts for lice
Head, neck, and shoulders Feather pecking from flock mates, poking head through wire fence Observe flock for signs of feather pecking behavior
Hen’s back Attention from the rooster Provide hens with protective cloth saddles
Vent area Feather pecking from flock mates Provide toys and veggie scraps to keep the flock busy
Strange eggs Thin shells Old hen, hot weather, or lack of calcium in diet Keep hens cool, provide oyster shell for the hens to eat
Soft or no shells A scare or a stressful event, or an infection of the oviduct Handle hens quietly and gently. Make their living quarters safe from predators.
Blood-stained shells Young hen, underweight hen, or vent pecking by flock mates Feed good quality layer diet. Place nest boxes no more than 18 inches off the ground.
Weird-shaped shells: ridges, chalky coating, lumps, and so on Stress, rough handling, too few nest boxes, or oviduct infection Provide more nest boxes. Handle hens quietly and gently.

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Julie Gauthier is board certified in veterinary preventive medicine. Rob Ludlow is the coauthor of Raising Chickens For Dummies and Building Chicken Coops For Dummies. He runs the leading chicken information resource on the web, www.BackYardChickens.com.

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