Many problems with the digestion system are a result of beneficial microflora being out of balance. When that happens, the digestive tract can be overrun with many foreign organisms and cause diarrhea which leads to dehydration and malnutrition. When a chick is born in nature, its digestive tract is sterile. So, chicks actually get this…
A chicken’s gizzard can get damaged by consuming sharp objects (glass chards, tacks, staples, nails, etc). Since chickens will peck at and consume just about anything, it’s important to keep their chicken coop and foraging area free from sharp objects. Sharp objects can get stuck in the gizzard. The gizzard, with its strong grinding action,…
The crop can become impacted known as crop impaction, crop binding or pendulous crop. The result of crop impaction is that the food cannot get past the crop which means it never reaches the small intestine where it is turned from feed to useful nutrients. If you are free ranging your chickens in pasture settings,…
Before we can diagnose “abnormal” chicken droppings, we need to know what normal droppings are! Normal droppings are dark brown, mostly solid (not runny), and often covered in white “powder” which is uric acid from the urinary system (since chickens don’t urinate). Do not confuse normal droppings with ceca droppings. Ceca droppings are mustard to…
Parasitic worms can infect your chickens by ingestion of a parasite egg. At risk: Chickens raised in outdoor environments that are infested by eating things on the ground Chickens raised in cages that are infested by eating flying insects Symptoms: Weight loss Weakness or droopiness Diarrhea Gasping, coughing or shaking of the head Death Cause:…
Mites are commonly contracted by chickens coming into contact with other animals that carry them. At risk: All chickens Symptoms: Tiny red or black spots on a chickens body Tiny specs moving on eggs or in a nest Leg scales that protrude out causing birds to walk with stiff legs Tiny eggs grouped together at…
Egg Binding can occur if two eggs are present in the oviduct at the same time. At risk: All hens that lay eggs Symptoms: Hen may appear to struggle while trying to lay an egg Egg may be visible at her vent but not coming out You may be able to feel an egg with…
Pasting Up usually occurs in chicks that have loose or watery droppings. At risk: Chicks that have loose or watery droppings Symptoms: Hardened droppings accumulate around the vent area Eventually chick is unable to eliminate fecal matter May be coupled with chicks dying in the case of disease Cause: Probably nothing to worry about If…
Coccidiosis can be avoided by providing a dry sanitary environment for chicks, feeding them medicated starter, and inoculation. At risk: Chicks Can effect mature chickens, but is much less likely as birds mature Symptoms: Loose, watery and/or bloody droppings Lack of energy Reduction in egg production Death Cause: Exposure to coccidia, which is found in…
Sometimes even the best kept chickens get sick. In order to help your sick friends get better and to prevent more sick chickens it’s important to talk about the signs of illness you should look out for. Here are a few signs of illness that you should look for: Inactivity, weakness or excessive laziness Loss…