Common Chicken Illnesses: Everything You Need to Know

While keeping chickens is such an enjoyable experience, there’s always the possibility of being faced with a sick chicken and not knowing what to do about it. However, you can feel a little more at ease if you know what the most common chicken illnesses are and what symptoms to look for.

Let’s take a look at chicken illnesses, symptoms, and treatments. We’ll also share some home remedies, too.

The Most Common Chicken Illnesses

Most commonly, we see chickens suffer from viral or respiratory diseases. Symptoms vary and vaccines can prevent some of these illnesses. Learn more about chicken vaccines here! While some chicken illnesses don’t have any preventions, they do have treatments.

Marek’s Disease

Marek’s Disease can affect older chickens, but it’s typically seen in younger chicks. This is one of the more common chicken diseases and can easily spread from bird to bird.

You’ll notice a gray color in your chick’s eye as a symptom. Its wings, legs, and neck may also become paralyzed.

While Marek’s Disease can quickly affect a bird and potentially be life-threatening, there is a vaccine against the disease. You can vaccinate your chick against Marek’s Disease as early as a day old.

Avian Pox or Fowl Pox

A slow-spreading viral disease, Avian Pox can affect any age of chicken. It’s caused by a virus that has multiple strains, one of which is the common fowlpox virus. The virus is often carried by mosquitoes.

If your chicken has Avian Pox, you’ll notice wart-like lesions on areas without feathers like their eyelids and feet. You may also see ulcers in your bird’s mouth.

The good news is that chickens often recover naturally from Avian or Fowl Pox with a balanced diet and hydration. Sometimes a vet may recommend medication. A vaccine can also prevent the illness.

Infectious Bronchitis

It’s believed that Infectious Bronchitis is the most contagious chicken disease. It’s a respiratory disease that’s spread through the air.

Symptoms of Infectious Bronchitis include difficulty breathing, gasping for air, and sneezing. You may also notice coughing, a wheezing sound, and nasal drip.

Fortunately, Infectious Bronchitis can be prevented with a vaccine. The disease isn’t usually deadly and your chicken can recover on its own. A warm, dry place to rest is most effective in faster recovery.  

Infectious Coryza

Infectious Coryza is another respiratory disease that usually affects older or adult birds. It’s transmitted through direct contact or the air. This disease isn’t as common as Infectious Bronchitis.

If your chicken contracts Infectious Coryza, you may notice swelling around the face and a runny nose. This inflammation can affect your chick’s eyesight and result in them swelling shut.

Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine to prevent Infectious Coryza. Once a chicken carries the disease, they are a permanent carrier. 

Botulism

Botulism is a disease that’s contracted by ingesting food that contains a toxin from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This bacterium is often found in nature, specifically soil. Oftentimes, chickens are infected after coming in contact with dead animals.

If your chicken is suffering from Botulism, you’ll notice that its legs, wings, and neck appear to be weak. They may also tremble and begin to lose feathers.

The best way to prevent Botulism is to keep your chicken’s coop and run clean of potential sources including decaying material and dirty water. You can also debeak your chicken. 

If your chicken is already infected, separate it from your other birds and provide it with fresh water and a cool, shady area. Providing Epsom salts mixed with warm water to your chicken can also relieve symptoms.

Fowl Cholera

Fowl Cholera is a bacterial disease that a chicken can contract from a wild animal or from contaminated food or water. It usually affects chickens that are more than four months old. 

Unfortunately, some chickens can suffer from Fowl Cholera without ever showing symptoms. Meanwhile, some may show symptoms including loss of appetite, weight loss, trouble breathing, and diarrhea. 

While some medications such as Penicillin can help, there’s no real treatment. There’s also no vaccination for prevention. A chicken that carries Fowl Cholera once will always be a carrier.

Newcastle Disease

There are several strains of Newcastle Disease. Contaminated objects such as clothes and other birds can transmit this contagious viral infection.

The symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases. These include trouble breathing, nasal discharge, and cloudy eyes. Chickens with Newcastle Disease will also stop laying eggs. 

There’s a vaccine available to prevent Newcastle Disease. However, if your chick becomes infected, they typically recover fairly quickly and won’t be a carrier for life as with other common chicken illnesses. Antibiotics can also help alleviate symptoms.

How to Keep Your Chickens Healthy

While some common chicken illnesses are unavoidable, you can prevent many of them by doing the following.

• Before bringing your chickens home, speak with your local veterinarian to learn the best food, care, and environment needed for your chickens.
• Make sure you have an enclosed coop for your chickens that can keep away other animals that could transmit illnesses.
• Regularly clean the coop and run to rid of any germs and possible contaminants. 
• Provide fresh, clean water and food for your chickens.

To learn more about basic chicken care, check out this article.

Home Remedies for Sick Chicken

While there are several natural remedies for sick chicken symptoms, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian when treating an ill chicken.

Let’s check out some common home remedies for sick chickens. 

• Consistently provide a well-balanced diet and fresh water to maintain overall health.
• Give Epsom salts mixed with water to treat diarrhea.
• Add Flaxseed and turmeric to food to reduce inflammation.
• Add apple cider vinegar to water to help get rid of internal parasites. Always provide clean water, also
• Warm, dry spaces can help with respiratory issues.

In Conclusion

The more you know about common chicken illnesses, the easier it is to prevent and/or treat them. The most important thing you can do is ensure you prepare a safe and clean environment for your chickens and keep an eye out for their health. 

Having a chicken first-aid kit can be helpful for many chicken ailments. Check out this article to make sure you have a well-supplied first-aid kit!