What Are The Most Common Illness That Chickens Get?
Chickens are generally hardy animals, but they can still be affected by a range of illnesses. Recognizing the most common diseases and their symptoms is essential for keeping your flock healthy. Here are the most common illnesses chickens can get, along with their causes, symptoms, and prevention tips:
1. Respiratory Infections
• Common Diseases: Infectious Bronchitis, Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (Chronic Respiratory Disease), Avian Influenza.
• Symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, swollen eyes, difficulty breathing, reduced egg production.
• Causes: Poor ventilation, overcrowding, exposure to infected birds.
• Prevention: Provide proper ventilation, avoid overcrowding, and quarantine new birds.
2. Coccidiosis
• Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, decreased appetite, ruffled feathers.
• Causes: Protozoan parasites that thrive in warm, wet conditions.
• Prevention: Keep the coop dry and clean, use medicated starter feed for chicks, and rotate grazing areas.
3. Marek’s Disease
• Symptoms: Paralysis, weight loss, loss of coordination, tumors, vision problems (gray eye).
• Causes: Viral infection spread through feather dander and droppings.
• Prevention: Vaccinate chicks at one day old, maintain biosecurity measures to limit virus exposure.
4. Newcastle Disease
• Symptoms: Respiratory distress, twisted necks, tremors, reduced egg production, watery greenish diarrhea.
• Causes: Viral infection transmitted through direct contact or contaminated equipment.
• Prevention: Vaccinate chickens and practice strict hygiene.
5. Fowl Pox
• Symptoms: Wart-like lesions on combs, wattles, and around eyes (dry form); ulcers in the mouth and throat (wet form).
• Causes: Viral infection spread by mosquitoes or direct contact with infected birds.
• Prevention: Vaccinate birds and control mosquito populations.
6. Avian Influenza
• Symptoms: Sudden death, respiratory distress, swollen combs and wattles, reduced egg production, diarrhea.
• Causes: Viral infection transmitted by wild birds, contaminated feed, or water.
• Prevention: Avoid contact with wild birds, quarantine new chickens, and maintain strict biosecurity.
7. Infectious Coryza
• Symptoms: Swollen face, discharge from eyes and nostrils, foul odor, difficulty breathing.
• Causes: Bacterial infection spread through close contact with infected birds.
• Prevention: Quarantine sick birds, clean the coop regularly, and avoid overcrowding.
8. Bumblefoot
• Symptoms: Swollen, hot, and painful foot pads, limping or reluctance to walk.
• Causes: Bacterial infection caused by cuts or injuries to the foot.
• Prevention: Keep perches smooth, provide clean bedding, and treat injuries promptly.
9. Internal Parasites (Worms)
• Symptoms: Weight loss, pale combs, diarrhea, poor feather quality, reduced egg production.
• Causes: Roundworms, tapeworms, or cecal worms from contaminated soil or droppings.
• Prevention: Regular deworming, maintain clean living areas, and rotate grazing spaces.
10. External Parasites (Mites and Lice)
• Symptoms: Feather loss, excessive preening, scaly legs (from scaly leg mites), irritation, reduced egg production.
• Causes: Infestation by mites or lice living in feathers or bedding.
• Prevention: Dust bathing areas, use diatomaceous earth, and clean the coop frequently.
11. Egg-Laying Issues
• Common Conditions: Egg binding, prolapse, soft-shelled eggs.
• Symptoms: Straining, sitting for long periods, visible prolapse, soft or misshapen eggs.
• Causes: Calcium deficiency, poor diet, obesity, infections.
• Prevention: Provide a calcium-rich diet, offer oyster shells, and monitor laying hens closely.
12. Fowl Cholera
• Symptoms: Swollen wattles, discharge from nostrils, difficulty breathing, sudden death.
• Causes: Bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water, feed, or infected birds.
• Prevention: Keep water clean, practice good hygiene, and vaccinate in high-risk areas.
13. Salmonella (Pullorum Disease)
• Symptoms: Weakness, diarrhea, lethargy, stunted growth in chicks.
• Causes: Bacterial infection passed through contaminated water, feed, or infected hens to their chicks.
• Prevention: Maintain hygiene, avoid overcrowding, and monitor for infected birds.
14. Heat Stress
• Symptoms: Panting, lethargy, wings held away from the body, reduced egg production.
• Causes: High temperatures and humidity.
• Prevention: Provide shade, cool water, and good ventilation in the coop.
Conclusion
While chickens are generally resilient, their health can be compromised by various illnesses if not properly cared for. Regular health checks, a clean environment, a balanced diet, and timely vaccinations are essential for preventing and managing these common diseases. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can maintain a healthy and productive flock.