As the days become shorter and the weather starts to cool, autumn is the perfect time to give your flock a thorough health check. A few simple inspections now can help you spot potential problems early and prepare your chickens for the colder months ahead.

Many common health issues can be managed more successfully when identified early, so making regular health checks part of your routine is one of the best things you can do for your flock.

Here’s what every backyard chicken keeper should inspect this autumn.

1. Check Your Chickens' Body Condition 

Start by observing each bird individually. Are they bright, alert, and behaving normally? Have they maintained a healthy weight?

Weight loss can sometimes be difficult to spot beneath feathers, so gently handling your chickens and checking their body condition is worthwhile. If you notice a bird becoming noticeably thinner or weaker, it may indicate an underlying health problem.

The Chicken Vet’s Symptom Checker can help guide you through common symptoms and advise on possible next steps. If your chicken appears unwell or continues to lose weight, contact your local chicken-friendly vet for advice. You can use the Chicken Vet Vet Finder to find a practice local to you.

2. Inspect Their Feathers and Skin

Healthy feathers help chickens stay warm as temperatures begin to fall.

Take a few moments to examine your birds for:

  • Missing feathers
  • Broken feathers
  • Damaged skin
  • Signs of external parasites

Feather loss can occur naturally, but it can also be associated with parasites or feather pecking. Autumn is an ideal time to inspect birds thoroughly and investigate any unusual feather loss before winter arrives.

3. Look for Signs of Mites and Lice

External parasites don’t disappear when summer ends.

Red mites, northern fowl mites, scaly leg mites and lice can all affect backyard chickens, so autumn is an excellent opportunity to inspect both your birds and coop.

Pay particular attention to:

  • Around the vent
  • Under the wings
  • Around the legs and feet

Cracks and crevices inside the coop

4. Keep an Eye on Droppings 

Your chickens’ droppings can provide valuable clues about their health.

Healthy chickens normally produce firm droppings with a white cap, alongside one or two softer caecal droppings each day.

Persistent loose or watery droppings may indicate an upset gut flora, worms, feeding issues or intestinal disease.

Supporting digestive health can be beneficial where gut flora have been disrupted. Beryl’s Friendly Bacteria supports your chicken’s digestive health naturally. The vet-approved supplement has been designed to support your flock during times of stress, recovery, or digestive upset.

If droppings continue or your bird becomes lethargic, seek advice from a chicken-friendly veterinary practice.

5. Don't Forget Worm Control 

Autumn is a good time to review your worm control programme.

To check whether your flock have worms, use a worm egg testing kit. This will identify whether worm eggs are present. 

6. Inspect the Coop

Healthy chickens need a healthy environment.

Before winter arrives, inspect your coop for:

  • Damp bedding
  • Areas that are difficult to clean
  • Dirty feeders and drinkers
  • Places where parasites may hide

Regular cleaning and disinfection help reduce the build-up of bacteria and create a healthier environment for your flock.

Using Chicken Vet Poultry Detergent and Disinfectant, Interkokask RTU, and Stalosan F® as part of your cleaning programme will help keep your coop clean, dry and hygienic.

7. Review Nutrition and Fresh Water 

As the seasons change, maintaining good nutrition remains essential.

Always provide:

  • Fresh feed
  • Clean drinking water
  • Feed that is within its use-by date
  • Clean feeder and drinkers

The Chicken Vet Multivitamins provide nutritional support during periods of poor condition, decreased appetite and other times of challenge. Containing a carefully balanced blend of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, together with essential oils, natural prebiotics, fibres and antioxidants.

Know When to Ask for Help

Regular health checks allow you to become more familiar with what is normal for your flock, making it much easier to spot when something changes.

If you notice persistent weight loss, respiratory signs, abnormal droppings, lameness, unusual lumps, feather loss or any other signs that concern you, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Contact your local chicken-friendly vet if you have any concerns about your chicken's health.