Symptom Checker
Our Symptom Checker (Healthcare Pathway) aims to inform, educate and guide owners through some of the most common ailments that affect chickens.
With yes or no answers, the pathway should lead you to the answer, such as recommending a treatment or you may be advised to seek further help from your own vet.
If your chickens are under the care of your own vet already and they advise the use of prescription medication, you can purchase it from your own vet, or you can request a prescription from your vet and contact The Chicken Vet via info@chickenvet.co.uk to request a quotation.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on the Symptom Checker, check out our Advice Hub which is bursting with health and disease information.
Start Symptom Checker
Choose one of the following options...
Chicks
Growing Chicks
Adult Birds
Choose one of the following options...
High early deaths
Lame chicks
Chicks failing to grow in the first three weeks
Do the dead chicks’ smell of rotten eggs?
No
Yes
Answer
Chicks may not have started well due to an incorrect environment to suit their needs.
Poor egg or incubator hygiene where bacteria has entered the egg.
Prolonged egg storage before incubation so chicks are not strong.
Parent stock problems (for this we would suggest Flubendazole and Poultry Multivitamins) such as old birds and disease such as mycoplasma which has vertical transmission (passes through the embryo).
Is clean fresh water available? If not, chicks may develop a bacterial infection.
Is fresh, in date chick crumb being fed? Chicks need the correct diet to thrive.
Regular batches of weak chicks will require veterinary investigation. Please contact your vet, or find your nearest ‘Chicken Friendly’ veterinary practice using our map and make contact to discuss the issue. The practice will advise if post mortems or other samples are required.
Answer
Probably yolk sac infection...
which means while the chick was developing in the egg, the yolk from which it obtains its nutrients became infected, resulting in an unthrifty chick. If you have several chicks left which look unwell, we suggest you contact your local vet for treatment or one of our Associated Practices.
If chicks die in the first 24 hours, then the problem could stem from dirty eggs in the incubators; if death happens on day three, then it could possibly be due to an infection after hatching. Review your hygiene (good hygiene products are Interkokask Conc., Interkokask RTU, Poultry Disinfectant and Dri Bed) with breeding stock, in the incubator and where you are brooding chicks.
Is there more than one chick involved?
No
Yes (severe)
Yes (mild)
I don't know
Answer
Check for fractured bones or obvious injury. If it is decided to attempt repairing injury then contact your local vet as emergency treatment might be needed. In most cases this route is too expensive to consider and humane destruction is often the best course of action to prevent suffering.
Answer
If the lameness is severe then there could be an infectious process involved in which case you may need a prescriptive treatment. Make an appointment to see your local vet or if you live near to an Associated Practice you can register as a client.
Answer
In this case there might be an issue with embryonic development or maternal disease. This will require veterinary involvement if the problem persists. In mild cases where there is no effect on the welfare of the bird, you might have a vitamin D deficiency. This can be the result of using out of date chick crumb or inappropriate feed for the age and species of the bird.
Answer
Ask your own vet for advice or register with one of our practices. It may be necessary to have the chicks looked at or some samples may need to be taken from the feed being used.
Are there any signs of diarrhoea – dirty vents, wet bedding, etc.?
No
Yes
Answer
Chicks being brooded without their mother need specific conditions to thrive
Chicks being brooded without their mother need specific conditions to thrive. They need to be free from draughts and have a warm area with soft bedding, preferably using quality wood shavings. The ambient temperature should be for the first few days about 33 ͦc with the heat (if using a heat lamp) not reading more than 42 ͦc directly underneath it. The chicks need to have space to move away from the heat is they wish. Clean water and fresh feed needs to be provided at all times. The area around the chicks must be clean and hygienic.
Answer
Possible coccidiosis infection.
It may be necessary to obtain a faeces sample for testing or treat for coccidiosis, this may require a prescription therefore we advise an appointment with your vet or if you live near enough to drive your chicken to one of our Associated Practices you can register with us.
Choose one of the following options...
Lame growing birds
Failure to grow
Answer
If the lameness is severe and causing distress then a decision needs to be made on the bird’s future as lameness in growing birds can cause pain. In most cases of severe lameness, a veterinary diagnosis will be needed by either taking a few affected birds to the vet or where birds have died as a likely result of the lameness. Post-mortems are advisable to reach a diagnosis so other birds can be potentially treated. Make an appointment with your local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices for an examination at one of the surgeries.
Is the food clean, readily available, of the correct type and being consumed at the right amount?
No
Yes
Answer
Supply your birds with the appropriate feed for their age. All ages of birds and species require a specific nutrient range to meet their needs. Alongside the feed clean, fresh drinking water must be available.
If the feed is not in date discard it and replace with new, fresh food. If the food is mouldy discard it and replace with new and fresh feed.
Clean (with products such as Poultry disinfectant, Interkokask, Interkokask RTU) your drinkers and feeders regularly to reduce and bacteria build up.
Answer
This is likely to be a problem which stemmed from the brooding phase, probably caused by an inadequate house environment. If the problem is not severe, consider the use of Poultry multivitamins and monitor weight changes.
Particularly small birds may need to be euthanized to prevent any welfare issues as larger birds may attack them. Post-mortems may wish to be carried out to check the issue was not caused by an infection.
If most of the group are affected by stunted growth;
It is likely if the majority of birds are involved and there could be a feed problem relating to quality and type or content of vitamins and minerals to suit the bird’s needs. Check your feeding regime.
It is also possible there is a more widespread disease problem and you should check for more clinical signs (lameness, scour, respiratory signs) if any of these are present then contact your local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices.
Choose one of the following options...
Losing weight
Gaining weight
Has a lump
Lameness
Abnormal feathers and skin
Abnormal eggs
Loose droppings
Respiratory signs
Are there any signs of disease?
No
Yes
I don't know
Answer
If you have not wormed your birds for a while, worming with Flubendazole and having a worm egg count would be a good plan. Use a Faeces Sampling Kit to take some samples and send off for testing to see if any worm eggs are present in the droppings. Make sure the bird(s) can get to food and water; sometimes bullying by others prevents them from feeding.
Choose one of the following options...
Loose droppings
Respiratory signs
Lameness
Has a lump
Abnormal feathers and skin
Answer
Chickens produce two main types of droppings on a daily basis; several firm grey/brown with a white top and usually two runny, often sticky light to dark brown droppings per day. The latter are from a fermentation process in the caeca, part of the intestinal tract and these runny droppings are completely normal.
There are however causes of producing lots of loose droppings including feed problems and intestinal disease. Our information on diarrhoea (link to health article on diarrhoea) will give you more information.
Key reasons for excessive loose droppings:
- Upset in gut flora this can be corrected using Beryl’s healthy gut bacteria for chickens
- Your bird has ceased eating therefore is only producing fluid from drinking, so the droppings are watery
- Worms can cause loose droppings so regular worming with Flubendazole or using a faeces worm egg kit to check the droppings will give you an idea of a worm burden.
- Infectious diseases causing a bacterial scour are not uncommon. In most cases treatment may be needed and you should contact your vet. In mild cases the use of acids and enzymes such as Biostop or Apple Cider Vinegar in the water can help
Always ensure feed is clean and provided fresh on a daily basis. Birds will eat a wide range of materials and small and occasional looseness is not a problem.
While your birds are experiencing loose droppings make sure the coop is kept clean and fresh using Dri-bed and poultry disinfectant.
If the condition continues and your birds become lethargic consult your vet or a Chicken Vet Associated Practice.
Answer
There are many infectious agents, both viral and bacterial which can cause a bird to cough. The bird has a unique air sac system which allows air to penetrate into long bones and the abdomen.
Low level infections in the upper respiratory tract can lead to invasion with bacteria deep into the bird which is life threatening. You should treat any signs of respiratory disease seriously and contact your vet or if you live near enough to transport your bird to one of our Associated Practices then you may register with us.
Answer
Lameness in adult birds needs careful examination.
The key reasons we find lameness are the following:
- A strain causing lameness following the leg getting stuck or trapped. Unless the skin is broken and there is a wound, generally there is little you can do except wait for it to gradually get better with rest- hard to do with a chicken as it will want to be outside with its flock otherwise it may get stressed.
- An infection in the foot pad. A swelling in the foot can be localised bacterial infection and will require veterinary examination and treatment
- In an extreme case the bird might have a fractured bone which will require veterinary treatment.
- Mareks disease causes tumours to develop in the nerve sheath of the sciatic and other nerves. This leads to paralysis and the bird becoming lame and often falling onto one side. There is no treatment. Marek’s vaccination can be carried out in chicks of future generations.
Recumbency (lying down continually) can be due to other diseases or a result of weight loss and general weakness. In all cases of lameness in adult birds the best course of action is to seek advice from your own local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your bird to one of your nearest surgeries for a consultation
Answer
Lumps can be due to tumours, an abscess or an infection, or a blood blister (haematoma). These are not easily treated without veterinary intervention and the actions needed will depend on the diagnosis and size of the lump. Do not attempt to puncture the lump or investigate the mass yourself. If your bird is not too phased by the lump monitor its size. If it is rapidly growing contact your own vet or register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your chicken to one of the surgeries nearest you for a consultation.
Are there any insects on the birds?
No
Yes
Answer
- Hens naturally moult once a year from late summer through to the winter. The old feather is pushed out by the emergence of the new feather through the feather follicle. This is completely natural. It is advisable to use multivitamins for a week when you notice many feathers are falling out to support your birds through this time.
- There might be a skin infection. If you can see any injury or damage to the skin clean it with some warm salty water using cotton wool. Dry with a paper towel. This should help to reveal the extent of the issue. Any minor graze or damage should heal on its own, but if you are concerned or the condition looks like it needs some treatment seek advice from your own local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your chicken to the surgery.
- If feathers are stunted or misshapen there might be a vitamin deficiency, but this would be rare unless all your birds are appearing with the same condition. If this is the case the feed may be the problem so check you are feeding fresh and in date feed.
- Birds lose feathers due to feather pecking which might be as a result of low protein levels. If you suspect this put them onto multivitamins for a week and at the same time make sure you are feeding a prepared ration rather than lots of treats. If feather pecking is sudden we suggest you hangin some greens such as cabbage in the run may also help in distracting feather pecking.
Poor feed, disease and other stresses will lead to a moult and administering a high quality vitamin in the water for 1 week will help the bird recover.
Answer
These will most likely be mites or lice. Chicken red mites are incredibly common and northern fowl mite and lice to a lesser extent. See Red Mites for treating all external parasites in detail.
With regard to feather loss the depluming mite can cause damage, however this is rarely found and treatment is the same as with other external parasites.
Red mites only go onto the bird at night to suck blood so don’t actually damage the feathers.
Northern fowl mite and lice will irritate the bird so treating for these will reduce any damage to the skin.
Answer
Consult your own local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices if you are near enough to transport your chicken to one of the surgeries.
Answer
In general birds control their appetite by the feed energy levels and excess weight is not common. However, overfeeding a high protein will lead to excess egg size and possible vent prolapses and peritonitis. This will need treatment by your own local vet or you may want to register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your chicken to one of the surgeries for a consultation.
Is there excess fluid or swelling of the abdomen?
No
Yes
Answer
You may be feeding too many treats. Chickens are meant to be on the lean side and naturally they select what they need. If we give them too much corn, especially maize high in starch and oil or foods which are not naturally found in the diet in quantity, then your birds will gain weight and develop health issues such as obesity and associated conditions.
Stick to a commercially made ration with none or very few treats as these can do more damage than good.
Do not feed fat balls, cheese or items which chickens wouldn’t naturally eat in the wild.
If you have lots of hens and overall they are putting on weight unexpectedly, check with the feed company if they can advise an alternative ration.
Answer
Birds which develop a swelling or fluid in the abdomen often stand very upright. This is not a good sign and might be due to a growth or a disease which produces excess fluid. Either of these conditions associated with weight gain will require more investigations and is a veterinary issue with not a good prognosis.
Contact your own local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices if you are near enough to transport your chicken to one of the surgeries.
Answer
Lumps can be due to tumours, an abscess or an infection, or a blood blister (haematoma). These are not easily treated without veterinary intervention and the actions needed will depend on the diagnosis and size of the lump. Do not attempt to puncture the lump or investigate the mass yourself. If your bird is not too phased by the lump, monitor its size. If it is rapidly growing, contact your own vet or register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your chicken to one of the surgeries nearest you for a consultation.
Answer
Lameness in adult birds needs careful examination. The key reasons we find lameness are the following:
- A strain causing lameness following the leg getting stuck or trapped. Unless the skin is broken and there is a wound, generally there is little you can do except wait for it to gradually get better with rest- hard to do with a chicken as it will want to be outside with its flock otherwise it may get stressed.
- An infection in the foot pad. A swelling in the foot can be a localised bacterial infection and will require veterinary examination and treatment.
- In an extreme case the bird might have a fractured bone which will require veterinary treatment.
- Mareks disease causes tumours to develop in the nerve sheath of the sciatic and other nerves. This leads to paralysis and the bird becoming lame and often falling onto one side. There is no treatment. Marek’s vaccination can be carried out in chicks of future generations.
Recumbency (lying down continually) can be due to other diseases or a result of weight loss and general weakness. In all cases of lameness in adult birds the best course of action is to seek advice from your own local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your bird to one of your nearest surgeries for a consultation.
Are there any insects on the birds?
No
Yes
Answer
- Hens naturally moult once a year from late summer through to the winter. The old feather is pushed out by the emergence of the new feather through the feather follicle. This is completely natural. It is advisable to use multivitamins for a week when you notice many feathers are falling out to support your birds through this time.
- There might be a skin infection. If you can see any injury or damage to the skin clean it with some warm salty water using cotton wool. Dry with a paper towel. This should help to reveal the extent of the issue. Any minor graze or damage should heal on its own, but if you are concerned or the condition looks like it needs some treatment seek advice from your own local vet or register with one of our Associated Practices and transport your chicken to the surgery.
- If feathers are stunted or misshapen there might be a vitamin deficiency, but this would be rare unless all your birds are appearing with the same condition. If this is the case the feed may be the problem so check you are feeding fresh and in date feed.
- Birds lose feathers due to feather pecking which might be as a result of low protein levels. If you suspect this put them onto multivitamins for a week and at the same time make sure you are feeding a prepared ration rather than lots of treats. If feather pecking is sudden we suggest you hang some greens, such as cabbage, in the run which may help in distracting feather pecking.
Poor feed, disease and other stresses will lead to a moult and administering a high quality vitamin in the water for 1 week will help the bird recover.
Answer
These will most likely be mites or lice. Chicken red mites are incredibly common and northern fowl mite and lice to a lesser extent. See Red Mites for treating all external parasites in detail.
With regard to feather loss the depluming mite can cause damage, however this is rarely found and treatment is the same as with other external parasites.
Red mites only go onto the bird at night to suck blood so don’t actually damage the feathers.
Northern fowl mite and lice will irritate the bird so treating for these will reduce any damage to the skin.
Is shell colour normal?
No
Yes
Answer
If the shell colour with brown egg layers has faded these are the key reasons why:
- Worms can cause the shell to go pale, so regular worming with Flubendazole and a worm egg count will certainly help. This is probably the most common cause of pale shells.
- Stress of any kind can cause pale and eggs with shell defects, supplements such as Multivitamins and Zolcal D may help get the birds through times of stress and improve shell colour and quality.
- Excess sunlight, so apart from keeping your birds inside, which they won’t be too happy about, you can’t really do anything if this is the main cause.
- Intestinal infections in which case there will be signs of loose droppings. This might require treatment and you will need to contact your vet or if you live near enough, transport your bird to one of our Associated Practices. Also a course of improving the gut flora might help.
Answer
- Mildly roughened shells occur with stresses on the bird and a course of Chicken Vet Multivitamins and zolcal D plus calcium will help. Oyster shell in the ration or as a separate scratch feed will help to improve shell quality.
- Wrinkly shells are usually due to a viral infection such as infectious bronchitis or simply old age and you should contact your vet or register to discuss particularly if your birds are young.
Answer
Chickens produce two main types of droppings on a daily basis; several firm grey/brown with a white top and usually two runny, often sticky light to dark brown droppings per day. The latter are from a fermentation process in the caeca, part of the intestinal tract and these runny droppings are completely normal.
There are however causes of producing lots of loose droppings including feed problems and intestinal disease. Our information on diarrhoea will give you more information.
Key reasons for excessive loose droppings:
- Upset in gut flora this can be corrected using Beryl’s healthy gut bacteria for chickens.
- Your bird has ceased eating therefore is only producing fluid from drinking, so the droppings are watery.
- Worms can cause loose droppings so regular worming with Flubendazole or using a faeces kit (WEC kit) to check the droppings will give you an idea of a worm burden.
- Infectious diseases causing a bacterial scour are not uncommon. In most cases treatment may be needed and you should contact your vet. In mild cases the use of acids and enzymes such as Biostop and Apple Cider Vinegar in the water can help.
Always ensure feed is clean and provided fresh on a daily basis. Birds will eat a wide range of materials and small and occasional looseness is not a problem.
While your birds are experiencing loose droppings make sure the coop is kept clean and fresh with Dri-bed and Poultry Disinfectant.
If the condition continues and your birds become lethargic consult your vet or a Chicken Vet Associated Practice.
Answer
There are many infectious agents in poultry, both viral and bacterial which can cause a bird to have respiratory signs including head shaking and sneezing. The bird has a unique air sac system which allows air to penetrate into long bones and the abdomen.
Low level infections in the upper respiratory tract can lead to invasion of bacteria deep into the bird which is life threatening. You should treat any signs of respiratory disease seriously and contact your vet or if you live near enough to transport your bird to one of our Associated Practices then you may register with us.
