If you notice that your chickens behave or have different behaviorstopped laying eggsyou should begin treating sick chickens until you have identified and treated the underlying problem. We know how scary and worrying it can be when your chickens are sick. After all, the Freedom Ranger Hatchery isa family of hatcheries- started in a backyard more than 40 years ago. Since then, we've raised families, chickens, and eggs to become the number one hatchery in Pennsylvania.
And with that experience comes extensive knowledge about the care of sick birds. That's why in today's blog post we'll discuss the signs your chickens are sick, how to treat them, and some common chicken diseases to look out for.
Sign of a sick chicken
You may not immediately realize that your chickens are not feeling well. Chickens are prey animals and quite curious. So if they notice that a chick in their flock is not doing well, they will pick at it or pick on it, worsening their condition. Therefore, chickens will often hide their symptoms as best they can.
As a chicken keeper you must be aware of normal behavior and...Spot signs of illnessfairly quickly. Some common signs that your chicken may be sick include:
- Hides from other pack members and humans
- Doesn't lay that many eggs
- Doesn't move as much as normal
- Pale ridges or ridges
- Unusual stools
- Standing awkwardly
- Weakness
- Not eating or drinking normally
If you notice these signs or anything else unusual, it is a good idea to begin treating sick chickens.
Basic treatment of sick chickens
Having a process in place when your chickens are sick will give the bird the best chance of recovery and prevent the disease from spreading to other birds in your flock. And just as you care for yourself or your children when they are sick, home remedies for a sick chicken are similar.
1. Isolate the sick bird
The first thing you will want to do in your sick chicken treatment process is isolate the bird. By moving the bird to its own doghouse or rabbit hutch in a separate building from the rest of the animals, you ensure that the disease does not spread from bird to bird and that the other chickens do not bully it. The quarantine area must be quiet, warm and protected from predators and other animals.
Until the bird recovers, always use separate supplies to feed and hydrate the birdprevents the disease from spreading. It is also a good idea to wear overboots when you are in the building with the sick bird so that you can dispose of it and not contaminate other parts of your backyard or yard. You can also place a bucket full of bleach outside the building for you to dip your boots in after you leave the isolated area.
Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly after handling a sick chicken!
2. Keep your sick chicken hydrated
The second most important thing to do when treating sick chickens is to make sure the bird stays hydrated. Sufficient fresh drinking water is essential. Just like yours back thenyoung hens arrived firstIt is important to ensure that your sick bird has plenty of fresh, clean water.
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Chickens need water to surviveand it helps them regulate their metabolism, digest food and eliminate waste. If a chicken is dehydrated, it cannot adequately fight the disease.
It's also a good idea to add a vitamin or electrolyte supplement to the drinking water for the first few days to help them rehydrate. You can use a small amount of sports drink if you don't have electrolyte supplements on hand. If your sick chicken won't drink on its own, a medication drop or spoon to encourage drinking may help.
3. Encourage healthy eating
Food is not nearly as important as water if your chicken is sick and may not even want to eat. However, you can encourage your chicken to eat by grinding up the layer food and mixing it with warm water or milk to make a puree. Use a spoon, syringe or tube to feed the chicks if they don't have the energy or motivation to feed themselves.
4. Focus on rest and healing
It is important to note that if your bird is eating and drinking normally, you should not add anything extra to the bird's food or water that it would not normally consume. Some people add foods such as apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic or yogurt to boost their immune system. These additional foods can shock their system if they are not used to them and worsen their condition.
Instead, focus on giving the birds plenty of rest and healing during this time. You can focus on improving their immune system as they recover. It is also a good idea to contact your state veterinarian or animal control to see if any diseases are spreading among birds so you can treat them appropriately.
5. Plan for the best and the worst
In the best case, your sick chicken will recover. At this point you are reintegrating your chicken into the flock as if it were a brand new bird. You can do this by placing the now healthy chicken in a designated area so that the chicken and the flock can see and hear each other while maintaining a safe space for both. After about a week, you should create an opening that will allow the bird to enter and exit at will.
In the worst case scenario, you may have to consider euthanasia. No one likes to use this method. However, if your sick bird is not getting better and you have tried various natural remedies and medications for sick chickens to improve your chicken's health, it is probably suffering. Nobody wants that.
Find a vet who will euthanize your chickens for you, as many will do even if they don't routinely handle chickens. You can also contact your state's veterinary diagnostic laboratory for euthanasia services and an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Knowing the cause of death can help protect the rest of your flock and give you peace of mind.
Common chicken diseases
You may be wondering if there are certain medications or antibiotics you can give your sick chicken to treat him. It depends on the type of disease or condition they have. Below you will find a chart showing the most common chicken diseases and some recommended treatments.
| Diseases in chickens | Symptoms | Possible solutions | Learn more |
| Mites and lice | Excessive preening or pecking of their feathers more than normal | Dust baths, diatomaceous earth, cage mite spray | Read more about mites and lice in chickens |
| Salmonella | Depression, poor growth, diarrhea, dehydration, general weakness | Ask a vet about getting antibiotics. Keep the chicken coop clean. | More information about Salmonella |
| Marek's disease | Tumors, irregularly shaped pupils, partial paralysis, most common in young chicks | Remove it from the packaging. It will probably remain a carrier for the rest of its life. Consider vaccination. | Learn more about Marek's disease |
| Chicken-pox | Wart-like lesions on unfeathered parts of the bird (dry form) or around the mouth with discharge from the eyes (wet form) | It will take care of itself. Follow the disease treatment process described above to keep your chicken comfortable. | More information about fowl pox |
| Infectious bronchitis | Egg production decreases, loss of interest in food and water, labored breathing, discharge from their eyes and nostrils | Ask your vet if antibiotics are appropriate. Otherwise, keep the bird quarantined, hydrated and fed until the diseases clear up. | Learn more about bronchitis infections |
| New Castle disease | Breathing problems - such as difficulty breathing and runny nose - weak eyes and reduced egg production | Birds usually recover on their own, but young chicks may not survive. Ask a vet if antibiotics are appropriate. | Learn more about New Castle disease |
| Coccidiosis | Loose stools, bloody or watery diarrhea, weight loss and ruffled feathers. | It can be treated with an antibiotic or other medicine to remove the parasite. | Learn more about coccidiosis |
| Aspergillosis | Rapid breathing with open mouth, lack of appetite, increased thirst, drowsiness. | Follow the treatment of sick chickens as previously described and wait until the disease has passed. | Learn more about aspergillosis |
| Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) | May show no signs but may include sticky discharge from the nostrils, frothy discharge from the eyes, and swollen sinuses | It can be treated with antibiotics, such as Tylan or Gallmycin, but infected birds should be removed from the flock. | Learn more about MG |
| Mycoplasma Synoviae (MS) | Lameness, unwillingness to move, swollen joints, high gait, weight loss, general lethargy, difficulty breathing | It can be treated with antibiotics, such as Tylan or Gallmycin, but infected birds should be removed from the flock. | Learn more about MS |
The best way to keep your flock healthy? Start with the tastiest chickens from Freedom Ranger!
Seeing sick chickens can be heartbreaking. You want to make them better immediately, but often the disease has to run its course. Treating sick chickens is not much different than treating your child's cold.
Begin by isolating the animal and ensuring that contaminated tools are not mixed with tools for the rest of the herd. Make sure they have access to fresh water and stay hydrated, and encourage them to eat. Give the bird time to heal or consider euthanasia if it appears to be suffering.
Keeping your flock healthy is essential for your backyard pet management or laying business. The best way to ensure that your chicken community is healthy from the start is to buy chicks from themNPIP certified hatchery, such as the Freedom Ranger Hatchery. We can even vaccinate your chicks against Marek's disease before they reach you! View our full product range today!
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