Guides to common chicken illnesses, parasites, injuries and poisonings: what the signs look like, what causes them and when to call a vet. Every article in this section has been checked against veterinary and university extension sources, which are listed at the end of each article. Our writers are not veterinarians, so use these guides alongside advice from a poultry vet. If birds die suddenly or show swelling, purple discoloration, gasping or twisted necks, contact your state veterinarian or USDA (1-866-536-7593) right away.
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Infectious Coryza in chickens is a contagious respiratory disease caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, which affects the upper respiratory tract. This highly infectious disease can lead to significant economic losses in…
Ivermectin is not FDA-approved for chickens in the US. Using it in a laying flock is “extra-label” use, which for food animals should only happen on a veterinarian’s instructions. Research shows ivermectin residues can stay in egg yolks for weeks after treatment, so the biggest question is often not
Egg yolk peritonitis in chickens is a condition characterized by symptoms like abdominal swelling and lethargy. Egg yolk peritonitis is serious and often fatal. A veterinarian may try prescription antibiotics…
Foamy bubbles in the corner of a chicken’s eye are a classic sign of a respiratory infection, most often Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), rather than a simple eye problem. That matters because the infection involves the whole bird, spreads through the flock, and is not cured by cleaning the eye or app
The worms that most often affect backyard chickens are large roundworms, cecal worms, capillary worms, gapeworms and tapeworms. A light worm burden often causes no signs, while heavy infections can cause weight loss, diarrhea, fewer eggs and, with gapeworms, gasping. The best way to know what your f
No, chickens should not eat chocolate. It contains theobromine and caffeine, stimulants that mainly affect the nervous system and heart. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can lead to various…
Coccidiosis in chickens causes symptoms, evolves rapidly, and requires proper treatment. Coccidiosis is a common and highly contagious disease that affects chickens, resulting in significant economic losses for poultry farmers….
Ten reasons why your chicken loses its feathers include mites, lice, stress, poor nutrition, molting, excessive brooding, aggressive pecking, fungal infections, parasites, and feather picking. Chickens may lose their feathers…
Yes, chickens can eat ripe tomatoes as an occasional treat; it is the leaves, stems and green, unripe fruit that contain much higher levels of the glycoalkaloid tomatine. Documented poisoning from tomato plants is rare, but there is no reason to feed the risky parts. This guide explains where tomati
Blood in chicken poop may be a sign of various health issues and should be addressed promptly. Blood in chicken poop can be alarming for backyard chicken keepers. It is…