Key points:
- Regular health checks can help you spot changes in your chickens before minor issues become more serious.
- Daily, weekly and monthly coop routines make it easier to monitor eating, behaviour, egg laying, feet, feathers and overall condition.
- Keeping the coop clean, dry and well maintained can help reduce the risk of mites and other common health problems.
- Bumblefoot can often be prevented by providing smooth perches, dry substrate and checking feet regularly for cuts, swelling or scabs.
- Egg binding is an urgent condition, so watch for straining, reduced appetite, unusual posture or a hen separating herself from the flock.
- Contact a poultry-experienced vet if you notice sudden lethargy, appetite changes, injuries that aren’t improving or other signs of illness.
Chickens are generally hardy, but minor health issues can develop quickly if they go unnoticed, making regular backyard chicken care and chicken disease prevention important.
Because chickens often hide signs of illness, routine checks and preventative habits can help identify problems before they become serious.
Building a regular health check routine
Chicken owners know that they’ll be out in the coop every day one way or another, so having a list of tasks is an easy way to spot signs of a sick chicken early.
| Frequency: | Chicken health checklist: |
|---|---|
| Daily | Check who’s eating normally (and if anyone isn’t). Empty out their water and refresh it, watch their general behaviour, and note any changes in egg laying. |
| Weekly | Check their feet for swelling, sores or injuries, and inspect their feathers and vents for mites or lice. Sweep away old substrate and droppings, particularly around the perches. |
| Fortnightly | Handle each chicken to assess their body condition, feeling for a prominent keel bone, and check the colour of their comb and wattles. |
| Monthly | Check the coop cleanliness and substrate condition more deeply and consider replacing it with fresh substrate. Look at their perches for wear or sharp edges. |
Use this as a baseline and adjust the frequency according to the season, chicken coop size and number of chickens in your flock. This routine can help prevent common chicken illnesses and make changes easier to identify.
Preventing and managing mites
Red mites are most active during warm, humid weather in spring and summer. They hide in cracks and crevices during the day, then emerge at night to feed on chickens.
Northern fowl mites are more common during the cooler months and live directly on chickens, making them easier to find during the day. Look around the vent and beneath the wings. A pale comb, scabs or blood flecks on the feathers may indicate an infestation.
When it comes to chicken parasite prevention, using a torch can help you see mites more easily on the chicken’s skin and under the feathers.
Getting rid of mites (and keeping them away)
Prevention is generally easier than treatment. Regularly clean the coop and perches, provide a suitable dust-bathing area and keep the substrate dry. Wood shavings can help absorb moisture, while a watertight roof will prevent rain from entering the coop.
If your chickens are already infested, you’ll need to treat both the birds and the coop. A vet can recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your flock. Clean the coop thoroughly, as mites can survive for weeks without feeding on chickens.
Once the infestation has cleared, an insect and mite powder, such as one from Inca, may help prevent reinfestation when used according to the label.
Bumblefoot: causes and prevention
Bumblefoot is one of the most common backyard chicken diseases you’ll likely encounter. It’s a bacterial infection that results in swelling, redness, and dark scabs on your chicken’s feet. It’s most often caused by small cuts from rough perches that allow bacteria to get in.
Bumblefoot can be more common in larger, heavier chickens as there’s more pressure on their feet when they’re perching. Without treatment, an affected chicken may become lame, so early intervention is important.
The substrate you use in your coop can help prevent bumblefoot by reducing friction and the chances of little cuts occurring. Sand, straw, or wood shavings can serve as a gentler cushion for your chickens' feet. The important thing is to prevent it from getting damp or soggy, as this can counteract the benefits (and encourage mites).
For your perches, ensuring they’re clean, smooth, and comfortable will help reduce the chances of too much pressure on their feet as well as limiting the chances of getting cut or nicked by splinters.
If you notice swelling, scabbing, or a “bud” of infection forming on your chicken’s foot, you can clean their feet at home, but you’ll want to take them to the vet for proper treatment.
Helping egg-bound chickens
An egg-bound hen is unable to pass an egg that's become stuck in the reproductive tract, and it's considered an urgent situation that may need vet intervention. Signs of an egg-bound hen include straining, a wide or waddling stance, reduced appetite or movement, and sitting hunched away from the flock.
If she does not pass the egg within a few hours or appears to be deteriorating, take her to a vet immediately.
Not being able to pass the egg can quickly become life-threatening, so checking your chickens for this concern daily is crucial.
When to see a vet
While good hygiene and regular checks can help manage or prevent many backyard chicken health issues, some signs require veterinary attention.
Book an appointment if you notice sudden lethargy, loss of appetite or thirst, unusual posture, or an injury that does not improve within a day or two. Finding a poultry-experienced vet in advance will make it easier to act quickly.
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