How do you recognize a sick chicken?
But before we talk about a sick chicken, it is important to know what a healthy chicken looks like. And every chicken has its own character and quirks, so the longer you know your chickens, the easier it becomes to recognize abnormal behavior. Therefore, take the time to observe your chickens! You can recognize a healthy chicken as follows:
It is alert and active
Has shiny feathers and a red comb
A good, active stance and posture
The chicken has clean eyes and a dry beak
The cloaca is red and clean
And did you know that you can feel the laying legs to determine if it is a laying hen? If there is enough space between them, it is a laying hen since an egg can fit through. This will be about two finger widths wide. If the space is narrower, then the hen does not lay. During illness and molting, these laying legs also contract, for example.
Health
28 November '23 • 1 min reading time
A Sick Chicken
Hunching is indeed a common answer you get when you ask someone what a sick chicken looks like. This hunching is something chickens do when they are not feeling well. Additionally, you can recognize a sick chicken by:
Abnormal behavior Dirty and/or dull feathers Dirty eyes and a wet nose Isolating themselves and foraging less Fatigue Diarrhea
Take Quick Action with Sick Chickens!
A sick chicken is very vulnerable and should be treated quickly to allow for recovery. It is important that the chicken continues to eat and drink, so encourage it to keep eating with tasty treats (that are also high in protein) such as layer feed, chick feed, etc., and only use force-feeding as a last resort. Always consult a veterinarian if in doubt, even if it's just to ask for advice.
Additionally, it is important to keep the housing clean, keep the chicken warm, and provide supplements/medication if necessary. Of course, this all depends on the condition the chicken has. In any case, do not wait too long to take action; the sooner you do, the greater the chance that the chicken will survive.
Due to laws and regulations, we are not permitted to mention related products on this website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
