Health

Just like you have a family doctor that you see when you are unwell, your chickens need their own doctor too - a veterinarian is an animal doctor.

It’s a good idea for your family to find out which veterinarian they plan on using before you get your chickens. Not all veterinary clinics specialise in birds, so it is important you find a vet that is experienced at treating birds.

If possible, visit the clinic beforehand and look around. Ask yourself: Is the waiting area clean? Are the staff helpful? Find out the opening hours and if they handle emergencies after hours as well.

Once you get a new chicken, your family should have it checked by your chosen veterinary clinic straight away.

Make an appointment as soon as you can for a check-up. Your vet will have lots of useful advice that may help your chicken settle in.

It is helpful to write a list of the questions you want to ask so everything can be covered.

Chickens feel pain in the same way as other animals, including people, but they are not very good at showing outward signs of pain and may be suffering a great deal before you notice anything is wrong.

A change in the way your chicken normally behaves can be an early sign they are ill or in pain. If your chicken is not eating or is more quiet than usual, they are highly likely to be ill, or in pain. You should talk to your chicken’s veterinarian immediately.

The main health problems that we see in chickens are:

• nutritional disorders (from being fed an incorrect diet) or obesity,
• poisoning,
• foot problems (e.g. bumblefoot)
• stress-related behaviours.

Regular health check-ups with a vet are the best way of detecting any problems with your chickens early. Remember, if any of your chickens show any signs of injury or ill health, you must take them to their veterinarian immediately.

If it is late at night or on the weekend and your veterinary clinic is closed, there are great after-hours clinics available for emergencies. Make sure your family know where your closest after-hours veterinary clinic is.

Chickens moult one or two times a year, which means they can look very scruffy during this time. It is extra important to provide the best nutrition you can during this time, as moulting can be exhausting for a chicken.

If you see your chicken plucking out their feathers, contact a vet, as this is not normal. Your chicken is either stressed, frustrated or bored, or maybe has a medical problem that is causing them to pluck out their feathers.

It is important you seek veterinary advice immediately. If your vet determines that your chicken is bored or frustrated, here are a couple of ways to make all of your chickens' lives more interesting:

• Scatter food
• Treat ball: place your chickens' food in a treat ball for them to move around.
• Hanging veges: use pegs to hang your chickens’ vegetables at different heights. This will encourage them to search for them.

Ask your parent or caregiver to help you check your chickens for signs of illness or injury every day. The best time to observe this is when you put food out for your chickens, as you can watch how they move and feed.

Make sure this is done by someone else if you are away. Consult your vet immediately if you suspect your chicken is in pain, ill or injured.

Eyes, ears and nostrils

These should be clear, clean and bright looking with no discharge (gunky liquid). A chicken’s ears can be hidden underneath their feathers. The best way to find them is to look directly behind their eyes on each side of their head.

If your chicken is shaking their head a lot and scratching around their ears, this could be a sign of ear mites. You will need to take your chicken to see their veterinarian.

Feathers

• Your chicken’s feathers should be sleek, shiny and smooth.
• Frayed, or dull feathers, discoloration or itching can be signs of illness, and should be checked by your vet.
• A sick chicken will often stop preening (cleaning themselves) so they may look ‘dirty’ or dull.
• Mites or lice can be common in chickens, so check your chicken’s body and living areas regularly (e.g. perches, nests).
• Red mites are usually surrounded by a grey ashy dust in your chickens’ environment.
• Scaly leg mites cause your chickens’ legs to become thick and crusty
• Lice are very small, brown and fast moving. Check your chickens’ vent (bottom) and under its wings for lice.
• If your chicken is actively pulling out their feathers, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.

Bottom

Your chickens’ poo can tell you a lot about their health! Find out what normal droppings look like for each of your chickens and show an adult if you ever notice them looking different.

• Keep an eye out for small worms (like spaghetti) in your chicken’s droppings, as these can be making your chicken sick.
• Occasionally, certain foods (such as beetroot or carrot) can change the colour of your chicken’s droppings, so try and remember what food they ate that day.
• If your chicken is doing less (or more) droppings than normal, you may need to contact a vet.
• Look underneath your chickens to check that no droppings are sticking to their feathers. Droppings underneath a chicken can be a sign of sickness as they show that your chicken does not want to move around.

Beak

Check that your chickens are having no difficulty eating. If any of your chickens are having difficulty eating, they can become underweight and ill very quickly.

Claws and feet

Bumblefoot is a common foot problem in chickens where a wound or cut in the foot becomes infected. Check your chickens’ feet daily and contact a vet if you believe your chicken may have bumblefoot. Symptoms include cuts, wounds or ulcers on the feet, or limping.

Keep an eye on your chickens’ claws, as these can become overgrown if they are not able to wear them down on hard surfaces. Your vet will be able to show your family how to trim them if they are becoming too long.

• Is not interested in food or shows rapid weight loss.
• Is having difficulty eating.
• Vomits or regurgitates food.
• Has discharge coming from their eyes, ears or nostrils.
• Is producing abnormal droppings (or more/less than usual). Be aware some vegetables can change the colour of faeces (e.g. beetroot, carrot).
• Has excessive loss of feathers, feather plucking or poor condition. Chickens do undergo a normal moult that can take 1-2 months to complete.
• Has any injuries, wounds or is struggling to move normally.
• Has any lumps, tumours or swellings.
• Has overgrown nails, sores, blisters, scales or peeling skin on their feet.
• Shows any sudden change in their behaviour or appearance.
• Any changes in your chickens' comb (on their head) can also be a sign of illness.

People often think a trip to the vet as something only needed when one of their chickens become unwell. However, it is also important to remember that annual health checks are important for your chicken’s wellbeing.

These annual checks are a great way to detect any small problems before they become more serious. During this 15 - 20-minute appointment, your veterinarian will carefully examine each chicken’s entire body – from the top of their head, to their wings and tail!

Your veterinarian will also discuss any concerns you have regarding your chicken’s health, diet and behaviour.

If any of your chickens ever shows any signs of injury or ill health, an adult must take them to their veterinarian immediately.

Chickens can become highly stressed by being physically handled. To find out the best ways to pick up and transport a chicken, see our Mental Wellbeing section.

If it is late at night or on the weekend and your vet is closed, there are great after hour clinics available for emergencies.

If you find a chicken that doesn’t belong to you or that shows signs of sickness or injury, get an adult to contact your local bird rescue or SPCA Centre immediately.

Remember to always find an adult before you approach any chicken that appears sick or injured – even your own chicken. Chickens may respond differently because they are in pain.

Chickens need to be handled correctly. Not all chickens like to be picked up, so always check with an adult first about whether it’s ok to pick up your chicken. Like most animals, the more your chickens trust you, the more likely they will be to allow you to hold them.

The best way to pick up a chicken is by placing your hands over the top of each of your chicken’s wings, then gently lift your chicken up, gently tucking their body under your arm so they feel safer and more supported.

It’s a great idea to reward your hen with some grain or food pellets when placing them safely back down to show them that handling should not be viewed as an unpleasant or feared experience for them.

It is essential to handle your chickens properly to avoid any accidents or injuries. Always ask an adult for help.