Health Problems

Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of birds and is classed as a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement to report suspected cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Bumblefoot

Does your hen look as if she is wearing over-large carpet slippers? If so she might have Bumblefoot.

Depluming Mite

The depluming mite (knemidocoptes gallinae) can infect most backyard fowl including chickens, ducks and geese. The mite burrows into the feather shafts and the skin surrounding the feathers.

Egg Binding

Failure to pass the egg from the shell gland to the vent is referred to as Egg Binding (Dystocia) or more commonly as a hen being Egg Bound.

Egg Yolk Peritonitis

A hen will sometimes become a ‘blind’ or ‘internal’ layer which can lead to Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP).

Impacted Crop

The crop is a muscular bag at the bottom of a hen’s neck which stores feed for the day and on occasion can become impacted.

Lash Eggs (Salpingitis)

Occasionally you may come across an abnormal object in the nest box that is neither egg nor dropping. This may be yellow or flesh-coloured and may look at first glance like a lump of sausage meat – this phenomenon is commonly known as a Lash.

Lice

Lice are often found on hens that are debilitated or unwell, and live their entire lives on the body of the host chicken; adult lice shun sunlight and will quickly scatter when feathers are parted. They cannot spread to humans or other species.

Liver and Kidney Problems

Chickens can develop problems with their liver and / or kidneys. The three most common conditions being Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS), Fatty Liver and Kidney Syndrome (FLKS) and Enlarged Liver.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma (Gallisepticum and Synoviae) is a bacteria not a virus. Both can affect the kidneys and hens are not routinely vaccinated to prevent them catching it. Infected birds become carriers, remaining infectious for life, although some birds may become immune.

Newcastle Disease

Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral infection of birds and is classed as a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement to report suspected cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Northern Fowl Mite

The Northern Fowl Mite’s entire life cycle is spent on the host where it feeds on blood and is a source of irritation to the bird. Eggs are laid in masses at the base of the feathers, usually in the vent area.

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