What’s Wrong With My Chicken? Ultimate Symptom Guide for Backyard Flocks

As a chicken keeper for over 15 years, I’ve seen my fair share of sick birds. That panicked moment when you notice something’s “off” with one of your flock can be really stressful! Whether it’s a droopy wing, weird poop, or a chicken that’s suddenly antisocial, identifying chicken health problems quickly can make all the difference.

In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through common symptoms what they might mean, and what actions you should take. Let’s dive in and figure out what’s wrong with your chicken!

How to Tell if Your Chicken is Sick

Healthy chickens are busy, alert birds that are constantly scratching pecking and exploring. They should have

• Bright, clear eyes
• Well-groomed, glossy feathers
• Smooth gait with no limping
• Bright red combs (for mature laying hens)
• Active foraging behavior
• Normal droppings

When a chicken is unwell, there are usually some pretty obvious signs. The most common first indicators include:

1. Isolation – Standing alone away from the flock
2. Fluffed-up feathers – Puffing up to conserve heat
3. Hunched posture – Often with head drooping
4. Lethargy – Lack of movement or interest in food
5. Unusual sitting – Sitting flat on the ground instead of perching

If you notice any of these behaviors, it’s time for a closer inspection.

Common Chicken Symptoms and What They Mean

Comb Issues

The comb is like your chicken’s health barometer – changes can indicate various problems:

Pale Comb:

• Normal in young pullets not yet laying
• In mature birds: Possible anemia, blood loss, or parasite overload
• Could indicate internal bleeding

Purple Comb

• Called cyanosis – indicates not enough oxygen in blood
• Points to heart or respiratory disease
• Requires urgent veterinary attention

Scabby Comb:

• Could be healing wounds from pecking/bullying
• Northern fowl mite bites
• Fowl pox (produces black scabs lasting weeks)

Orange Comb:

• Lack of sunlight
• Beta carotene overdose (common in show birds)

Eye Problems

Swollen Eyes:

• Foreign body (like grass seed)
• Infection
• Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) often starts with bubbles in eyes

Closed Eyes:

• Normal when sleeping (chickens do doze during day)
• Normal in windy conditions
• If closed for long periods, indicates illness

Bleeding Eyes:

• Often from cockerels fighting
• Possible predator attack
• Missing eyeball requires immediate vet care

Respiratory Symptoms

Respiratory issues are complex and often highly contagious:

Coughing/Wheezing/Gasping:

• Respiratory infection
• Gapeworm
• Infectious bronchitis
• Infectious laryngotracheitis
• Mycoplasma gallisepticum
• Coryza (often called “swollen head disease”)

Head Shaking:

• Respiratory disease
• Parasites
• Normal occasionally, but frequent shaking is concerning

Sneezing:

• All chickens sneeze occasionally
• Frequent sneezing indicates respiratory infection

Crop Issues

The crop is that storage pouch where food is moistened before moving through the digestive system.

Empty Crop:

• Bird not eating due to bullying, illness, blockage, poisoning, or virus

Full, Mushy Crop (like a water balloon):

• Sour crop – yeast infection of the crop
• Needs treatment with antifungals

Hard, Solid Lump in Crop:

• Impacted crop
• Often caused by too much fibrous greens or water after dry feed
• More common in rescue hens than heritage breeds

Abnormal Droppings

Normal chicken poop is firm and brown with white crystals (urates). Variations include:

Blood in Droppings:

• Could be coccidiosis
• Pecking damage to vent
• Burst blood vessel during egg laying
• Worms

Diarrhea:

• Note: Cecal poop (produced once every 8-10 droppings) is normally runny and smelly
• True diarrhea can be caused by diet (too much protein), worms, coccidiosis, infection, food poisoning, or contaminated water

Green Droppings:

• Can be normal with high-greens diet
• Might indicate kidney failure

Black Droppings:

• Could be from eating dark foods (blackberries, elderberries)
• Might be dried blood in digestive system – vet needed

Foul-Smelling Droppings:

• Sign of bacterial infection
• May require antibiotics like Tylan (prescription needed)

Egg Problems

Straining to Lay:

• Could be first-time layer
• Egg bound (egg stuck in oviduct)
• Egg peritonitis (infection)

Wrinkled Shells:

• One-off: Often due to disturbance overnight
• Persistent: Indicates infection

Thin Shells:

• Common in older hens
• Calcium deficiency

Fewer Eggs:

• Normal in older hens
• Could indicate malnutrition, broodiness, or recent stress

Stopped Laying Completely:

• Age-related
• Molting
• Illness or parasites

Lash Eggs:

• Not actually eggs but infection discharge
• Sign of egg peritonitis
• Requires antibiotics prescribed by vet

Feather Issues

Bald Patches:

• Feather pecking from other birds
• Amorous roosters damaging hen’s back feathers
• Normal molting (usually fall/autumn)
• Mites, parasites, or mange

Scratching:

• Common during molt
• Otherwise indicates fleas, lice, or mites

Chickens Avoiding the Coop:

• Might mean mites or parasites in coop/nest boxes
• Treat with diatomaceous earth (DE)

Leg and Movement Problems

Lameness:

• Injury
• Marek’s Disease
• Bumblefoot (infection in foot pad)

Scaly Legs:

• Raised scales indicate scaly leg mites

Wings Hanging Down:

• Heatstroke
• Injury
• Marek’s disease
• Sometimes for balance if unsteady

Wings Held Out to Sides:

• Overheating – birds need shade and fresh water

What to Do With a Sick Chicken

If you suspect illness, take these immediate steps:

1. Isolate the bird – Use a separate cage, crate, pet carrier or cardboard box with mesh over top
2. Provide comfort – Ensure warmth, clean water, and easily accessible food
3. Assess symptoms – Check comb, crop, vent, eyes, and breathing
4. Check droppings – Look under roosts in morning for abnormal signs
5. Consult a vet if condition is serious or you’re unsure

Common Treatments for Chicken Illnesses

Here are some treatments for common conditions:

Coccidiosis:

• Treatment: Amprolium (Corid in US, Coxoid in UK)
• Add to water for whole flock for 4-7 days

Worms:

• Regular deworming with products like Fleming 17% (US) or Flubenvet (UK)

Respiratory Infections:

• May require antibiotics from vet (often Tylan)
• Isolate affected birds

Mites and Parasites:

• Diatomaceous earth (DE) for treatment
• Deep clean coop and nesting boxes

Crop Issues:

• Sour crop: Diluted apple cider vinegar in water
• Impacted crop: Gentle massage and olive oil

Egg Binding:

• Warm bath soaks
• Lubricant applied to vent
• Veterinary care if not resolved quickly

Prevention is Better Than Cure

The best way to deal with chicken illness is to prevent it:

• Keep coops clean and dry
• Provide proper ventilation without drafts
• Offer quality feed appropriate for age/type
• Ensure access to clean, fresh water
• Provide dust bathing areas
• Practice good biosecurity (quarantine new birds)
• Regular health checks
• Control rodents, flies, and wild birds around coop

Sudden Death in Chickens

If you find a chicken has died suddenly, there are usually 5 main causes:

1. Heart attack
2. Predator attack or shock
3. Stroke
4. Poisoning
5. Avian flu (if multiple birds die in short timeframe)

When to Call a Vet

Some situations require professional help:

• Multiple birds showing similar symptoms
• Severe respiratory distress
• Prolapsed vent or egg binding not resolving
• Suspected infectious disease
• Neurological symptoms (twisted neck, circling)
• When you’re simply not sure what’s wrong

My Final Thoughts

I’ve learned that being observant is key to chicken health. Taking a few minutes each day to watch your flock can help you catch problems early. Most importantly, don’t panic! Many chicken illnesses can be successfully treated when caught early.

Remember, your chickens depend on you to be their healthcare provider. By learning to recognize these common symptoms, you’re taking a huge step toward being a responsible and effective chicken keeper.

Do you have experience with sick chickens? What symptoms did you notice first? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace proper veterinary care. When in doubt, always consult a poultry veterinarian.

Signs and symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens include depression, ruffled feathers, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), pale combs and wattles, poor appetite and water intake, lethargy, weight loss, and a general unkempt appearance.

Marek’s disease presents in chickens as one or more forms, including neural (paralysis), where birds have one-sided leg or wing paralysis; visceral (tumors), with tumors in internal organs; ocular (eye), causing gray, irregular irises; and cutaneous (skin), with enlarged, scabby feather follicles. Other signs can include weight loss, lethargy, labored breathing, diarrhea, and pale combs.