Chicken

Marek's disease

SignsParalysis of legs or wings in young birds, one leg stretched forward and the other back, weight loss, change in eye color

PreventionBuy vaccinated chicks. Quarantine new birds. There is no treatment once it develops; priority is preventing spread to flockmates

Egg binding

SignsSits in the nest straining for a long time, swollen abdomen, penguin-like posture, dragging legs, no droppings

PreventionSupplement calcium with oyster shell. Avoid obesity and cold. First-time layers, older hens and Silkies need extra care

Avian influenza

SignsSudden death, several birds losing vigor at once, purple discoloration of the comb, facial swelling, neurological signs. If suspected, contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

PreventionKeep wild birds out with bird netting. Use dedicated footwear and wash hands. Do not let wild birds reach feed or water

Coccidiosis

SignsBloody or watery droppings, huddling with fluffed feathers, loss of appetite, sudden death in chicks

PreventionRemove droppings from the floor daily and keep it dry. Raise feeders and waterers off the floor so droppings cannot get in

Red mite (poultry mite)

SignsRestless at night, pale comb from anemia, drop in egg production, tiny red bugs in roost crevices

PreventionReduce gaps in the coop and disinfect regularly with boiling water or sunlight. Provide a dust bath. Consult a vet if anything is abnormal

Ascites / egg yolk peritonitis

SignsSwollen, sagging abdomen, labored breathing, penguin-like posture, laying stops, loss of vigor

PreventionCommon in older laying hens. Avoid obesity and see a vet early for any laying abnormality. Cure is difficult; care is mainly palliative

Pecking wounds

PreventionAvoid overcrowding. Introduce newcomers through a partition. Isolate any bleeding chicken at once

First aidIsolate and apply pressure with gauze to stop bleeding. Deep wounds or head wounds: see a vet the same day

Bumblefoot (swollen footpad)

PreventionUse thick roosts without sharp edges. Soft bedding on the floor. Prevent obesity

First aidWash the footpad, keep it clean and move the bird to a soft floor. Swelling or a black scab: see a vet

Attack by dogs, weasels or crows

PreventionLock chickens in the coop at night. Use fine-mesh wire and bury it into the ground

First aidApply pressure to bleeding and keep warm in a dark box. Even small wounds can mean infection or internal injury; see a vet immediately

Wing or leg fracture

PreventionAvoid roosts that are too high. When catching, hold the wings and support chest and belly with both hands

First aidWing: wrap with a towel against the body. Leg: do not touch; place in a box and see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched droppings, eggshells or feathers

PreventionWash hands with soap after care and after handling eggs. Wash and refrigerate eggs. Do not kiss chicks

Avian influenza

RouteClose contact with droppings and secretions of infected chickens

PreventionDo not touch sudden deaths or abnormal birds; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center. Wear a mask and gloves when working

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral infection from equipment or hands contaminated with droppings

PreventionWash coop equipment separately from the kitchen. Always wash children's hands after they touch chickens

Psittacosis

RouteInhaling dust from dried droppings

PreventionDampen droppings and wear a mask when cleaning. Ventilate well and do not let droppings build up

Food

• Formulated feed (adult or chick) twice daily, morning and evening
• A small amount of greens and vegetable scraps daily
• Oyster shell and grit always available in a separate container

Water

• Clean water at all times. Change twice a day in summer
• Mount the waterer high enough that droppings cannot get in

Toys & play

• A permanent dust bath (dry sand or soil)
• Hang a cabbage for them to peck
• Scatter feed in the bedding so they can forage

Nest, bed & hideout

• Dry straw in a dark, enclosed nest box
• Thick roost 30–50 cm above the floor

Bedding & litter

• Spread rice hulls or wood chips thickly
• Remove droppings daily and keep the bedding dry
• Replace all bedding monthly and let the coop dry out

Cage / housing material

Wooden coop with wire mesh. Floor of soil or bedding. Bird netting to block wild birds

Size & space

At least 0.5 m² of coop plus 1 m² of run per bird

Layout

• Separate the nest box, roost and dust bath
• Feed and water high enough to keep droppings out
• Provide shade and a windbreak

Placement notes

• Rooster crowing is loud; avoid dense residential areas
• Build so wild birds, rats and weasels cannot get in

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let them out into the run for several hours daily
• Free-range inside a fence and watch for wild-bird droppings
• Indoor chickens: use a diaper and walk them several times a day

Temperature & humidity

Temperature10–25°C. Chicks start at around 32°C and are lowered gradually

Humidity50–60%. Keep the inside of the coop dry

Summer & winter

• Summer: provide shade, cool water and coop ventilation
• Winter: windbreak and thick bedding. Do not let water freeze

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally on soil. Have a vet trim overgrown nails and spurs

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Dust bathing maintains feathers and skin. Dry Silkies if they get wet in the rain

Other care

Check the comb, footpads and vent area for dirt daily. Boost nutrition during molt

Protection from predators

• Always lock them in the coop at night
• Block wild birds and crows with bird netting
• Bury wire mesh at least 20 cm into the ground against weasels

Foreign-body ingestion

They peck at and swallow nails, wire, plastic and rubber bands. Clear small objects from the ground. Loss of appetite or head shaking: see a vet

Being stepped on

They crowd around your feet, so check where they are before walking. If you step on one, do not pick it up; place it in a box, and see a vet if it cannot walk

Getting pinched

Neck or legs get caught in coop doors, nest-box lids and fence gaps. Close doors slowly and keep gaps under 3 cm

Falls

A fall from a high roost or from being held can fracture a leg. Keep roosts under 50 cm. If it cannot stand after a fall, see a vet

Escape

Prevent with wing clipping or a fence at least 1.8 m high. If one escapes, search trees and hiding spots at dusk and call it with feed and the flock's voices

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving, avoid eye contact and stand quietly
2. Block its line of sight with a towel or board
3. From behind, hold both wings against the body with both hands and lift
4. Return it to the coop and stay away until it calms down

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. Deep spur wounds, swelling or pus: see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Laying records, photos of droppings, feed and bedding, number and condition of flockmates. Call ahead to a vet that treats birds

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Consciousness: does it respond to voice or touch?
• Breathing: watch the chest rise and fall. About 20–30 breaths/min at rest
• Heartbeat: put your ear to the chest. About 250–300 beats/min

Stopping bleeding

• Apply pressure with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• Comb or nail bleeding: use styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it does not stop, see a vet while maintaining pressure

Transport

• In a dark box or carrier lined with a towel
• Keep warm with a hand warmer and carry quietly without jolting