Ornamental chickens

Crest-related eye inflammation / conjunctivitis

SignsOne eye kept closed, wet feathers around the eye, swollen eyelid, head shaking, bumping into objects, unable to find food

PreventionTrim the crest so it stays out of the eyes, in consultation with the vet. Dry a wet crest right away and wipe dirt from the facial feathers daily

Scaly leg mites (feather-legged breeds)

SignsRaised leg scales with white crusts, loss of leg feathers, favoring the leg and limping, deformity

PreventionCheck the legs of newcomers and quarantine them. Keep the floor dry and scald perches with boiling water regularly. Treat early with a vet-prescribed antiparasitic

Hypothermia (small breeds)

SignsFluffed up, huddled and shivering, pale comb, cold feet and sluggish movement, not eating

PreventionMove Seramas and small bantams indoors or to a heated coop below 5°C. Block wind and damp, use thick bedding. Dry them right away if they get wet

Feather folliculitis / tail feather damage

SignsRed, swollen base of Onagadori tail feathers, bleeding from the feather shaft, bent tail feathers, self-plucking

PreventionA tomebako and high perch so the tail does not drag on the ground. Enough space and a dry floor so feathers are not stepped on. Never pull the tail feathers

Fowl pox

SignsBlack scabs or wart-like bumps on the comb, wattles and face, white false membrane in the mouth, reduced appetite, labored breathing

PreventionSpread by mosquitoes, so use mosquito netting and control larvae in summer. Large-combed breeds need extra care. Isolate affected birds

Leg weakness / rickets (chicks)

SignsChick cannot stand and legs splay, swollen joints, wobbly gait, slow growth, lower hatch rate in Japanese bantams

PreventionChick starter feed with vitamins and minerals. Avoid slippery floors; use bedding. Understand that mating two short-legged bantams lowers the hatch rate

Head injury in crested breeds

PreventionCrested breeds have a gap in the skull and a fragile head. Separate them from peckers and avoid low ceilings and sharp wire-mesh corners

First aidApply light pressure to bleeding. Head tilt, staggering or seizures may mean brain injury; see the vet immediately

Broken Onagadori tail feather

PreventionA tomebako tall enough that the tail does not drag, with a dry floor. When catching, never hold the tail; support the chest and belly

First aidDo not pull a broken feather; protect the base with clean gauze. Apply pressure to any bleeding and see the vet the same day

Frostbite of the comb and wattles

PreventionFor large-combed breeds, shield the coop from wind and keep it warm below freezing. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly at night

First aidDo not warm suddenly; let it return gradually at room temperature. Do not rub blackened areas, keep them dry and see the vet within a few days

Mud balls in leg feathers / toe necrosis

PreventionKeep feather-legged breeds in the coop on rainy days and off muddy runs. Check the leg feathers daily

First aidSoften mud with lukewarm water; do not force it off. If a toe is black or cold, see the vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched droppings, feathers or eggshells

PreventionAlways wash hands after shows or handling. Use dedicated coop shoes and do not bring them indoors

Avian influenza

RouteClose contact with droppings or secretions of infected chickens

PreventionQuarantine birds returning from shows and disinfect shoes and hands. Do not touch sudden deaths; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Red mite bite dermatitis

RouteMites hiding in coop crevices bite people's arms and legs

PreventionScald crevices of the tomebako and nest boxes with boiling water. Use dedicated work clothes and do not bring them indoors

Favus (avian ringworm)

RouteTouching white crusts on the comb with bare hands infects the skin

PreventionHandle white powdery crusts on the comb with gloves and see the vet. Do not share tools

Food

• Adult layer/maintenance feed twice a day, morning and evening; smaller pellets for small breeds
• A small amount of greens such as komatsuna daily; Onagadori need extra nutrition for feathers
• Keep oyster shell and grit available in a separate container

Water

• Clean water at all times. A narrow-mouthed drinker so the crest does not dip into it
• For feather-legged breeds, a hanging drinker that does not spill prevents mud

Toys & play

• A dry sand dust bath (fine sand for feather-legged breeds)
• Hang greens for them to peck
• For crested breeds, do not scatter feed on the floor; use an eye-level feeder

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dark nest box with dry straw; place it low for small breeds
• A tall tomebako for Onagadori so the tail never touches the floor

Bedding & litter

• Thick layer of rice hulls or wood chips, kept dry
• For feather-legged breeds and Onagadori, remove droppings daily and keep bedding dry
• Change the tomebako floor daily so feathers stay clean

Cage / housing material

Wooden coop with fine wire mesh. Dry bedding on the floor. Bird netting to keep wild birds out

Size & space

At least 0.3 m² per small-breed bird plus a run. Onagadori need a tomebako at least 1.5 m tall

Layout

• Low, thick perches; minimize steps for crested breeds
• Feed and water at a height that keeps droppings out and the crest dry
• Give the Onagadori tomebako room for the tail to grow

Placement notes

• Keep small and crested breeds out of cold wind and rain
• In residential areas, consider soundproofing for rooster crowing

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let them out daily on a dry run. Avoid mud after rain
• Take Onagadori out for short exercise with the tail held up
• Keep crested breeds in an enclosure with clear sightlines; watch for cats and crows

Temperature & humidity

Temperature15–25°C. Heat small breeds below 5°C; keep crested breeds out of direct summer sun

Humidity50–60%. Keep things dry so leg and tail feathers do not get wet

Summer & winter

• Summer: shade, cool water and mosquito netting to prevent fowl pox
• Winter: move small breeds indoors or to a heated coop; prevent comb frostbite

Nail trimming

Feather-legged breeds wear their nails down poorly. Check monthly and have the vet trim overgrown nails

Brushing, skin & coat care

Wipe and dry the crest and leg feathers daily. Clean and lightly tidy the Onagadori tail every few days

Other care

Check the comb, eye area and leg scales daily. Dry wet frizzled or silkie feathers right away

Protection from predators

• Crested breeds cannot see above and are easy targets for raptors and crows
• Small breeds get carried off by cats and weasels, so lock up at night
• Mosquitoes carry fowl pox, so hang mosquito netting in summer

Foreign-body ingestion

They peck and swallow show tags, wire and thread. Crested breeds have a narrow field of view and eat floor debris without noticing, so keep the floor clear

Being stepped on

Small breeds crowd your feet and get stepped on. If stepped on, do not pick up; place in a box, and see the vet immediately if it cannot walk or breathes heavily

Getting pinched

Tail or leg feathers get caught in tomebako doors and nest box lids. Check feathers before closing doors, and check the tail position before moving an Onagadori

Falls

Short-legged bantams trip on steps and crested breeds fall because they cannot see. Keep perches under 30 cm; see the vet if the bird cannot stand after a fall

Escape

Small breeds slip through small gaps and can fly. Use mesh of 1.5 cm or finer. If one escapes, search treetops at dusk and call with the flock's voices

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving, stand quietly and block its view with a towel
2. Pin the wings against the body with both hands from behind
3. Lift by supporting the chest and belly, never the tail or crest
4. Return it to the coop and step away until it calms down

After the release

Wash wounds under running water and disinfect. If a spur wound swells or festers, see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Breed name, whether crested or feather-legged, show attendance history, photos of droppings, condition of coop-mates. Call an avian vet in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Consciousness: does it respond to your voice or a touch on the crest
• Breathing: watch the chest rise and fall. About 20–30 per minute at rest
• Heartbeat: put your ear to the chest. Over 300 per minute in small breeds

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• For feather shaft or comb bleeding, use styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it will not stop, keep pressing and go to the vet

Transport

• A dark box lined with a towel; curl the tail loosely without bending it
• Keep warm with a hand warmer and carry quietly without jostling