Raising backyard chickens is an exciting pastime. Obviously, you love your feathered friends and enjoy watching them strut around the yard. Chickens develop individual personalities and to top it off, they provide those little highly sought after protein bullets that are a versatile form of nutrition.
Since we all share a fondness for our backyard birds, we work hard to keep them healthy and feeling their best. That’s why our Backyard Boost® bunch here at BioZyme® wanted to learn more about chicken diseases to keep our own flocks healthy and thriving. We dug into the topic and developed this resource so you, too, can keep your flock feeling healthy and fine.
Wondering who you are getting information from? Backyard Boost is a line of products purposefully crafted to support the well-being of birds. Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your flock.
Common Chicken Diseases
Raising healthy chickens requires attention to their environment, diet and overall well-being. Like all animals, chickens are susceptible to various ailments, some of which can be managed or prevented through proper nutrition. And if there’s anyone who knows proper nutrition, it’s the team here at BioZyme. We understand that healthy hens start with good nutrition.
We’ve provided an overview of common chicken diseases, symptoms and how a balanced diet can support their health.
Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza, or bird flu, is a severe viral disease that affects multiple organ systems, leading to respiratory distress, swelling, and high mortality rates. If you’ve watched or read any news in the last year, you’ve likely heard of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and how it has had severe impacts on commercial and backyard poultry flocks across the United States. When compared with other chicken diseases go, it is highly contagious and transmitted by wild birds. That makes it far more common in spring and fall, traditional migration periods.
Due to the severity of avian influenza, report any symptoms of your flock immediately and keep them quarantined.
Symptoms
- Respiratory sign – gasping
- Digestive sign – extreme diarrhea
- Rapid death
- Swelling around the head, neck and eyes
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Vitamin C & E: Strengthen immune response.
- Amino Acids: Support tissue repair and recovery.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Help combat inflammation
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the Eimeria species, which attack the intestinal lining of chickens. It can impact chickens of all ages, but typically targets younger birds. A coccidiosis vaccine does exist.
Symptoms
- Ruffled feathers
- Diarrhea – often bloody
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Stunted growth
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Probiotics & Prebiotics: Help maintain gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria.
- Vitamin A: Supports immune function and gut integrity.
- Feed with Coccidiostats: Medicated feed can help prevent outbreaks in young chicks.
Marek’s Disease
Marek’s Disease is a viral infection caused by the herpes virus. This highly-contagious disease is one of the most common diseases in backyard flocks and spreads from bird-to-bird through the feather dander.
Symptoms
- Inflammation and tumors in the nerves, spinal column and brain
- Paralysis
- Weight loss
- Immune suppression
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Vitamin E & Selenium: These antioxidants help boost immunity and reduce oxidative stress.
- High-Quality Proteins: Support muscle and immune function.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Help reduce inflammation and support nerve health.
Newcastle Disease
Newcastle Disease is another highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. It is spread through the air and from bird-to-bird and on equipment. Implementing a biosecurity program is the best way to prevent Newcastle, and there is no real treatment.
Symptoms
- Coughing
- Nasal discharge
- Twisted necks
- Decreased egg production & soft-shelled eggs
- Eventual death
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Vitamin A & Zinc: Strengthen the respiratory system.
- Essential Fatty Acids: Help reduce inflammation.
- Electrolytes & Hydration: Necessary during infection to prevent dehydration.
Infectious Bronchitis
Infectious bronchitis is another highly contagious chicken disease most prevalent in younger birds. It is a respiratory disease that does offer a commercial vaccine. Bronchitis is most commonly preventable by biosecurity principles – disinfecting the coop and equipment before bringing in new birds or avoiding introducing new birds altogether. It can also be spread by rodents and other wildlife and rodents, so be sure to have all runs and coops secure.
Symptoms
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Reduced egg production
- Soft-shelled eggs.
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Vitamin D & Calcium: Essential for strong eggshells.
- Protein-Rich Diet: Helps repair respiratory tissues.
- Garlic & Oregano: Have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Fowl Pox
Fowl Pox is a viral disease that can be vaccinated for while birds are young. It is not contagious but causes pain to your flock.
Symptoms
- Scabby lesions on the skin and inside the mouth
- Difficulty eating
- Labored breathing.
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Vitamin A & C: Help with skin healing and immune function.
- High-Quality Proteins: Essential for tissue repair.
- Zinc & Copper: Support skin regeneration.
Bacterial Infections
Several bacterial infections can exist in backyard chicken flocks. Salmonella, Mycoplasma and E. coli are a few of the common bacterial ailments. Bacterial infections can spread to humans either through contact with infected waste or by eating undercooked poultry. Please take caution to always wash hands with soap and warm water after being around your birds and cook poultry until it is done.
Symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Probiotics & Prebiotics: Maintain gut flora balance.
- Garlic & Apple Cider Vinegar: Natural antibacterial agents.
- Adequate Hydration & Electrolytes: Prevent dehydration.
Egg Binding
Egg binding is common in egg-producing hens and occurs when a hen is unable to pass an egg. Once your hens start producing, know they should lay an egg once about every day. If they go more than a 24-hour period, appear to not be moving and seem to be “nesting” in one spot, they could be egg-bound or have an egg stuck in their oviduct.
Symptoms
- Lethargy
- Straining
- Walking wide legged and with apparent pain
- Potentially fatal complications.
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Calcium & Vitamin D3: Essential for strong eggshells and muscle contractions.
- Magnesium: Helps with muscle relaxation and egg passage.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Support reproductive health.
Rickets
Rickets is a bone disorder caused by a deficiency of calcium, phosphorus or Vitamin D. This disorder typically occurs in young, growing chickens while their bones are developing. It is important to give these young chickens fresh, grower feed that has the nutrients they need.
Symptoms
- Weak, deformed bones
- Lameness
- Challenges with walking
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Vitamin D3: Facilitates calcium absorption.
- Calcium & Phosphorus: Support bone strength.
- Balanced Diet with Adequate Sunlight Exposure: Ensures proper bone health.
Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS)
FLHS occurs in overweight hens due to excessive fat deposition in the liver, leading to sudden death from liver rupture. It is caused by high-energy diets with little exercise.
Symptoms
- Obese body condition score
- Pale comb
- Dull feathers
- Extra water intake
- Excessive toenail growth
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Lower Energy Diet: Reduce excessive calorie intake.
- Choline & Methionine: Support fat metabolism.
- Increased Fiber: Helps regulate weight.
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot is a common inflammatory condition caused by bacterial infection in the footpad caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, often due to poor bedding and nutrition.
Symptoms
- Hard, puss-filled abscess on bottom of foot/feet
- Scab on bottom of foot
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Biotin & Zinc: Promote skin and tissue health.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation.
- High-Protein Diet: Supports wound healing.
Perosis
Perosis, also known as slipped tendon, is a leg deformity caused by a deficiency of manganese, choline or niacin or a combination of these. It leads to walking difficulties.
Symptoms
- Short legs
- Lameness
- Distortion of hock
Proactive Nutritional Support
- Manganese & Choline: Essential for tendon development.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Supports joint health.
- Balanced Diet: Ensures proper bone and tendon formation.
A Final Word
Nobody wants to see their flocks suffer from chicken diseases. Even a mild case can be heart-wrenching. That’s why we always encourage you to consult with a trusted veterinarian at the first sign of sickness. As you can tell, several chicken diseases are highly contagious, so the sooner you can diagnose, quarantine and treat, the better off your birds and others will be.
What about Culling?
Oftentimes, culling or removing sick or weak animals, is the best way to eliminate sick chickens and the further spread of chicken diseases. Culling could be eradication of the entire flock, or only the affected birds. Once again, check with your veterinarian for its recommendation. If your flock has been diagnosed with any of the following, it is probably best to humanely cull the flock or at least the affected birds:
- Avian Flu
- Marek’s Disease
- Newcastle Disease
- Infectious Bronchitis
- Bacterial Infections
- Perosis
Backyard Boost Can Help
Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chicken diseases. A well-balanced diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and fatty acids ensures optimal growth, immune function and disease resistance. Providing high-quality feed, clean water and supplemental nutrients can significantly enhance the health and productivity of your flock.
Just like humans, good health and proper nutrition work closely together. We know that about 70% of the immune response is found in the gut. A vital part of the relationship between healthy immunity and the prevention of disease or illnesses in the flock is proper nutrition. First, be sure to provide your flock with fresh, nutritional feed and water each day.
Next, supplement your feed regimen with a high-quality supplement from Backyard Boost. Nutritional supplements like Backyard Boost help keep your hens healthy and happy and help them convert and absorb the nutrients in the feed you are already supplying them. Additionally, the nutrients they provide can potentially help prevent some chicken diseases by increasing immunity and keeping your flock healthy.
Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials
Backyard Boost Daily Essentials is a pelleted protein supplement for poultry designed to maximize digestibility and egg production. Daily Essentials contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and AO-Biotics® EQE, a postbiotic research-proven to enhance egg quality. Additionally, this supplement provides nutrients needed for overall well-being.
Backyard Boost Daily Essentials is the first supplement for backyard chicken enthusiasts to include AO-Biotics EQE, the first-and-only postbiotic created specifically for layers. EQE, or Egg Quality Enhancer, has three primary benefits:
- More sellable eggs
- Improved egg mass
- Increased productive life span
With the prebiotic, postbiotic and additional protein working together in this daily supplement, you can start seeing happy and healthy hens, which means hens that are laying anything but ordinary eggs.
Backyard Boost Defense
Backyard Boost Defense is a liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response. This green liquid also includes Amaferm. It provides nutrients needed in times of stress and promotes water intake and hydration. In addition, it contains MOS, to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system.
Easily added to water daily for best freshness, Defense can be used during the added stresses or transitional times that include seasonal changes throughout the year. New, young chicks or mature chickens added to the flock benefit with supported digestion and a healthy immune response during the annual and normal process of molting.
Get your Backyard Boost Today!
We hope you find this guide to chicken diseases easy to follow and helpful, especially when you need to identify symptoms within your flock. Consulting with a veterinarian and providing fresh, clean water and good nutrition from Backyard Boost is a great start to disease prevention.
Get your hands on industry-leading backyard chicken supplements now!
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