Uncommon Chicken Diseases

Diagnosing diseases in chickens can be tricky because several of them share common symptoms. You should always call your vet at the first sign of illness, but there are a few symptoms of the uncommon chicken diseases you might recognize in your own flock.

  1. Types

    • There are 4 main categories of disease in chickens. They are genetic, dietary, bacterial and viral. Most diseases you will encounter in your flock will fall under one of these groups.

    Genetic

    • Two uncommon diseases caused by genetics are Ascites and Sudden Acute Death Syndrome (SADS). Both diseases are a result of breeding for rapid weight gain. There is no treatment for either, and both are fatal. With SADS, your chicken will fall over dead with a sudden onset heart attack, usually at feeding time. Ascites (also called "water belly") strikes when the growth of the body surpasses the legs' ability to hold the weight. Fluid builds up in the abdomen, causing distension, followed by a reluctance to move and then death.

    Dietary

    • Most dietary disorders are caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals. These are easily prevented and treated. Runny nose, weakness and ruffled feathers are symptoms of most all dietary deficiencies. Vitamin E deficiency (also caused "crazy chick disease") will cause a rapid contraction and relaxation of the leg muscles and tremors. Treatment and prevention is simply a vitamin and mineral supplement added to the feed or water. Recovery is rapid, if treated early. If left untreated, the chickens will die.

    Bacterial

    • By far, the biggest cause of uncommon chicken disease is bacteria. Bacillary white diarrhoea is caused by salmonella. Chickens with this disease have a pasted vent. It has a 100 percent mortality rate in chicks, but adult birds usually recover well. Facial swelling, diarrhea, anorexia and watery eyes are signs of two other bacterial infections, red skin and infectious coryza. With proper anti-bacterial treatment, the recovery rate is high with both these infections.

    Viral

    • Viruses are a big cause for concern when you're raising chickens. Viral disease tends to be among some of the most contagious ailments among chickens. Most chickens will recover on their own from a viral infection, but types of viruses debilitate and kill. Pale chick syndrome has a 50 percent mortality rate and stunts the growth of the survivors. Blue wing disease causes discoloration of the skin on the wings and carries a 60 percent mortality rate. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help treat most chicken viral diseases.

    Warning

    • When your flock shows signs of illness, always consult with a veterinarian immediately. Some diseases are highly contagious and spread rapidly through your flock. Always wash your hands after handling chickens, because a few chicken diseases are transmittable to humans.