Sick Birds
Signs of Sickness
It’s important to know what normal appearance and behaviour looks like for your birds so that you can more easily spot the subtle signs that your birds may be getting sick. The sooner we can work out the problem and provide appropriate treatment, the better the outcome for your birds.
Attitude
Are your birds much quieter than normal and avoiding interactions with you and other birds?
Appearance
Do your birds seem a little more ruffled than normal or are they hunched, crouched, or droopy?
Food and Water Intake
Have there been any changes in the amount your birds are eating or drinking?
Droppings
Have you noticed any changes to the colour, consistency, odour, and volume of the droppings your birds are producing?
Breathing
Are your birds coughing, sneezing, or showing discharge from their eyes? Are they having to make more effort to breathe?
Movement
Is your bird having trouble moving around or wobbling more than normal when walking?
Injuries
Have you noticed any wounds, swellings, or fractures anywhere on your bird?
Eggs
Are your eggs thinner, softer, or more watery than normal or is your bird no longer producing eggs?
What’s bugging your birds?
First Aid Kits
Have you got the supplies you need on hand to treat your birds in an emergency?
- The number to reach your veterinarian: ______________________________
- Euthanasia Guide
- Separate cage /pen or kennel to separate a sick or injured bird from the flock
- Spare heat lamp to warm a chilled bird that needs to be separated, or use as backup for brooder supplies
- Band-aids to correct straddle leg in chicks
- Sterile suture kit with dissolvable thread
- Tweezers to remove debris or inspect wounds
- Rubber/latex gloves to protect yourself and your chicken from spreading any bacteria infection or disease
- Gauze
- Adhesive cloth bandaging tape
- Instant vitamin mix and electrolytes for dehydrated birds.