Frequently Asked Questions

Marek's disease is a dreaded illness that can be contracted by chickens nearly anywhere in the world. It is almost always fatal, and even birds that survive will be continue to be carriers their entire life. Most healthy birds are capable of fighting off the virus so symptoms do not develop, but in times of stress the virus may overwhelm their defenses and they may become symptomatic. We offer a vaccination for Marek's disease, which can greatly reduce mortality in a flock if the disease is contracted. Read on to find out more. Marek's Disease Also called Neurolymphomatosis, MD, range...

Unlike most diseases, Encephalomalacia (try saying that three times quickly!), is not caused by a virus, bacterium, or fungus. Also known as "crazy chick disease," it is caused by a Vitamin E deficiency which results in neurological damage over time. You can keep this from ever happening to your flock by making sure they have free choice access to nutritionally-complete feeds appropriate to their age. Read on to find out more: Encephalomalacia Also called Crazy chick disease Prevalence Rare, particularly so in backyard flocks with access to pasture. Signs General signs - Sudden loss of balance, circling, head shaking or...

Nutritional Myopathy--which can cause chickens to have muscular degeneration or slowed growth--is caused by a lack of vitamin E, along with a deficiency of methionine and cysteine in a flock's diet. To prevent this from happening to your flock, make sure you feed them a complete, nutritionally-balanced feed, and not just scratch or kitchen scraps. Read on to find out more. Nutritional Myopathy Also called White muscle disease, Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy Prevalence Uncommon Signs General signs - Muscular degeneration, slow growth. Cardinal or diagnostic signs - Muscular degeneration occurs primarily in breast and legs. Necropsy shows white muscle striations. Cause/s...

When feed gets wet, it can grow mold or other fungi that can produce toxins that are dangerous or even deadly for chickens. When a bird ingests those toxins, the result can be Mycotoxicosis, which can produce varied symptoms among your flock. The simplest preventative? Keep your feed dry. Read on to find out more information: Mycotoxicosis Also called Aflatoxicosis, Aflatoxicosis, Ergotism, Fusariotoxicosis, Oosporein Mycotoxicosis, other mycotoxicoses (consumption of toxins produced by fungi) Prevalence Sporadic Signs General signs - Various, depending on the type of toxins ingested, but often watery droppings, egg quality issues, lesions, slowed growth or weight loss....

Giving your flock plenty of space and a clean, dry, coop and run area with little stress is more than just a luxury for your birds; it's also a great way to help protect them against many diseases, including Spirochetosis. Spirochetosis can be caused by the Brachyspira or the Borrelia bacterium. Both are treatable using antibiotics--under a veterinarian's care. This article examines the type caused by Brachysprira bacteria: Fowl Spirochetosis (Brachyspira) Also called AIS, Avian Intestinal Spirochetosis, Avian Spirochetosis Prevalence Common in some areas Signs General signs - Sometimes no symptoms. Other times, symptoms may include lack of appetite, lethargy,...

Spirochetosis is a tick-born bacterial disease that is rare in the United States (thankfully!). Spirochetosis can be caused by the Brachyspira or the Borrelia bacterium. Both are treatable using antibiotics--under a veterinarian's care. This article examines the type caused by Borrelia bacteria: Fowl Spirochetosis (Borrelia) Also called AIS, Avian Intestinal Spirochetosis, Avian Spirochetosis Prevalence Uncommon in North America, but more so in the south because the primary tick that spreads the disease prefers a warm climate. Climate change is likely to make this infection more common in the future. Signs General signs - Sometimes no symptoms. Other times, symptoms may...

Airsacculitis--or inflammation of the air sac--can be caused by many different bacteria and will present symptoms in chickens that look something look bronchitis or pneumonia in humans. There are many other respiratory illnesses that present similar symptoms, however, so it's always a good idea to get a veterinarian's assessment to make sure you have the proper diagnosis and treatment plan for your bird. Read on to find out more: Airsacculitis Also called Air sac disease, air sac infection, air sac syndrome, sac disease Prevalence Common Signs General signs - Coughing, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, weight loss or stunted growth,...

When your chicken is showing neurological symptoms, there are a number of chicken illnesses that could be causing the problem. We know how worrisome it can be when a pet chicken is sick! Here's a quick overview of the most common chicken illnesses that cause neurological symptoms, including symptoms that may be mistaken for neurological. Please click on the links for more details about each illness. Chicken illnesses with neurological symptoms Avian Encephalomyelitis - Symptoms of this chicken illness loss of coordination, inability to stand, head shaking and other neurological issues Botulism - Symptoms of this chicken illness can include...