Backyard chickens are adept at hiding illness until they are very sick, a survival trait from the wild to avoid drawing predator attention. Learning the early signs of common UK poultry ailments is vital for swift intervention.
1. Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)
The bane of every chicken keeper. Red mites are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that live in the cracks of the wooden coop, emerging at night to feed on your sleeping hens.
- Symptoms: Hens refusing to enter the coop at night, pale combs and wattles (due to anemia), lethargy, a drop in egg production, and tiny grey or red specks swarming under roosting bars.
- Treatment: You are treating the coop, not just the bird. Completely strip the coop, pressure wash it, and apply a specialized poultry mite spray (like Smite). Once dry, dust all crevices and the dust bath thoroughly with Diatomaceous Earth (DE), a natural powder that destroys the mites’ exoskeletons. For severe infestations, a vet can prescribe a systemic treatment (like Exzolt) added to their drinking water.
2. Mycoplasma (Chronic Respiratory Disease)
A highly contagious bacterial infection causing respiratory distress. Once infected, birds become lifelong carriers, flaring up during times of stress or cold weather.
- Symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, rattling, or “gurgling” breathing sounds. You will frequently see swollen faces, bubbly or foamy eyes, and nasal discharge.
- Treatment: There are no home remedies for Mycoplasma. Veterinary intervention is mandatory. A vet will prescribe specific poultry antibiotics (typically via water medication) such as Tylan or Denagard to suppress the outbreak, though it cannot cure the carrier status. Strict biosecurity prevents further spread.
3. Marek’s Disease
A tragic and fatal viral disease that causes massive nerve damage and tumour growth. It is highly resilient in the environment and spreads via infected feather dander. It primarily affects younger birds (12–25 weeks).
- Symptoms: The classic presentation is progressive paralysis resulting in the “splits”—one leg pointing forward, one dragging backward. You may also see dropped wings, wry-neck (head twisted backward), weight loss, or an irregular, grey pupil resulting in blindness.
- Treatment: Heartbreakingly, there is no cure or treatment for Marek’s. Humane euthanasia by a vet is the only option. The best defense is buying pullets that have been vaccinated against Marek’s at the hatchery on day one.
4. Egg Bound
A mechanical emergency where a hen has an egg stuck in her reproductive tract, unable to lay it. If unresolved, it is rapidly fatal.
- Symptoms: The hen will look visibly distressed, often adopting a wide-legged “penguin stance.” She will repeatedly visit the nest box, strain without producing an egg, appear lethargic, and the area around her vent may look swollen.
- Emergency Treatment: Bring her indoors immediately to a warm, quiet, dark space. Prepare a warm (feel it against your wrist, not hot) bath with Epsom salts and let her soak her lower half for 15-20 minutes to relax the muscles. Then, gently apply a plain lubricant (like Vaseline) just inside the vent. Place her in a dark, warm dog crate to rest. If she does not pass the egg within a few hours, immediate veterinary assistance is required. Never crush the egg inside her, as the sharp shell shards will cause fatal internal lacerations.
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Jenkins, MRCVS
Dr. Jenkins is a fully practicing veterinary surgeon in the UK with over 15 years of clinical experience in small animal medicine and canine behaviour. She reviews and verifies our health content to ensure medical accuracy.
