This resource has been fully reviewed and updatedA member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff has given this resource a full review and provided updates where necessary. by a member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff as of March 29, 2022
Much like the common advice given to humans, it’s important to regularly check the health of chickens with a routine physical examination rather than waiting until a bird is showing signs of distress or illness. Not only will this help you get to know what a healthy chicken looks and feels like, but regular handling may help in keeping individuals calm in more stressful situations. Be prepared to check chickens over at least once a month*! For more information on why regular health examinations are important, check out our resource here.
Supplies
Before conducting a health examination, it’s helpful to gather any supplies you may need and have them arranged nearby for easy access. Having everything you will likely need nearby can make the examination go more smoothly and can reduce the amount of time the chicken needs to be restrained. If you are performing an exam on someone with a known health issue, such as bumblefoot, you may need other supplies, like those needed to wrap a foot. Otherwise, supplies to have on hand during chicken health exam include:
- Recordkeeping supplies
- Nail trimmers and/or dremel tool
- Styptic powder or other blood stop product
- Gauze squares (non-sterile is typically fine, but there may be times when sterile gauze is necessary)
- Exam gloves
- Bandage scissors
- Silicone nail covers and provided glue (if planning to keep rooster residents’ spurs covered)
- Chicken-safe topical disinfectant (such as dilute chlorhexidine or dilute betadine)
- Saline flush
- Chicken-safe ointments or creams such as a triple antibiotic ointment or silver sulfadiazine cream 1% (SSD)
- Cotton-tipped applicators
- Tweezers
- Scale
- Headlamp, penlight, or other flashlight
- Towels
Conducting the Exam
Before beginning the actual exam, it’s a good idea to observe the individual without restraining them. Take note of their behavior, activity level, general appearance, how they are standing, and how they are moving. You can read more about “normal” versus potentially concerning chicken resident observations here.
During regularly scheduled health examinations, your goal is to check every inch of the chicken. It’s helpful to have a general order and routine that you follow each time, because this can help ensure you do not miss a step. However, because some areas naturally flow into others, it might not be helpful to think of the exam as a linear list of areas to check. Instead, we think of it more as a choreographed routine, where checking one area flows into checking another area. By checking individual areas or body parts in isolationIn medical and health-related circumstances, isolation represents the act or policy of separating an individual with a contagious health condition from other residents in order to prevent the spread of disease. In non-medical circumstances, isolation represents the act of preventing an individual from being near their companions due to forced separation. Forcibly isolating an individual to live alone and apart from their companions can result in boredom, loneliness, anxiety, and distress., you may miss important findings in the gray areas in between. You should find a system that works for you, but we like starting at the feet and working our way up the legs, then towards the tail, and then up to the head, focusing on specific areas. Then we work our way back down towards the tail, checking the chicken’s skin and feathers on the rest of their body before rotating them so we can more easily check the other side. It’s imperative that you continually monitor how the chicken is doing by watching their breathing and their color and taking a break if they appear overly stressed.
Up next, we’ll go over important components of a health examination:
Check Their Feet
While this part of the exam is important for all chickens, for large breed chickens thoroughly checking their feet, especially the bottom of their feet, is one of the most important parts of the health exam. While not a condition limited to large breed chickens, bumblefoot can be quite common in large breed chickens and early intervention significantly improves the prognosis.
Check for any bumps, lumps, swelling, scabs, cuts, or pressure sores on both the top and bottom of the chicken’s feet and toes. Early signs of bumblefoot include the skin on the foot pad becoming smooth, shiny, and/or red, so look closely for any of these signs. Individuals with heat, swelling, scabbing, or discharge should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Don’t remove scabs unless you have been trained by an expert and are very experienced in evaluating foot conditions in chickens! If you find a scab covering a swollen and hot or fluid-filled area, or if there is discharge seeping out from the scabbed area, you should have the chicken evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
In cold climates, red and swollen toe tips, blackened skin, or hard black scabby toe tips could be a sign of frostbite. If you suspect frostbite, be sure to move the chicken into a warmer area and consult with your veterinarian. At the very least, the chicken will require pain medications, but may need antibiotics, or even surgical intervention, depending on the extent of the damage. If a chicken shows signs of frostbite, be sure to make changes to their living spaces to protect the rest of your residents.
While bulges on the top of the foot, in between the toes, could be a sign of infection, it could also be the result of dirt or mud packed into foot crevices, which is not an uncommon occurrence in large breed chickens. If you find a resident with a lump in this area, you can start by applying very light pressure to the skin on the top of their foot while watching the bottom of the foot, which should allow you to determine if the cause of the lump is mud pack or not. Remove any mud that has become trapped in this crevice with gentle pressure and the use of wet gauze or cotton-tipped applicators. Be very careful not to damage the skin while attempting to clean this area.
Make sure that the chicken’s toes are elongated and straight; twisted and folded toes are generally not a good sign, but you’ll need to familiarize yourself with what is normal for each individual. Some chickens may come in with bent toes when they are rescued, possibly from an old injury, and may never have issues or need any treatment, but if a chicken had straight toes last month and twisted toes this month, then you should consult with a veterinarian. Also be aware that a chicken with severe arthritis may slowly develop twisted toes over time.
Don’t be alarmed if one of your residents has an extra toe – certain chicken breeds, including Dorkings, Faverolles, Houdans, Sultans, and Silkies, have five toes, with an extra toe that grows above the hallux toe (back toe) with an upward curve. This toenail will never touch the ground and may need frequent trimming.
The chicken should have smooth and non-raised scales on their feet. Raised scales could be a sign of scaly leg mites, though sometimes older individuals, especially large breed roosters, may develop slightly raised scales where their foot and the front of their leg meet.
You can check a chicken’s natural perching reflex on both feet by placing a finger under their feet and ensuring that they grip around it.
Check their nails to ensure that they’re normal length and even. You may have to trim or file them if overgrown.
Check for any bumps, lumps, swelling, scabs, cuts, or pressure sores on both the top and bottom of the chicken’s feet and toes. Early signs of bumblefoot include the skin on the foot pad becoming smooth, shiny, and/or red, so look closely for any of these signs. Individuals with heat, swelling, scabbing, or discharge should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Don’t remove scabs unless you have been trained by an expert and are very experienced in evaluating foot conditions in chickens! If you find a scab covering a swollen and hot or fluid-filled area, or if there is discharge seeping out from the scabbed area, you should have the chicken evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
In cold climates, red and swollen toe tips, blackened skin, or hard black scabby toe tips could be a sign of frostbite. If you suspect frostbite, be sure to move the chicken into a warmer area and consult with your veterinarian. At the very least, the chicken will require pain medications, but may need antibiotics, or even surgical intervention, depending on the extent of the damage. If a chicken shows signs of frostbite, be sure to make changes to their living spaces to protect the rest of your residents.
While bulges on the top of the foot, in between the toes, could be a sign of infection, it could also be the result of dirt or mud packed into foot crevices, which is not an uncommon occurrence in large breed chickens. If you find a resident with a lump in this area, you can start by applying very light pressure to the skin on the top of their foot while watching the bottom of the foot, which should allow you to determine if the cause of the lump is mud pack or not. Remove any mud that has become trapped in this crevice with gentle pressure and the use of wet gauze or cotton-tipped applicators. Be very careful not to damage the skin while attempting to clean this area.
Make sure that the chicken’s toes are elongated and straight; twisted and folded toes are generally not a good sign, but you’ll need to familiarize yourself with what is normal for each individual. Some chickens may come in with bent toes when they are rescued, possibly from an old injury, and may never have issues or need any treatment, but if a chicken had straight toes last month and twisted toes this month, then you should consult with a veterinarian. Also be aware that a chicken with severe arthritis may slowly develop twisted toes over time.
Don’t be alarmed if one of your residents has an extra toe – certain chicken breeds, including Dorkings, Faverolles, Houdans, Sultans, and Silkies, have five toes, with an extra toe that grows above the hallux toe (back toe) with an upward curve. This toenail will never touch the ground and may need frequent trimming.
The chicken should have smooth and non-raised scales on their feet. Raised scales could be a sign of scaly leg mites, though sometimes older individuals, especially large breed roosters, may develop slightly raised scales where their foot and the front of their leg meet.
You can check a chicken’s natural perching reflex on both feet by placing a finger under their feet and ensuring that they grip around it.
Check their nails to ensure that they’re normal length and even. You may have to trim or file them if overgrown.
Check Their Legs
The chicken’s legs should have smooth scales that aren’t lifted away from their body. If they’re flaky, crusty, or raised, they might have scaly leg mites. Their legs shouldn’t have any cuts, missing scales, or lumps. If they have feathers on their legs, make sure to check them for broken pin feathers and any issues the feathers may be hiding. If their legs are raw and painful, they might have scald, which is a result of poor housing conditions leading to ammonia burns. This requires medical treatment.
Check for any signs of irritation on the hock1: the tarsal joint or region in the hind limb of a digitigrade quadruped (such as the horse) corresponding to the human ankle but elevated and bending backward 2: a joint of a fowl's leg that corresponds to the hock of a quadruped, which could be the beginning of a pressure sore. This is especially common in large breed chickens who spend large amounts of time laying down due to mobility issues or obesity. Hock sores can start out as superficial scabs and develop into deep wounds that can become infected. Be sure to seek veterinary care if a resident is developing hock sores.
Carefully check their range of motion, especially in their hocks, and check for crepitus (creaking, cracking, crunching, popping, or grating), pain, resistance, heat, or swelling. Because of the conformation of their legs, assessing range of motion issues in their knees and hips is difficult. Hot, swollen, or scabby joints could be a sign of infection. Consult with your veterinarian immediately. Never attempt to drain infected joints!
If the chicken has a leg band, be sure to check it to ensure it fits properly and is not causing any issues.
Most roosters (and some hens) have spurs, which are horny growths on the lower back part of their legs. These can grow long, just like nails, and should be trimmed or filed.
Check for any signs of irritation on the hock1: the tarsal joint or region in the hind limb of a digitigrade quadruped (such as the horse) corresponding to the human ankle but elevated and bending backward 2: a joint of a fowl's leg that corresponds to the hock of a quadruped, which could be the beginning of a pressure sore. This is especially common in large breed chickens who spend large amounts of time laying down due to mobility issues or obesity. Hock sores can start out as superficial scabs and develop into deep wounds that can become infected. Be sure to seek veterinary care if a resident is developing hock sores.
Carefully check their range of motion, especially in their hocks, and check for crepitus (creaking, cracking, crunching, popping, or grating), pain, resistance, heat, or swelling. Because of the conformation of their legs, assessing range of motion issues in their knees and hips is difficult. Hot, swollen, or scabby joints could be a sign of infection. Consult with your veterinarian immediately. Never attempt to drain infected joints!
If the chicken has a leg band, be sure to check it to ensure it fits properly and is not causing any issues.
Most roosters (and some hens) have spurs, which are horny growths on the lower back part of their legs. These can grow long, just like nails, and should be trimmed or filed.
Check Their Vent
A chicken’s vent is the external opening of the cloaca and is where both digestive and urinary waste, as well as eggs are released from a chicken’s body. It is located just below the base of the tail. The vent should be clean and moist (but not wet) and should be the same color as the rest of their skin. It shouldn’t have any discharge, excessive accumulations of fecal matter around it, nor should it be crusty, bloody, or dry.
Ensure that it doesn’t have any mites, lice, worms, or other parasites. Check for wounds, especially rat wounds, as this is where they tend to bite; the presence of rat wounds is a major red flag that you must take immediate steps to control your rodent population and protect your residents before they cause more damage. Read more about compassionate ways to respond to rodent-related issues here. You may need to move chickens to a new location, such as inside your home, for the time being in order to keep them safe.
Make sure the vent isn’t irritated or prolapsed. A prolapsing chicken should be set down immediately. In many cases, if there is just a small amount of prolapsed tissue, it may go back in once the chicken is put down, with no intervention on your part. If this is not the case, contact your veterinarian for guidance. Be aware that other chickens will likely peck at another bird’s prolapsed tissue (especially if there is any sign of blood in the area), causing damage, so a chicken with a prolapsed vent should be kept away from other birds. When moving a chicken with a prolapsed vent, it’s safest to do so using a carrier, especially for bigger chickens. Sometimes the stress of handling causes the bird to further strain and prolapsethe falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations more tissue. If carrying a smaller chicken, keeping one hand firmly behind their vent to prevent further prolapsing can be helpful.
Anyone with feces-covered feathers should be cleaned and/or have the dirty feathers trimmed using blunt-tipped scissors. This must be done carefully to ensure you do not accidentally cut their skin. It’s good practice to always evaluate a hen’s belly if you find that they have fecal matting under their vent, as this can be the result of a distended abdomen. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if anyone has excessive fecal matting, diarrhea, or is showing other signs of concern.
Ensure that it doesn’t have any mites, lice, worms, or other parasites. Check for wounds, especially rat wounds, as this is where they tend to bite; the presence of rat wounds is a major red flag that you must take immediate steps to control your rodent population and protect your residents before they cause more damage. Read more about compassionate ways to respond to rodent-related issues here. You may need to move chickens to a new location, such as inside your home, for the time being in order to keep them safe.
Make sure the vent isn’t irritated or prolapsed. A prolapsing chicken should be set down immediately. In many cases, if there is just a small amount of prolapsed tissue, it may go back in once the chicken is put down, with no intervention on your part. If this is not the case, contact your veterinarian for guidance. Be aware that other chickens will likely peck at another bird’s prolapsed tissue (especially if there is any sign of blood in the area), causing damage, so a chicken with a prolapsed vent should be kept away from other birds. When moving a chicken with a prolapsed vent, it’s safest to do so using a carrier, especially for bigger chickens. Sometimes the stress of handling causes the bird to further strain and prolapsethe falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations more tissue. If carrying a smaller chicken, keeping one hand firmly behind their vent to prevent further prolapsing can be helpful.
Anyone with feces-covered feathers should be cleaned and/or have the dirty feathers trimmed using blunt-tipped scissors. This must be done carefully to ensure you do not accidentally cut their skin. It’s good practice to always evaluate a hen’s belly if you find that they have fecal matting under their vent, as this can be the result of a distended abdomen. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if anyone has excessive fecal matting, diarrhea, or is showing other signs of concern.
Check Their Abdomen
For this part of the exam, it’s important to take the chicken’s breed, sex, and egg-laying status into account, as these factors affect both the size and feel of a chicken’s abdomen. Unless you are thoroughly trained and have years of experience, you shouldn’t attempt to diagnose health conditions based on your abdominal findings. Instead, familiarize yourself with what you should and shouldn’t feel, and then consult with a veterinarian about any abnormalities. They will likely recommend further imaging in order to more accurately assess the situation.
Non-Large BreedA domesticated animal breed that has not been specifically engineered to grow as quickly as possible for the purpose of human consumption. In resources at The Open Sanctuary Project, "Heritage" breeds of turkeys, for instance, are "non-large breed", even if they are physically quite big. Roosters
Non-large breed roosters should have a very small abdomen that does not extend out past the vent at all. It should feel soft, and with the exception of the gizzardthe muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus near the end of the keel, you should not be able to feel any defined structures. A rooster with a distended, hard, or fluidy belly should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as they could have a serious issue such as heart failure or cancer.
Non-Large Breed Hens
Because of the prevalence of reproductive issues in hens, you will want to pay extra attention to their abdomen, even if they are routinely implanted. It can take time to become familiar with what a “normal” hen’s abdomen feels like, and to further complicate things, an actively laying hen’s abdomen size often changes with the season, becoming more distended in the early spring, when egg production increases, and becoming smaller in the late fall/early winter, when egg production slows down. These nuances can take time to become familiar with, so be sure to take good notes during each health examination, and review significant findings with your veterinarian or another care expert.
When checking their abdomen, be gentle. There is a chance someone could have a fully shelled egg in their oviduct, and you do not want to break it! Hens who are not laying, due to implantation or season, should have a small abdomen, like a rooster’s. A hen who is currently laying may have an abdomen that is slightly distended and soft. A chicken’s abdomen should never feel fluidy, and with the exception of an egg and possibly the gizzard, you should not be able to feel any distinct structures. A tight, fluidy abdomen could indicate a serious health issue like egg yolk peritonitis, reproductive tract cancer, or heart failure. Hard, movable masses or a distended belly that is rock hard could be indicative of an impacted oviduct. If you feel thick or hard nodular structures that extend back into the chicken’s body, you could be feeling unhealthy intestines resulting from an infection or cancer.
In some cases, hens bred for heavy production may develop a pendulous abdomen. Rather than being distended outward and beyond the vent, a pendulous abdomen hangs straight down and is typically very soft. This could be the result of a hernia or weakened muscles from constant egg laying. Your veterinarian can help determine if the issue is concerning or is simply the hen’s new normal. Hens with pendulous bellies can go on to develop reproductive tract issues, so it is important to continue to monitor their abdomen for any further changes.
Large Breed Chickens
Compared to the abdomen of a non-large breed chicken, large breed individuals tend to have a semi-firm (but not hard) and slightly distended abdomen. Because of this, it can be more difficult to evaluate a large breed chicken’s abdomen for signs of concern. As with non-large breed chickens, be gentle when checking their abdomen, and keep in mind that it is possible that a hen could have a fully shelled egg in her oviduct. While some non-large breed hens may be more at risk of certain reproductive diseases, keep in mind that any female chicken, including large breed hens, can develop reproductive issues. Contact your veterinarian if you note that anyone has a fluidy, tight, or rock-hard abdomen; an abdomen that is larger than normal; if you detect masses or nodular structures in the abdomen; or if someone has an abdomen that is not uniform in shape or has an area that bulges out past the rest of the abdomen. Abnormalities in the abdomen could indicate various health issues including heart or reproductive tract issues.
Non-Large BreedA domesticated animal breed that has not been specifically engineered to grow as quickly as possible for the purpose of human consumption. In resources at The Open Sanctuary Project, "Heritage" breeds of turkeys, for instance, are "non-large breed", even if they are physically quite big. Roosters
Non-large breed roosters should have a very small abdomen that does not extend out past the vent at all. It should feel soft, and with the exception of the gizzardthe muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus near the end of the keel, you should not be able to feel any defined structures. A rooster with a distended, hard, or fluidy belly should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as they could have a serious issue such as heart failure or cancer.
Non-Large Breed Hens
Because of the prevalence of reproductive issues in hens, you will want to pay extra attention to their abdomen, even if they are routinely implanted. It can take time to become familiar with what a “normal” hen’s abdomen feels like, and to further complicate things, an actively laying hen’s abdomen size often changes with the season, becoming more distended in the early spring, when egg production increases, and becoming smaller in the late fall/early winter, when egg production slows down. These nuances can take time to become familiar with, so be sure to take good notes during each health examination, and review significant findings with your veterinarian or another care expert.
When checking their abdomen, be gentle. There is a chance someone could have a fully shelled egg in their oviduct, and you do not want to break it! Hens who are not laying, due to implantation or season, should have a small abdomen, like a rooster’s. A hen who is currently laying may have an abdomen that is slightly distended and soft. A chicken’s abdomen should never feel fluidy, and with the exception of an egg and possibly the gizzard, you should not be able to feel any distinct structures. A tight, fluidy abdomen could indicate a serious health issue like egg yolk peritonitis, reproductive tract cancer, or heart failure. Hard, movable masses or a distended belly that is rock hard could be indicative of an impacted oviduct. If you feel thick or hard nodular structures that extend back into the chicken’s body, you could be feeling unhealthy intestines resulting from an infection or cancer.
In some cases, hens bred for heavy production may develop a pendulous abdomen. Rather than being distended outward and beyond the vent, a pendulous abdomen hangs straight down and is typically very soft. This could be the result of a hernia or weakened muscles from constant egg laying. Your veterinarian can help determine if the issue is concerning or is simply the hen’s new normal. Hens with pendulous bellies can go on to develop reproductive tract issues, so it is important to continue to monitor their abdomen for any further changes.
Large Breed Chickens
Compared to the abdomen of a non-large breed chicken, large breed individuals tend to have a semi-firm (but not hard) and slightly distended abdomen. Because of this, it can be more difficult to evaluate a large breed chicken’s abdomen for signs of concern. As with non-large breed chickens, be gentle when checking their abdomen, and keep in mind that it is possible that a hen could have a fully shelled egg in her oviduct. While some non-large breed hens may be more at risk of certain reproductive diseases, keep in mind that any female chicken, including large breed hens, can develop reproductive issues. Contact your veterinarian if you note that anyone has a fluidy, tight, or rock-hard abdomen; an abdomen that is larger than normal; if you detect masses or nodular structures in the abdomen; or if someone has an abdomen that is not uniform in shape or has an area that bulges out past the rest of the abdomen. Abnormalities in the abdomen could indicate various health issues including heart or reproductive tract issues.
Check Their Preen Gland
At the base of the chicken’s tail is the preen, or uropygial, gland. Be sure to familiarize yourself with what a normal chicken preen glanda large gland that occurs in most birds, opens dorsally at the base of the tail feathers, and usually secretes an oily fluid which the bird uses in preening their feathers (also known as an oil gland or uropygial gland) looks like – it looks different than that of a duckUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated duck breeds, not wild ducks, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource. or gooseUnless explicitly mentioned, we are referring to domesticated goose breeds, not wild geese, who may have unique needs not covered by this resource.! Aside from the gland itself, which has small lobes on each side, it should not have any additional lumps, and the lobes should be small, fairly symmetrical, and soft. Orange-tinged oily discharge from the tip of the gland is normal, but there should be no other areas with discharge. Ensure that it does not have any parasites around it, but it is not uncommon for this area to be a bit dirty if the chicken has access to dirt for dust bathing.
An enlarged preen gland could indicate impaction or cancer. Impaction can often be handled with a warm compress periodically applied to their preen gland, but it should be evaluated by an expert before beginning treatment. Using pressure to express a preen gland that appears large can result in damage – this is a technique that should be demonstrated to you and should only be used when an expert has assessed that the cause of the enlargement is indeed an impaction and not something else.
An enlarged preen gland could indicate impaction or cancer. Impaction can often be handled with a warm compress periodically applied to their preen gland, but it should be evaluated by an expert before beginning treatment. Using pressure to express a preen gland that appears large can result in damage – this is a technique that should be demonstrated to you and should only be used when an expert has assessed that the cause of the enlargement is indeed an impaction and not something else.
Check Their Wings
Take a look at the chicken’s wings. You can check the wing that is facing away from your body now, and then check the other wing later after you rotate the chicken to their other side. The wings should be held close to their body, be generally symmetrical, and there should be movement in the wings’ joints when they flex. A droopy wing can be a sign of a fracture.
The chicken’s wings should be checked for cuts, swelling, and other injuries. If their wing tips are scabby or beat up, this could indicate they have a mobility issue and are using their wings for balance and support. Make sure to check the area underneath their wings for lice and mites, as well as any injuries – this is a common place to find mounting wounds on hens. If you find mounting wounds, be sure to investigate the cause after addressing the wounds. Sometimes, a mounting wound is a sign that the rooster the hen is living with needs to have his spurs trimmed or covered. Other times, it could be a sign that the rooster is too big or too rough for the hen or that you need to increase the hen-to-rooster ratio. If a large breed hen is getting mounting wounds, this likely means that the rooster she is living with is too large (you can read more about safe flock arrangements for large breed chickens here).
The chicken’s wings should be checked for cuts, swelling, and other injuries. If their wing tips are scabby or beat up, this could indicate they have a mobility issue and are using their wings for balance and support. Make sure to check the area underneath their wings for lice and mites, as well as any injuries – this is a common place to find mounting wounds on hens. If you find mounting wounds, be sure to investigate the cause after addressing the wounds. Sometimes, a mounting wound is a sign that the rooster the hen is living with needs to have his spurs trimmed or covered. Other times, it could be a sign that the rooster is too big or too rough for the hen or that you need to increase the hen-to-rooster ratio. If a large breed hen is getting mounting wounds, this likely means that the rooster she is living with is too large (you can read more about safe flock arrangements for large breed chickens here).
Check Their Breast And Keel
The chicken’s breast should be blister-free and firm. Different breeds of chickens have very different body types, so be sure to consider the individual at all points of the health examination, but especially when checking their keel (also called the breastbone or sternum) and assessing their body condition. In chickens bred to lay a large number of eggs, the keel will be much more prominent than in some other breeds of chicken, and those who are actively laying are often thinner than those who are not. However, you should still be able to feel well-defined muscle on both sides of their keel. A healthy large breed chicken will have significant muscle mass on either side of their keel. In most large breed chickens the keel will not be prominent and may even be slightly recessed in relation to the breast muscle.
In general, the keel should not be curved, which may indicate a nutritional deficiency. While a misshapen keel is technically “abnormal”, it is not uncommon in hens bred for egg production – during periods of heavy egg laying, their bodies can become depleted of calcium, causing the keel bone to soften. Depending on the hen’s environment, it can re-harden in an abnormal shape. Hens rescued from battery cages often have curved and misshapen keel bones because the bone re-hardens while the hen is laying on a wire bottom floor.
Check along the keel for any sores. Keel sores should be treated early on, before they risk infection, and you should investigate the cause (for example, are they down more often because of a mobility issue?). Mature large breed chickens typically have a featherless strip of red skin that runs along their keel and to their vent. Because this entire area is red, looking for early signs of irritation can be difficult. However, skin that is drier or flakier than the rest of the exposed skin could be an early warning sign.
If a chicken is laying eggs and breaking them, you must be diligent about keeping them clean, as broken egg will attract flies, which can lead to flystrike.
In general, the keel should not be curved, which may indicate a nutritional deficiency. While a misshapen keel is technically “abnormal”, it is not uncommon in hens bred for egg production – during periods of heavy egg laying, their bodies can become depleted of calcium, causing the keel bone to soften. Depending on the hen’s environment, it can re-harden in an abnormal shape. Hens rescued from battery cages often have curved and misshapen keel bones because the bone re-hardens while the hen is laying on a wire bottom floor.
Check along the keel for any sores. Keel sores should be treated early on, before they risk infection, and you should investigate the cause (for example, are they down more often because of a mobility issue?). Mature large breed chickens typically have a featherless strip of red skin that runs along their keel and to their vent. Because this entire area is red, looking for early signs of irritation can be difficult. However, skin that is drier or flakier than the rest of the exposed skin could be an early warning sign.
If a chicken is laying eggs and breaking them, you must be diligent about keeping them clean, as broken egg will attract flies, which can lead to flystrike.
Check Their Crop
The chicken’s cropA crop is a pouched enlargement of the esophagus of many birds that serves as a receptacle for food and for its preliminary maceration. is to the right of the base of their neck and will be easier to assess while checking their right side. It is where food is stored before entering a chicken’s proventriculus, or “true stomach.” It should feel empty (or impossible to feel at all) before they eat for the day or after digestion, and full after eating. It’s important to get to know what a crop feels like, both full and empty, so you can more easily monitor it for abnormalities.
If the crop is hard or filled with fluid, this could indicate a problem. In general, it is best to assess the chicken’s overall well-being in addition to any perceived crop abnormalities. A chicken could have a hard crop because they overate or didn’t drink enough water on a hot day. They could have a fluidy crop because they just drank a bit of water. If the chicken is bright and active and doesn’t have a major abnormality, you can usually plan to check the chicken’s crop later in the day and, if necessary, again in the morning before they have eaten. If their crop is flat by morning, then most likely there was never really an issue to begin with or the issue was minor and resolved on its own. If the abnormality does not resolve, becomes more severe, or the chicken begins to display other signs of illness, then you should consult with a veterinarian or other care professional to diagnose and treat the issue.
Be very careful handling a chicken with a large fluid-filled crop, as they can easily regurgitate and then aspirate (inhale the regurgitated fluid into their airways). If the chicken has bad or sour-smelling breath, this also indicates possible crop issues, such as sour crop, which is a fungal yeast infection that requires treatment. If the crop remains full and firm, and they haven’t eaten in awhile (or overnight), the crop could be impacted (or blocked). You may find that a chicken’s crop is mostly emptying its contents, but notice a small clump of something that remains in the crop for days. In these cases, there may be plant matter, feathers, or other indigestible materials in the crop. Consult with your veterinarian – in some cases surgical intervention is necessary.
NEVER attempt to empty a chicken’s crop by following backyard chickenThe raising of chickens primarily for the consumption of their eggs and/or flesh, typically in a non-agricultural environment. recommendations to cut into the crop or force them to regurgitate. These are not safe or appropriate practices. If a crop needs to be emptied, the crop must first be evaluated to determine if surgical intervention is necessary or if the contents can be removed using a feeding tube. All surgical interventions must be done by a licensed veterinarian using proper analgesics and anesthetics. Emptying the crop using a feeding tube and syringe should only be done by a professional or highly trained chicken caregiverSomeone who provides daily care, specifically for animal residents at an animal sanctuary, shelter, or rescue.. Discuss all crop issues and treatments with your veterinarian – it’s important to determine the underlying cause of the crop issue which often requires a culture and possibly diagnostic imaging.
Keep in mind that while a chicken can develop a primary crop issue, and these can be particularly common in large breed chickens, in non-large breed hens, crop issues are often secondary to a reproductive tract issue. Always check the abdomen of a hen with crop motility issues, and discuss the possibility of reproductive tract issues with your veterinarian.
If the crop is hard or filled with fluid, this could indicate a problem. In general, it is best to assess the chicken’s overall well-being in addition to any perceived crop abnormalities. A chicken could have a hard crop because they overate or didn’t drink enough water on a hot day. They could have a fluidy crop because they just drank a bit of water. If the chicken is bright and active and doesn’t have a major abnormality, you can usually plan to check the chicken’s crop later in the day and, if necessary, again in the morning before they have eaten. If their crop is flat by morning, then most likely there was never really an issue to begin with or the issue was minor and resolved on its own. If the abnormality does not resolve, becomes more severe, or the chicken begins to display other signs of illness, then you should consult with a veterinarian or other care professional to diagnose and treat the issue.
Be very careful handling a chicken with a large fluid-filled crop, as they can easily regurgitate and then aspirate (inhale the regurgitated fluid into their airways). If the chicken has bad or sour-smelling breath, this also indicates possible crop issues, such as sour crop, which is a fungal yeast infection that requires treatment. If the crop remains full and firm, and they haven’t eaten in awhile (or overnight), the crop could be impacted (or blocked). You may find that a chicken’s crop is mostly emptying its contents, but notice a small clump of something that remains in the crop for days. In these cases, there may be plant matter, feathers, or other indigestible materials in the crop. Consult with your veterinarian – in some cases surgical intervention is necessary.
NEVER attempt to empty a chicken’s crop by following backyard chickenThe raising of chickens primarily for the consumption of their eggs and/or flesh, typically in a non-agricultural environment. recommendations to cut into the crop or force them to regurgitate. These are not safe or appropriate practices. If a crop needs to be emptied, the crop must first be evaluated to determine if surgical intervention is necessary or if the contents can be removed using a feeding tube. All surgical interventions must be done by a licensed veterinarian using proper analgesics and anesthetics. Emptying the crop using a feeding tube and syringe should only be done by a professional or highly trained chicken caregiverSomeone who provides daily care, specifically for animal residents at an animal sanctuary, shelter, or rescue.. Discuss all crop issues and treatments with your veterinarian – it’s important to determine the underlying cause of the crop issue which often requires a culture and possibly diagnostic imaging.
Keep in mind that while a chicken can develop a primary crop issue, and these can be particularly common in large breed chickens, in non-large breed hens, crop issues are often secondary to a reproductive tract issue. Always check the abdomen of a hen with crop motility issues, and discuss the possibility of reproductive tract issues with your veterinarian.
Check Their Head And Neck
Neck– Observe the position of their head. Any head tilting should be noted. Their neck should be vertical with no kinks or lumps.
Comb and Wattles– The comb should generally not be floppy (though some individuals may normally have a floppy comb), and the comb and wattles should not be pale, swollen, ashen, or discolored from their normal hue. Look for any scabbing, which could be a sign of illness (such as dry fowl pox) or injury. If you find that the tip of the comb or the bottom of their wattles are discolored, swollen, oozy, or scabby, this could be a sign of frostbite.
Ears– Check their ears. They should have clean feathers covering them and should be free of discharge or debris.
Eyes– The chicken should have wide open, clean, alert eyes. They should be clear and free of discharge. Cloudy, watery, dry, swollen, or crusty eyes indicates likely illness or injury. Their pupils should be round, be about the same size, and react properly to bright light (get smaller and then return to normal). A misshapen or gray pupil could be a symptom of Marek’s disease, and a cloudy eye could be a cataract or the result of an infection. A bulging eye could be caused by glaucoma. You should have your veterinarian evaluate any eye abnormalities as soon as possible. Chickens have a third eyelid (also known as the nictitating membranea thin membrane found in many vertebrates at the inner angle or beneath the lower lid of the eye and capable of extending across the eyeball). It should be cloudy white and retract when stimulated, rather than red, swollen, or non-retractable.
Sinuses– Check the area around the eyes and in front of the eyes for any swelling.
Beak– Their beak should be smooth and free of cracks. In chickens who have not been debeaked, check if the top beak is significantly longer than the lower beak. If their upper beak begins to grow much longer than their lower beak, you may need to trim or file it down. If the upper beak is allowed to grow too much, it can interfere with eating, pecking, and preening. Check the alignment of their upper mandible (top part of their beak). It should be directly above the bottom part and, unless they have been debeaked, should be slightly longer, usually coming to a point. If the top and bottom beak go in different directions, this may be a common congenital issue known as cross beak (or scissor beak). Chickens with a crossed beak may need to be offered softer foods, such as soaked pellets, in a wide shallow bowl, because dry pellets and crumble can be difficult for them to eat. They also tend to need their beaks trimmed regularly, and, depending on the severity, may need either or both their upper and lower beak trimmed. If the beak’s alignment is suddenly different, there’s likely an issue that must be assessed by a veterinarian.
Nareseither of the pair of openings of the nose or nasal cavity– There shouldn’t be any discharge or crustiness in their nares. If the nares appear clogged at all, you can use a moistened cotton-tipped applicator or a pair of tweezers to gently remove any obstruction. Their breathing should not be labored, loud, wheezy, rattly, whistling, or squeaky.
Comb and Wattles– The comb should generally not be floppy (though some individuals may normally have a floppy comb), and the comb and wattles should not be pale, swollen, ashen, or discolored from their normal hue. Look for any scabbing, which could be a sign of illness (such as dry fowl pox) or injury. If you find that the tip of the comb or the bottom of their wattles are discolored, swollen, oozy, or scabby, this could be a sign of frostbite.
Ears– Check their ears. They should have clean feathers covering them and should be free of discharge or debris.
Eyes– The chicken should have wide open, clean, alert eyes. They should be clear and free of discharge. Cloudy, watery, dry, swollen, or crusty eyes indicates likely illness or injury. Their pupils should be round, be about the same size, and react properly to bright light (get smaller and then return to normal). A misshapen or gray pupil could be a symptom of Marek’s disease, and a cloudy eye could be a cataract or the result of an infection. A bulging eye could be caused by glaucoma. You should have your veterinarian evaluate any eye abnormalities as soon as possible. Chickens have a third eyelid (also known as the nictitating membranea thin membrane found in many vertebrates at the inner angle or beneath the lower lid of the eye and capable of extending across the eyeball). It should be cloudy white and retract when stimulated, rather than red, swollen, or non-retractable.
Sinuses– Check the area around the eyes and in front of the eyes for any swelling.
Beak– Their beak should be smooth and free of cracks. In chickens who have not been debeaked, check if the top beak is significantly longer than the lower beak. If their upper beak begins to grow much longer than their lower beak, you may need to trim or file it down. If the upper beak is allowed to grow too much, it can interfere with eating, pecking, and preening. Check the alignment of their upper mandible (top part of their beak). It should be directly above the bottom part and, unless they have been debeaked, should be slightly longer, usually coming to a point. If the top and bottom beak go in different directions, this may be a common congenital issue known as cross beak (or scissor beak). Chickens with a crossed beak may need to be offered softer foods, such as soaked pellets, in a wide shallow bowl, because dry pellets and crumble can be difficult for them to eat. They also tend to need their beaks trimmed regularly, and, depending on the severity, may need either or both their upper and lower beak trimmed. If the beak’s alignment is suddenly different, there’s likely an issue that must be assessed by a veterinarian.
Nareseither of the pair of openings of the nose or nasal cavity– There shouldn’t be any discharge or crustiness in their nares. If the nares appear clogged at all, you can use a moistened cotton-tipped applicator or a pair of tweezers to gently remove any obstruction. Their breathing should not be labored, loud, wheezy, rattly, whistling, or squeaky.
Check Inside Their Mouth
Checking inside their mouth tends to be the chicken’s least favorite part of the exam, and proper technique can be a tricky thing to learn at first. When first learning this skill, it can be easiest if you have a second person restrain the chicken so you can use both hands to open their mouth.
When you look inside their mouth, it should not be tacky or have excessive mucus. A sticky or tacky mouth could be a sign that the chicken is dehydrated. Their mouth should not have any ulcers, lesions, lumps, or areas of discoloration. Raised yellow lesions could be a sign of wet pox, squamous cell carcinoma, or another disease. It’s completely normal for their mouth’s roof and upper mandible to have a split in it. This is the choanal slit, and it should be free of obstruction and discharge. Their breath shouldn’t have an overly strong odor – a sour smell could be a sign of sour crop. At the center of the back of their throat, you will see the opening to the trachea (windpipe) and depending on the lighting and the angle from which you are looking, you may also be able to see partially down their trachea. If you have a concern about the trachea, in addition to consulting with your veterinarian, you can hold a light against a chicken’s neck while looking down their throat. The light will illuminate their trachea, allowing you to see more clearly for any signs of obstruction, gapeworms, lesions, or other concerns.
When you look inside their mouth, it should not be tacky or have excessive mucus. A sticky or tacky mouth could be a sign that the chicken is dehydrated. Their mouth should not have any ulcers, lesions, lumps, or areas of discoloration. Raised yellow lesions could be a sign of wet pox, squamous cell carcinoma, or another disease. It’s completely normal for their mouth’s roof and upper mandible to have a split in it. This is the choanal slit, and it should be free of obstruction and discharge. Their breath shouldn’t have an overly strong odor – a sour smell could be a sign of sour crop. At the center of the back of their throat, you will see the opening to the trachea (windpipe) and depending on the lighting and the angle from which you are looking, you may also be able to see partially down their trachea. If you have a concern about the trachea, in addition to consulting with your veterinarian, you can hold a light against a chicken’s neck while looking down their throat. The light will illuminate their trachea, allowing you to see more clearly for any signs of obstruction, gapeworms, lesions, or other concerns.
Check Their Feathers And Skin
The chicken’s feathers typically should look shiny and lay flat against them (with the exception of silkies and individuals with frizzled feathers). Bloody feathers are a clear sign of a problem. For the most part, feathers should be bright and clean, though you may have residents who have dirty feathers from exploring in the mud or eating a messy treat. If the chicken isn’t molting, feathers typically should not be missing, tattered, frayed, ruffled, or broken. Any of these issues could be due to stress, parasites, flock behavior issues (like bullying or over-mounting), nutritional deficiencies (especially protein), or infestations in their habitat (such as rodents or flies). If their feathers don’t seem to be developing or won’t fold into their normal position, this is also indicative of a problem.
Part the chicken’s feathers around their body, being mindful of pin feathers, as these emerging feathers are very sensitive to handling and can be damaged easily. Feathers can hide skin illnesses and injuries. This is the time to ensure you are checking and feeling every area of the individual’s body, not just those highlighted above. This thorough portion of the exam is critical to ensure that nothing that can be addressed early is missed. Look for areas of discoloration, scabbing, swelling, and any signs of injury. Look carefully for any signs of external parasites, including clumps of eggs or irritated, scabby skin. Their skin should be soft, pale pink, and translucent unless they are a breed with naturally darker skin, such as a Silkie or Ayam Cemani. Also keep in mind that in large breed chickens, particularly Cornish crosses, the area along the keel and on the abdomen is often thicker and redder than the rest of their skin.
Part the chicken’s feathers around their body, being mindful of pin feathers, as these emerging feathers are very sensitive to handling and can be damaged easily. Feathers can hide skin illnesses and injuries. This is the time to ensure you are checking and feeling every area of the individual’s body, not just those highlighted above. This thorough portion of the exam is critical to ensure that nothing that can be addressed early is missed. Look for areas of discoloration, scabbing, swelling, and any signs of injury. Look carefully for any signs of external parasites, including clumps of eggs or irritated, scabby skin. Their skin should be soft, pale pink, and translucent unless they are a breed with naturally darker skin, such as a Silkie or Ayam Cemani. Also keep in mind that in large breed chickens, particularly Cornish crosses, the area along the keel and on the abdomen is often thicker and redder than the rest of their skin.
Check Their Weight And Body Condition
It’s important to have an accurate weight for each of the individuals in your care, and a healthy adult chicken should maintain weight consistently. If the chicken has lost a lot of weight, this could indicate an illness, malnutrition, or parasites like coccidiosis. If the chicken has gained weight, it’s critical to ensure that you aren’t overfeeding them, especially with treats and snacks, as obesity can lead to other health issues – obesity is particularly common in large breed chickens and can increase their risk of developing a host a health challenges, including mobility issues, pressure sores, and heart issues. Excess weight can not only negatively impact their quality of life, it will also likely shorten their life.
To weigh chicken residents, it can be helpful to use a scale intended for “dynamic weighing” or “weighing in motion,” as these scales will calculate the average weight for an animal moving around on the scale rather than oscillating indefinitely. Make sure the chicken has adequate traction on the scale (a bath mat or rubber bowl can be used to provide traction) and keep your hands near them to prevent them from slipping or jumping off and injuring themselves. We recommend weighing chickens in a standing or sitting position, though non-large breed chickens may be able to be placed on their side. We don’t recommend placing any chicken on their back since some may have a severe adverse reaction to being in this position.
In addition to weighing each individual, you should also pay close attention to their body condition to determine if they are at a healthy weight. For large breed chickens, in particular, their body condition will help you determine if their diet needs to be adjusted, as each individual will have their own ideal weight range. Also keep in mind that some health conditions, such as reproductive issues, could result in an individual having a seemingly healthy weight based on the number on the scale, but a check of their body condition may reveal emaciation.
To weigh chicken residents, it can be helpful to use a scale intended for “dynamic weighing” or “weighing in motion,” as these scales will calculate the average weight for an animal moving around on the scale rather than oscillating indefinitely. Make sure the chicken has adequate traction on the scale (a bath mat or rubber bowl can be used to provide traction) and keep your hands near them to prevent them from slipping or jumping off and injuring themselves. We recommend weighing chickens in a standing or sitting position, though non-large breed chickens may be able to be placed on their side. We don’t recommend placing any chicken on their back since some may have a severe adverse reaction to being in this position.
In addition to weighing each individual, you should also pay close attention to their body condition to determine if they are at a healthy weight. For large breed chickens, in particular, their body condition will help you determine if their diet needs to be adjusted, as each individual will have their own ideal weight range. Also keep in mind that some health conditions, such as reproductive issues, could result in an individual having a seemingly healthy weight based on the number on the scale, but a check of their body condition may reveal emaciation.
Check Their Poop
If the individual poops during the exam, be sure to make note of whether or not their stool appears “normal” or potentially concerning. Not every unusual dropping is cause for immediate concern, but be sure to contact your veterinarian right away if anyone has bloody poop; worms in their poop (be aware that the absence of visible worms does not mean the individual does not have parasitic worms or other parasitic infection); consistently foamy, loose or abnormally colored stool that cannot be explained by diet; or if you notice watery poop from an individual who also looks unwell.
When in doubt, grab a fecal sample and connect with your veterinarian.
When in doubt, grab a fecal sample and connect with your veterinarian.
Isolate If Necessary
If you notice that a chicken is unhealthy, it’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian and/or compassionate care expert and prioritize accurately diagnosing the problem. Depending on the health concern, it may be necessary to isolate the chicken in order to protect the rest of the flock from a potentially infectious disease. However, with some illnesses, such as pneumonia or fowl pox, often once a chicken is showing symptoms, the other residents in the flock have already been exposed. In these instances, you will need to weigh what is in the best interest of all of your residents. A sick chicken who is isolated from their flock may become more stressed, which could delay recovery. Also keep in mind that in flocks with more than one rooster, it can sometimes be difficult to re-introduce a rooster back into the flock, so you may only want to separate a rooster in this situation when absolutely necessary. However, if the chicken is being bullied or cannot compete with the rest of the flock for food, or if you need to more closely monitor their food and water intake and fecal output, you will likely need to separate them at least temporarily. You may find that keeping them in a quiet space with a calm chicken companion is a good compromise until they are well enough to rejoin the flock.
To read more about considering alternative living arrangements in response to a health condition, check out our resource here.
To read more about considering alternative living arrangements in response to a health condition, check out our resource here.
Though it may seem like an overwhelming amount of factors to be aware of, once you’ve gotten to know a chicken and what good chicken health looks like, you’ll be an excellent chicken health ally in no time!
Writing It All Down
As you may know, regular documentation is a critical part of responsible sanctuary animal care. In order to maximize the value of your chicken health examinations, we’ve developed a free printable chicken health exam form for sanctuaries and rescues!
SOURCES:
Physical Exam One Page Guide | Chicken Run Rescue
Physical Examination Of Backyard Poultry | The Merck Vet Manual
DIY Chicken Checkup | The Chicken Chick (Non-Compassionate Source)
Chicken Poop Guide | The Chicken Chick (Non-Compassionate Source)
