Chicken Care Guide

Overview

Chicken Care Tips: Everything You Need To Know About Your Pet Chicken

Chickens are gaining popularity in urban and suburban areas like New York City and Long Island—and for good reason! These intelligent, personality-filled birds make wonderful companions. However, chickens are prone to serious health issues and often go without medical attention due to limited access to appropriate veterinary care. At LIBEVC, we believe chickens deserve the same high-quality care as any other animal, and our team is well-equipped to address the unique challenges these incredible birds face.

This guide, put together by our professional avian vet team here at LIBEVC, provides an overview of how to keep your chickens happy, healthy and safe.

The Natural History of Chickens

Chickens, scientifically known as Gallus gallus domesticus, are descendants of various wild junglefowl species and are most closely related to the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), native to Southeast Asia. Believed to be the first bird domesticated by humans, chickens have been a part of human society for 7,000 to 10,000 years. Over time, humans have utilized chickens for a range of purposes, including sport, pest control, food production and, more recently, companionship.

What's the Difference Between a Chicken, Hen, Rooster and Pullet?

The term "chicken" refers to the species as a whole. Juvenile females are known as pullets and become hens between 15 and 18 weeks of age, around the time when some breeds start laying eggs. Adult male chickens are referred to as roosters, cocks, or cockerels.

Is Your Chicken a Male or Female?

Adult chickens exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males typically being more colorful and having larger, more vibrant combs and wattles. Hens usually have rounded hackle and saddle feathers, while roosters possess thin, pointed feathers and longer tail feathers. Both male and female chickens can grow and develop spurs, though these traits are more commonly seen in males.

Common Breeds of Chickens

Chickens come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with over 600 recognized breeds worldwide. Knowing and understanding your chicken's breed is crucial, as some breeds are more susceptible to specific health issues. Purpose-bred production chickens are especially vulnerable to diseases related to their intended function. For instance, industrial egg-laying breeds like Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns are highly prone to reproductive disorders such as egg binding, prolapsed oviduct, egg-yolk coelomitis, certain cancers, and calcium deficiency. Similarly, large-breed chickens like Cornish Crosses and Red Rangers (originally bred for rapid meat production) are at high risk for developing obesity, heart disease, pododermatitis, and joint problems due to their heavy bodies. Both egg-laying and large-breed chickens require specialized care, including carefully formulated diets and adjusted environmental conditions, to maintain their health.

Fun Facts about Chickens

Chickens can recognize and remember up to 100 different faces, including both human faces as well as those of other chickens.
Chickens possess complex communication skills, using over 30 distinct vocalizations to convey warnings of danger, discoveries of food, their emotions, and intentions to other flock members.
Hens communicate with their chicks even before they hatch, making sounds that the chicks can hear and respond to while still inside their eggs.
Chickens have better color vision and eyesight than humans.
Chickens are highly intelligent, demonstrating self-awareness, advanced problem-solving skills, and even the ability to deceive and manipulate their flockmates. They learn from one another, such as when a chick learns from its mother which foods are safe to eat, and they pass this knowledge down through generations.
Roosters engage in a behavior called ‘tidbitting,’ where they perform a dance by repeatedly dropping and picking up a morsel of food while stomping their feet, circling, and making “took took” sounds to attract hens to a tasty treat. Roosters often wait to eat until their hens have had their share.
Happy, contented chickens purr like cats!

Behavior

Chicken Behavior

Chickens are surprisingly complex and social animals with a range of fascinating behaviors. Understanding their normal behavior is essential for ensuring their well-being. Like any animal, chickens have individual personalities, and the longer you have them, the more you’ll get to know their unique traits. Keep an eye out for any dramatic changes in behavior, as these can be signs of illness or distress.

Here’s a breakdown of several important chicken behaviors to be aware of:

Pecking Order: The pecking order is a social hierarchy within a flock that determines each bird's rank and status among its peers. Dominant birds assert their position through pecks and postures, securing the best spots and first access to food, while the rest of the flock follows to maintain harmony. Chickens that are bullied or ostracized are often shunned due to illness and should be separated from the flock and seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Preening: Preening is an essential grooming behavior where chickens use their beaks to clean and arrange their feathers, helping to maintain feather health and remove parasites. Chickens often preen several times a day, which is crucial for their overall health and comfort. Preening each other, known as allopreening, also plays a key role in strengthening social bonds within the flock.

Foraging: Foraging is an instinctive behavior in chickens, involving the search for food by pecking and scratching at the ground. As omnivores, chickens enjoy discovering insects, seeds, and plants. This activity not only provides mental stimulation and physical exercise but also mimics their natural wild instincts. You can encourage foraging by offering foraging toys and mats.

Nesting: Nesting behavior is common in broody and reproductively active hens. These chickens will seek out secluded, comfortable spots to lay their eggs, sometimes staying there for days to protect their clutch. It’s important to distinguish nesting behavior from self-isolation due to illness or bullying. Unlike sick birds, broody hens are usually incubating eggs and will become aggressive, biting and slapping anyone who tries to remove them from the nest. If a chicken with a deslorelin implant begins showing nesting behavior, it may indicate that the implant is wearing off and needs to be replaced by your veterinarian.

Dust Bathing: Dust bathing is where chickens roll and flap in dust or loose soil. This activity helps remove excess oils and parasites from their feathers, keeping them clean and preventing feather damage. Dust bathing also helps regulate body temperature and provides a source of natural comfort. Friendly chickens will often dust-bathe together, strengthening social bonds.

Perching: Perching is a natural response to dusk, where chickens habitually move to elevated spaces to rest for the night. This provides them with a sense of security and protection from ground predators. Keep in mind that not all breeds are able to access high perches and large breed chickens may require wider, softer perches very low to the ground.

These behaviors are fundamental to understanding and caring for chickens in any flock, helping to ensure they remain fit, happy and healthy.

Care Taking

How to Care for Your Chicken

Housing

Like most animals, chickens are happiest when they have plenty of space to roam and explore. Chickens can either be kept inside the home or outdoors in a secure coop with attached run. Different breeds of chickens have different housing requirements, which we will discuss in more detail in the following section.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Chickens housed outdoors must be kept in a predator-proofed, fully enclosed environment with access to a comfortable, sheltered indoor space to protect them from harsh weather conditions. There are many different configurations of the “coop and run” enclosure available commercially, though premade options generally require modifications to ensure security against predators. Alternatively, you can build an enclosure yourself.

Size

The indoor living quarters should provide a minimum of 4 square feet per chicken (though more room is always better!) and be well-insulated and well-ventilated. The outdoor portion of the aviary should be roomier, with at least 8-10 square feet per bird, giving your chickens an opportunity to forage and the ability to move away from aggressive flock members.

Flooring

Choosing appropriate flooring is an essential, though often overlooked, component to keeping your chickens healthy. Coop flooring should be solid and waterproof to make it easy to sweep or spray down during cleaning. We recommend using a concrete floor covered with either a rubberized roof coating or rubber stall mats. Concrete offers a durable, even, predator-proof foundation, while rubber is waterproof, easy to clean, and provides cushioning to protect your chickens' feet and joints. Linoleum is another option; it's waterproof, though less durable and comfortable than rubber. Wooden floors can be used if properly sealed, but they are otherwise prone to rot. Never use wire flooring or build your coop directly on dirt, as this makes it easy for burrowing animals to access your chickens.

Bedding

The primary purpose of coop bedding is to reduce moisture and make cleaning easier. Since chickens are mostly ground-dwelling, with some breeds unable to fly at all, they will spend a lot of time interacting with and standing on the bedding. This makes it essential to choose bedding that is both appropriate and safe for your chickens.

All loose bedding options come with certain risks that need to be carefully weighed against their potential benefits. Chickens may ingest loose bedding, which can lead to serious health issues and require emergency medical intervention. For some birds, such as chicks under 8 weeks old and large industrial production breeds like Cornish Crosses, the risks associated with loose bedding far outweigh its convenience, and we do not recommend using it at all. There is no one-size-fits-all bedding solution for chickens, so if you do choose to use loose bedding, it's essential to closely monitor your birds to ensure they are not ingesting it.

We do NOT recommend bedding due to their associated health risks, including:

Straw or hay
Aspen, cedar or pine shavings
Play sand
Rice, peanut or corn hulls

Types of bedding that can be used safely with some small breed chickens:

Medium to coarse construction-grade sand
Hemp

Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining clean and dry substrate is just as crucial as choosing the right type. Damp, soiled bedding, along with a lack of perching opportunities, are the primary causes of pododermatitis, or “bumblefoot,” a serious condition that can lead to debilitating lameness and sepsis if left untreated. Dirty bedding also creates an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi, such as Aspergillus, a pathogen that can cause respiratory disease in both animals and humans. To keep your bedding fresh, spot clean daily to remove soiled areas, and perform a deep clean of the coop weekly by removing all bedding and scrubbing surfaces with a mild detergent.

Perches

Like all birds, chickens benefit from having a variety of perch shapes and sizes. Natural branches installed at least 4 feet off the ground are ideal for smaller game breeds with moderate flight ability. Avoid using dowel perches, as they can cause pressure sores; instead, offer both flat and natural branch perches for your chickens to choose from. Ensure the perches are sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple chickens, as they often roost together at night. Place perches in at least two different areas of the coop to provide space for chickens who may be less integrated with the rest of the flock.

Ventilation

Ensuring proper ventilation is essential for your chickens' health. Inadequate ventilation can result in poor air quality, leading to respiratory diseases and pododermatitis caused by excessive moisture. To maintain good air circulation, install exhaust fans near the ceiling at both ends of the coop. Additionally, during periods of extreme heat and humidity, consider relocating your chickens to an air-conditioned area of your home or garage.

Food and Water

To minimize the risk of rodents and insects, remove all uneaten food from the coop and run at the end of the day and avoid offering food overnight. Store food in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Always ensure your chickens have access to at least two sources of clean, fresh water, both during the day and at night. We recommend using gravity waterers or automatic feeding and watering systems rather than bowls or troughs to maintain cleanliness and reduce spillage. Elevate your waterers using platforms or suspend them to prevent spills and keep the water clean from dirty feet.

Environmental Enrichment

Chickens are curious and intelligent animals who need various forms of environmental enrichment to keep their minds and bodies engaged. Offering mentally stimulating enrichment, such as foraging toys and puzzles, is an excellent way to keep your chickens entertained while encouraging natural behaviors like foraging and communication within the flock while also giving more submissive birds the chance to eat without fear of harassment. Some chickens even enjoy interactive toys like keyboards and xylophones. Get creative with your chickens’ environment, but be sure to choose safe objects that can’t be easily broken or swallowed by enthusiastic birds.

Another crucial aspect of enrichment is environmental variety. This involves adding features to the coop and run that enable your birds to engage in different natural behaviors such as foraging, perching and hiding from threats. For instance, including lookout areas, such as logs and stumps at different heights, along with covered areas using bushes, tarps, low tables, or shelves, can give your flock a sense of security and reduce stress.

Dust Bathing

A smart chicken always keeps a little dirt under their pillow. Why? Because chickens use dry dirt, sand and peat to soak up excess oils and strip their feathers of harmful parasites like lice and mites. You can create a dust bath area for your chickens using a little box, sandbox or kiddie pool filled with construction-grade sand and/or loose, pesticide-free topsoil. Avoid dust bathing additives like ash and diatomaceous earth as they pose an unnecessary health risk to your birds.

Breed-Specific Housing Recommendations

Large breed chickens, such as Cornish Crosses and Red Rangers, are exclusively ground-dwelling and cannot access the high perches favored by smaller breeds. It is especially important to choose suitable flooring for these chickens, as they are prone to pressure sores and arthritis due to their large body weight. The flooring should be dry, sterile, easy to clean, and provide adequate padding. Rubber stall mats are an excellent choice for large-breed chickens, as long as they are kept as clean and dry as possible. While many large breed chickens enjoy perching if given the chance, they often struggle to maintain balance on perches designed for smaller breeds. Rubber tires make an excellent perch option for large breed chickens, offering better stability and comfort.

Predator-Proofing

Outdoor chickens are highly susceptible to various predators and must be protected at all times to prevent attacks. To ensure their safety, chickens should always be housed in a secured predator-proof enclosure. Both the coop and the run should have secure covers or roofs, raccoon-proof latches, strong and reinforced corners, and no gaps, with sides of the vents and windows covered with 1/4” or 1/2” hardware cloth. Chicken wire alone does not offer sufficient predator protection and should only be used in conjunction with hardware cloth for added reinforcement. To further enhance coop security, consider using additional measures like bungee cords or a multi-lock system to deter raccoons. For extra protection, you can also add sheet metal to floors and hardware cloth to walls.

We strongly discourage allowing chickens to free-range in your yard or garden due to the risk of predation and ingestion of toxic materials. Chickens are not strong flyers and are highly vulnerable to both ground-dwelling and aerial predators including cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, rats, snakes, weasels and birds of prey. Chickens should never be allowed to free range outdoors unsupervised.

Keeping your chickens safe within a predator-proof area doesn't mean you have to sacrifice enrichment or their quality of life. You can create a stimulating and secure environment by incorporating enrichment items like plants, perches, and dust baths into the enclosure, encouraging natural behaviors in a safe space. The enclosed outdoor aviary space should offer at least 8-10 square feet per chicken and include areas for foraging and dust bathing. To protect against digging predators, bury a portion of the fencing underground. Enhance the outdoor space with a mix of sunny and shady areas, tall vegetation for cover, and dirt for scratching. Consider adding chicken-friendly plants like bamboo, roses, and herbs, along with logs and boulders for climbing. Check that the space is free from toxic plants, and get creative with additions that will enrich the living space for your feathered friends.

Weather Considerations

Chickens prefer ambient temperatures between 60 and 75F, with a relative humidity level of 30-40%. Despite their reputation for being hardy and tolerant, not all chickens are able to cope well with extreme temperatures. Their breed, age, body condition and relative fitness all influence their individual ability to handle temperatures outside their preferred range. For example, large, heavy breeds like Cornish crosses are particularly susceptible to heat stress in temperatures above 80 F as well as frostbite in cooler weather due to poor circulation and difficulty perching. Similarly, chickens of any breed with large combs and waddles or poorly feathered birds are also at high risk of losing extremities to frostbite. Approach your strategy to weatherproofing on a case-by-case basis, and when in doubt, bring your chickens indoors.

Warm Weather

In hot weather, keep chickens cool and hydrated. Provide ample fresh water in multiple containers in both the coop and run and check them periodically throughout the day to make sure they are clean and full. Provide shade and ensure the coop is well-ventilated using exhaust fans or even an air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature. Offer cold treats like chilled watermelon. Bring your chickens indoors if you notice signs of heat stress, such as panting or lethargy.

Cool Weather

In cold weather, insulate the coop to keep chickens warm while ensuring good ventilation to avoid excessive humidity. Coops can be insulated using foam board or fiberglass to cover walls and ceilings. Use tarps, blankets or a thick layer of substrate (if appropriate) to insulate the floor.

NOTE: Take extreme caution when using heating elements in a chicken coop. Heat lights and pads pose a significant fire hazard if not used properly and should be inspected daily to ensure they are clean and functioning properly. Make sure they are securely mounted and away from flammable materials.

Indoor Living Spaces

Chickens can lead happy and healthy lives as inside-only companions provided their basic needs are met. As is the case for outdoor chickens, indoor chickens should have access to perches with various widths as well as dry, cushioned flooring such as foam or rubber tiles. Indoor chickens need exposure to UVB radiation which can be achieved by creating a safe outdoor environment or using UVB light bulbs specific to birds, such as the ZooMed Avian Sun or Arcadia PureSun UV light.

Nutrition

Diet & Nutrition

What Do Chickens Need to Eat?

Like all animals, chickens have specific nutritional needs to stay happy and healthy.

Formulated Diets: The foundation of your chicken's diet should be a nutritionally balanced pellet or mash. Laying hens require a layer-specific formulated diet, which is higher in calcium and protein than all-flock feeds. Non-laying hens, roosters, and large breed chickens should be fed all-flock or game bird formulas.

Most chickens should have free access to pellets throughout the day, with the exception of certain large breed chickens like Cornish Crosses. These breeds are designed to gain weight rapidly for industrial production and require restricted portions to prevent obesity. Consult with your avian veterinarian to determine whether your chicken needs a restricted diet and to get guidance on the appropriate amount to feed them.

Fresh Foods: Provide your chickens with a daily variety of fresh leafy greens and low-starch vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and zucchini. Heritage and laying breeds can also enjoy fruits and starchy vegetables occasionally as treats. For large breed chickens, offering plenty of leafy greens and whole heads of cabbage or lettuce can help keep them stimulated and satisfied between meals.

Grit: Chickens require two essential types of grit: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble grit, typically composed of small stones, is ingested by chickens and stored in the gizzard, where it aids in the mechanical breakdown of food. Although chickens naturally consume pebbles for this purpose, they may inadvertently ingest hazardous materials like metal or plastic, making it crucial to regularly inspect their environment. Providing a safe source of insoluble grit, such as flint, can significantly reduce the risk of accidental ingestion of toxic substances.

Soluble grit, which consists of calcium carbonate, dissolves in the digestive system and provides an additional source of calcium. Common forms of soluble grit include crushed scallop or mussel shells and limestone granules. With the exception of large industrial breeds, chickens should have continuous access to a mixture of both soluble and insoluble grit to support their digestive health.

What Is Toxic to Chickens?

Certain foods have toxins or substances that chickens can't digest, such as avocados, salty or moldy foods, raw beans, onions and green potatoes. You can find a complete list of potentially toxic foods here.

Medical

What Medical Care Does My Pet Chicken Need?

When Should You Bring Your Pet Chicken in for a Checkup?

Routine checkups for pet chickens are crucial to maintaining their health and catching potential issues early. Chickens should ideally have a checkup at least once a year by a qualified avian veterinarian. However, there are specific instances when a checkup should not be delayed. If you notice significant changes in behavior, eating, or drinking patterns, or if the chicken exhibits signs of distress such as continuous coughing, sneezing, or labored breathing, immediate veterinary attention is necessary. Additionally, any physical injuries, persistent lameness, or unexplained weight loss warrant a prompt visit to the vet.

Common Chicken Health Concerns

Chickens are susceptible to a range of diseases that can impact their health and well-being. Here, we provide an overview of some of the most common health conditions seen in pet chickens.

Reproductive Disease

For centuries, humans have selectively bred hens for high egg production, resulting in chickens that now lay over 300 eggs per year—more than 25 times that of their wild counterparts. Unfortunately, this unnaturally high production rate places significant stress on a hen’s body, depleting calcium and increasing the risk of reproductive diseases such as cancer, egg-related peritonitis, oviduct trauma, and prolapse. While breeds designed for high egg output are more susceptible to these issues, it’s important to note that any female chicken, including large breeds, can develop reproductive problems.

Hormone therapy is the most effective way to prevent and, in some cases, treat reproductive disease in chickens. At LIBEVC, we use deslorelin, a GnRH agonist implant that is placed under the hen’s skin, releasing hormones to shut down her reproductive system and halt egg production. Deslorelin implants typically last 4 to 6 months and must be administered consistently throughout the hen’s life to remain effective against reproductive disease. Due to the high prevalence of these diseases in laying hens, LIBEVC strongly recommends prophylactic deslorelin treatment for laying breeds before any symptoms arise. This proactive approach can significantly improve your hen’s well-being and may extend her life significantly.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Chickens are naturally curious foragers and may consume harmful objects such as metal, plastic, and synthetic materials that can lead to illness. In the New York area, one of the most common toxicities in backyard chickens is lead poisoning, which occurs when chickens ingest paint chips, water, or soil containing lead. Symptoms of lead toxicity include lethargy, paleness, and weight loss due to decreased appetite; however, some chickens with high blood lead levels may show no symptoms at all. If you suspect your chicken has ingested lead, schedule an appointment with your avian veterinarian and consider testing your soil through an accredited New York environmental laboratory.

Pododermatitis or “Bumblefoot”

Pododermatitis, commonly known as "bumblefoot," is a widespread inflammatory condition that affects the underside of a chicken's foot. It usually manifests as a firm, pus-filled abscess covered by a brown to black scab. As the infection advances, the foot may become hot, swollen, and red, and the chicken may be reluctant to put weight on the affected foot. Pododermatitis can be exceptionally challenging to treat, often requiring long-term antibiotic therapy, wound care, and, in some cases, surgery. Regularly inspecting your chicken's foot pads and the spaces between their toes for bumps, lumps, swelling, or pressure sores is crucial, as early detection significantly improves the long-term prognosis. If you discover signs of pododermatitis, have your chicken evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Never attempt to remove scabs, wrap the foot or lance an abscess unless you have been instructed to do so by a veterinarian!

Parasitic Infestations

Chickens housed outdoors are exposed to ectoparasites carried by wild birds, rodents and other small animals. Common parasites include Northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum), red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae), scaly-leg mites (Knemidokoptes mutans), chicken body louse (Menacanthus stramineus), shaft louse (Menopon gallinae) and sticktight fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea). These parasites require medical management and should be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian. Take caution if using over-the-counter antiparasitics such as poultry mite spray or diatomaceous earth as these products may cause harm.

Coccidia

Coccidia is a protozoan parasite that can cause bloody diarrhea, lethargy, malaise and even death in young and immunocompromised chickens. Coccidia is spread through droppings and thrives in moist, soiled litter, making cleanliness a key component to avoiding and managing this parasite. Your veterinarian can perform routine fecal examinations to check for coccidia and prescribe medication to treat affected birds.

Marek’s Disease

Marek's disease is a viral disease causing tumors of the viscera, muscle, skin, and peripheral nerves, leading to poor balance, difficulty walking, tremors and other neurological signs. Marek’s can also affect the eyes, resulting in grayish or irregular pupils. There is no treatment for Marek’s disease, however, it can be prevented by vaccinating chicks at hatch.

Fowl Pox

The fowlpox virus leads to crusty, nodular lesions, mostly on the head, comb, and wattles. In some instances, it can cause lesions in the mouth and trachea, potentially leading to death by suffocation. Birds that survive the infection usually develop lifelong immunity. Vaccination is available and should be administered to flocks that have a history of fowlpox or are in proximity to infected birds. The virus spreads through contact with infected lesions, open wounds, and insect bites, especially from mosquitoes, making insect control essential for preventing its spread.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that affects both domestic and wild birds. The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (HPAI) can cause significant mortality. Chickens are commonly infected through indirect contact with waterfowl and shorebirds, such as ducks and geese. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for avian influenza. The best way to protect your chickens is through effective management and strict biosecurity measures.

To protect your flock from infectious diseases, quarantine new birds for at least 6 weeks and have them examined by a veterinarian before integrating them with your existing flock.

How Can You Tell If Your Chicken Is Sick?

Identifying a sick chicken requires careful observation of its daily behavior and physical condition. Chickens often mask their illnesses until they are quite severe, making it important for caretakers to pay close attention. Key indicators of a sick chicken include changes in appetite and drinking habits, lethargy, and altered vocalizations. Physical signs such as drooping wings, disheveled feathers, and abnormal droppings are also red flags. Additionally, look for symptoms like swelling around the eyes, beak, or legs, and any unusual discharges from the nostrils or eyes. Consistently monitoring these aspects can help in early detection and timely intervention, potentially saving your chicken's life.

Health Checks

Chickens are known for their stoicism, which, although admirable, can make it challenging for caretakers to recognize illness before symptoms become too severe to hide. To avoid missing signs of injury or poor health, it's important to regularly inspect your chickens and monitor their weight. During routine health checks, aim to examine the entire body of the chicken systematically and thoroughly.

Daily Check-in

Observe your chickens daily and perform physical inspections for any signs of illness. Ensure they are breathing, defecating, eating, and moving normally. Check the feathers around their vent and underbelly for mites or other ectoparasites and examine their bodies for any open wounds. If you notice blood or broken skin, call your veterinarian and move them indoors immediately to prevent flystrike.

Weekly Checkup

Conducting head-to-tail checkups on a weekly basis can help you catch potential issues before they escalate into emergencies. Use this chart as a guide to assess your chicken’s health and body condition.

Click here for more information about what to look for when conducting health checks and here for a printable health check form to help you keep track of individual birds.

Weekly Weigh-In

There isn't a universally recognized healthy weight range for adult chickens, as their size varies greatly depending on breed and sex. Instead, body condition and weight trends over time are used to evaluate a chicken's health. Weighing your chickens weekly is the most effective way to monitor long-term weight changes and make any necessary adjustments to their care.

When Should an Avian Vet See Your Chicken?

Contact your qualified avian veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the above signs of ill-health. Do not attempt to treat any of these medical conditions at home unless instructed by your veterinarian.

Like all animals, chickens should be seen by an avian veterinarian for yearly wellness exams.

Have Questions About Chicken Care?

At LIBEVC, we provide our chicken patients with the same exceptional care as every other animal that comes through our doors. If you have any questions about your chicken’s health, how to care for them, or to schedule an exam, please give us a call.

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