Emily Carter
Whether you're a chicken keeper or a gardener, knowing the signs that your hen and chicks are dying is important. For chickens, signs of ill health include lethargy, loss of appetite, and changes in comb colour. In chicks, death can be caused by heart failure, stroke, fright, malnutrition, or bullying by other chicks. For the Sempervivum plant, also known as hen and chicks, death is usually caused by overwatering, resulting in swollen and mushy leaves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Most hens live between 4 and 8 years, but some live up to 10-12 years |
| Healthy hen | Alert, bright eyes, clean nostrils, smooth feathers, stands upright, interested in surroundings, eats, drinks, and produces waste regularly |
| Unhealthy hen | Opposite of healthy characteristics, coughing or sneezing, breathing or gasping noises, head shaking, discharge from eyes or nose, dirty wings, swollen face or wattles, bluish cast to the face |
| Chick death causes | Heart failure, stroke, fright, malnutrition, suffocation, bullying, predators, failure to thrive, chick sudden death syndrome |
| Brooder issues | Lack of ventilation, incorrect temperature, drafts, wet or damp chicks, lack of food or water, food or water quality, light availability, spillage or leaking, brooder corners |
| Hen and chick plants | Die from too much water, overwatering leads to swollen and mushy leaves, root rot in containers |
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What You'll Learn
- A hen's health: bright eyes, clean nostrils, smooth feathers, and alertness
- Signs of illness: coughing, sneezing, laboured breathing, swollen face, or head shaking
- Chick care: ensure brooders are draft-free, clean, and well-ventilated
- Chick health: prevent dehydration, use suitable feeders, and provide adequate light
- Age and breed: hens live 4-8 years, but backyard birds without genetic issues can live longer
A hen's health: bright eyes, clean nostrils, smooth feathers, and alertness
A hen's health can be assessed by observing its physical characteristics and behaviour. Here are some key indicators of a healthy hen:
Bright Eyes
A healthy hen will have bright and shiny eyes. Dull or discoloured eyes could be a sign of illness.
Clean Nostrils
Dry and clean nostrils are a sign of good health in hens. If you notice any discharge or moisture around the nostrils, it could indicate an infection or respiratory issue.
Smooth Feathers
The feathers of a healthy hen should be smooth, clean, and shiny. Missing or broken feathers, particularly on the sides and back of the neck, may indicate mite infestation or attention from roosters. During moulting, the feathers may appear ratty or worn, which is normal.
Alertness
Healthy hens are typically alert, active, and curious about their surroundings. They should be energetic and interested in exploring their environment. A lack of movement, low head carriage, or a depressed appearance may indicate that the hen is unwell.
Other Important Factors
In addition to the above indicators, here are some other factors to consider when assessing a hen's health:
- Comb and Wattles: These should be bright red, full, and waxy in healthy hens. Discolouration or a bluish cast could indicate health issues.
- Egg Production: Healthy hens will lay strong eggs with thick shells. A decrease in egg production or frequent abnormal eggs may indicate health issues.
- Behaviour: Happy hens are usually social and confident. Changes in behaviour, such as decreased activity or isolation, could be a cause for concern.
- Weight: While weight varies by breed, a healthy hen should generally maintain a good weight. Obesity can impact egg-laying abilities.
- Appetite: Healthy hens will eat and drink regularly. Loss of appetite could be a sign of illness.
- Stool: Keep an eye on the colour and consistency of the hen's stool. Bloody stools or the presence of worms or worm eggs could indicate internal parasites or other health issues.
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Signs of illness: coughing, sneezing, laboured breathing, swollen face, or head shaking
Coughing, sneezing, laboured breathing, swollen face, or head shaking can all be signs that your hen is unwell. A healthy bird should be alert, with bright eyes, clean nostrils, and smooth feathers. It should stand upright and take an interest in its surroundings, eating, drinking, and producing waste regularly.
If your hen is coughing or sneezing, it may have a respiratory illness. Unlike humans, chickens do not suffer from colds or flus, so respiratory symptoms usually indicate something more serious. Chicken Respiratory Disease (CRD), caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum, is a common culprit, but there are several other types of respiratory illness that can affect adult chickens, including bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections. Other symptoms to look out for include wheezing, nasal discharge, bubbling eyes, and swollen sinuses.
If your hen is struggling to breathe, it could be a sign of Avian Influenza (AI), a notifiable and highly contagious disease that can quickly cause the death of your whole flock. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect AI. Symptoms include lethargy, diarrhoea, and purple discolouration or swelling of the head or neck, as well as a foul-smelling discharge from the eyes or nose.
A swollen face or wattles could also be a sign of Swollen Head Syndrome (SHS), an acute and highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection caused by the avian metapneumovirus (AMPV). SHS is characterised by swelling of the periorbital and infraorbital sinuses, particularly around the eye, coupled with mild conjunctivitis. The only way to know for sure that your hen has SHS is through testing at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
Finally, head shaking in chickens can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from normal visual functions to more serious illnesses or parasitic infections. Gapeworms, a common parasite in chickens, can cause head-shaking behaviour. Chickens may also shake their heads to dislodge foreign objects that have entered their crop or throat. In addition, head shaking can indicate a possible head injury, throat or ear infection, vitamin deficiency, or an illness such as exotic Newcastle disease, EEE, Mareks, Pasteurella, or fowl cholera. If you are concerned about your hen's head-shaking behaviour, consult a veterinarian for advice and treatment.
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Chick care: ensure brooders are draft-free, clean, and well-ventilated
Chicks are susceptible to many health issues, and a common cause of chick death is an inappropriate brooding environment. Brooders are essential to keeping chicks healthy and happy.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the brooder is draft-free. Drafts will cause stress for the chicks and chill them. If the brooder is open on the sides, cardboard can be used to help keep it free from drafts. Brooders should also be well-ventilated, allowing old, stale air to be replaced with fresh, oxygen-laden air. Vents can be placed on the sides of the brooder, or a fan can be used to circulate the air. Chicks need fresh air to breathe.
Secondly, the brooder must be kept clean. Brooders should be cleaned daily and thoroughly cleaned after use. This includes cleaning the water and food dishes daily, and replacing food and water to prevent dehydration and ensure the chicks are receiving essential nutrients. Chicks are big eaters and drinkers, so keeping their food and water full and clean is a top priority.
Finally, the brooder should be a warm and secure spot. The brooder's temperature should be between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, and can be lowered by 5 degrees each week after that. A thermostat-controlled heat lamp is a good way to regulate the temperature, but extreme care must be taken to ensure chicks do not get overheated or chilled. A radiant heater is a safer option.
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Chick health: prevent dehydration, use suitable feeders, and provide adequate light
Preventing Dehydration
Dehydration is a common issue for chickens, especially in extreme temperatures. It can be fatal, so it's important to recognise the signs and take preventative measures. Before dehydration sets in, chickens may pant, spread their wings, and fluff out their feathers. As dehydration takes hold, their breathing becomes heavy and laboured, and they may develop diarrhoea. To prevent dehydration, ensure your chickens always have access to water and keep them in a moderate climate.
Choosing the Right Feeder
The right feeder can help prevent feed contamination and deter rodents. Common types of poultry feeders include tray/bowl feeders, V-front feeders, spin feeders, gravity-fed feeders, and trough feeders. Tray/bowl feeders are inexpensive and allow birds to exhibit natural behaviours, but they can be messy. V-front feeders and gravity-fed feeders minimise spills. Spin feeders scatter feed to encourage natural behaviours but can also create mess. Trough feeders are simple and durable but can be contaminated by chicken droppings. Treadle feeders are popular as they keep pests away, but they can still attract rodents if feed spills onto the ground.
Providing Adequate Light
Lighting plays a crucial role in the growth and well-being of chicks. They require near-constant light during their early days to help them locate food and water easily. As they mature, they need periods of darkness to rest and establish a natural sleeping pattern. A lighting schedule of 12 to 14 hours of light followed by 8 to 10 hours of darkness is recommended. LED, compact fluorescent lights, and heat lamps can be used to provide artificial light, with timers to mimic natural daylight cycles.
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Age and breed: hens live 4-8 years, but backyard birds without genetic issues can live longer
The lifespan of chickens varies depending on breed and care. Most hens live between 4 and 8 years. However, it is not uncommon for backyard birds without genetic issues to live longer, with some sources giving an estimate of 10 to 12 years. The lifespan of chickens can also be influenced by their living environment, diet, and even the pecking order within the flock.
Dual-purpose breeds, which are used for both egg and meat production, generally have a slightly longer lifespan, unless they are raised solely for meat. For example, Brahmas are slower-growing and more genetically sound, and they often live 8 to 10 years. Landrace breeds, such as Swedish Flower Hens, also tend to live longer—often over 10 years. These chickens develop naturally without human intervention and have strong genetics and immune systems, making them highly adaptable. However, Landrace breeds are rare and not easily accessible.
Chicken keepers should be aware of the end-of-life issues and options for their chickens, as these are often left out of chicken-care conversations. It can be challenging for backyard bird owners to recognize signs of disease, as chickens are adept at hiding when they are ill, especially during an end-of-life illness. Some subtle clues that a chicken may be unwell include hiding, decreased appetite, lower egg production, standing oddly, unusual droppings, or lethargy. If a chicken is showing signs of illness, it is important to separate them from the flock, not only to protect them from other chickens but also to prevent the potential spread of contagious diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
A healthy hen should be alert, with bright eyes, combs and wattles. Its nostrils should be clean and feathers should be smooth. It should stand upright and take an interest in its surroundings, eating, drinking and producing waste regularly. If your hen is lethargic, closing its eyes, not eating or drinking, or showing signs of sickness such as a swollen or discoloured comb, it may be dying.
If your hen is showing signs of illness, you should separate it from the flock and bring it inside to keep it warm and comfortable. You can try feeding it bread with vitamins, water, scrambled eggs, or yoghurt. If your hen has a sour crop, you should get it seen by a vet as soon as possible.
There are many reasons chicks may die, including heart failure, stroke, fright, malnutrition, suffocation, bullying, or predators. Chicks can also die from being chilled, so it is important to keep them warm and dry. If the brooder corners are not rounded, chicks can pack themselves into a corner and suffocate. Chicks can also dehydrate very quickly, so it is important to ensure they always have access to water.
