Emily Carter
There are several reasons why a chicken might shake or scratch its head. Sometimes, it is a normal behaviour, such as when they need to adjust their feathers or break up food into smaller pieces. However, frequent or constant head shaking could be a sign of an underlying condition. Some common causes of head shaking in chickens include infections, parasites, allergies, stress, poor diet, or environmental factors. If you notice persistent head shaking along with other concerning symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Normal behaviour | Preening, scratching, dust bathing, adjusting feathers, communicating, expressing fear or happiness |
| Underlying condition | Infection, parasites, allergies, stress, poor diet, environmental factors, neurological problems, vitamin E deficiency |
| Irritation | In nose, ear, throat, eyes, skin |
| Foreign object | Food, water, dirt, wax, beetles |
| Parasites | Mites, lice, fleas, gapeworms |
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What You'll Learn
Irritation in the nose, ear, or throat
Chickens may scratch and shake their heads to relieve irritation in the nose, ear, or throat. This irritation could be caused by an infection, such as an ear infection, a respiratory infection, or infectious coryza, a bacterial disease that causes a foul-smelling discharge from the beak and nares. Infections can cause discomfort and pain, leading to head-shaking behaviour.
Throat and ear infections can cause chickens to shake their heads to relieve pain and discomfort. Chickens with chronic respiratory disease often show clinical signs associated with the respiratory system, including mild tracheitis, sinusitis, airsacculitis, and conjunctivitis.
In addition to infections, parasites such as mites, lice, and fleas can cause irritation in the nose, ear, or throat, leading to head-shaking behaviour. External parasites like mites and lice can cause itching and irritation to a chicken's skin, feathers, and ears. Gapeworms, a common parasite in chickens, can also cause head-shaking behaviour as the chicken tries to rid itself of the irritation.
Crop impaction, or blockage in the crop (a part of the chicken's digestive system), can also irritate the throat and cause head-shaking. Chickens may stretch their necks and try to swallow or drink a lot to relieve the blockage.
Finally, vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin E deficiency, can cause neurological symptoms such as head shaking.
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Allergies
Chickens can be allergic to various things, including dust, pollen, and certain types of feed. Allergies can cause chickens to scratch and shake their heads frequently, indicating a potential underlying condition.
Chickens naturally shake their heads to relieve itchiness or keep their feathers clean. However, excessive head shaking may signal an allergy or other health issue. For example, vitamin E deficiency can cause neurological symptoms such as head shaking, and this can be easily addressed by a veterinarian through vitamins or supplements.
If you suspect allergies or other health issues, it is important to consult a veterinarian for a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. They can help identify the specific allergens and provide guidance on managing your chicken's environment and diet to minimize exposure.
In some cases, allergies may be related to respiratory issues. Chickens with respiratory infections may shake their heads to clear their airways. Allergens such as pollen or dust could potentially trigger or worsen these respiratory problems.
It is worth noting that head-shaking and scratching can also be caused by external parasites like mites, lice, and fleas, which can irritate a chicken's skin and cause discomfort. These parasites may be found in the feathers, skin, and ears of chickens and can spread quickly to other birds in the flock.
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Infections
Chickens are unique in that they have to move their heads to focus their eyes on objects, unlike humans, who simply move their eyes. Thus, it is normal for a chicken to shake its head. However, excessive head shaking and scratching may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as an infection.
Throat and Ear Infections
Throat and ear infections can cause chickens discomfort and pain, leading to head-shaking behaviour. Chickens may shake their heads to relieve themselves of the irritation. A chicken with an ear infection may also exhibit other symptoms, such as itchiness, leading to frequent scratching and head shaking. If left untreated, an ear infection can lead to hearing loss.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections can cause chickens to shake their heads to clear their airways. Infectious coryza is a global bacterial disease that spreads quickly once it infects a flock. It targets the respiratory system of a chicken, causing a swollen face and sinuses, nasal discharge, and eye tearing. As a result, chickens frequently shake their heads in an attempt to find relief. Infectious laryngotracheitis is another contagious viral disease that affects a chicken's respiratory system and eyes.
Inner Ear Infections
Inner ear infections can have neurological impacts on chickens, causing coordination issues. Chickens with inner ear infections may exhibit symptoms such as tilting their heads, getting out of balance, shaking their heads, and holding their heads in strange positions (wry neck).
Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E is essential for the proper functioning of a chicken's nervous system. A deficiency in vitamin E can cause neurological symptoms such as head shaking.
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Parasites
Gapeworms are another common parasite that can affect chickens, causing them to shake their heads to rid themselves of the irritation. Additionally, ear mites can infest the ear canals, leading to intense itching and irritation that may result in head-shaking.
It is important to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your chicken is experiencing parasitic infections, as they can prescribe medication or vitamins to treat the issue. Attempting to remove parasites yourself can be harmful to the chicken.
In addition to parasites, there are other potential causes of head-shaking and scratching in chickens, such as infections, vitamin deficiencies, foreign objects, and environmental factors. It is important to monitor the frequency and context of head-shaking behaviour to determine if there are any underlying health concerns.
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Neurological problems
Chickens can exhibit certain behaviours that are a cause for concern for their owners. One such behaviour is head scratching and shaking. While it is normal for chickens to shake their heads to see things clearly, frequent head scratching and shaking can indicate an underlying condition.
Some of the possible neurological problems that can cause chickens to scratch and shake their heads are outlined below.
Avian Encephalomyelitis
Avian Encephalomyelitis is a chicken illness that can cause neurological issues such as loss of coordination, an inability to stand, head shaking, and other neurological problems.
Botulism
Botulism is a chicken illness that can lead to paralysis of the limbs and neck, tremors, and torticollis.
Encephalomalacia
Encephalomalacia is a neurological illness that initially presents as a loss of balance, circling, and head shaking or tremors. Eventually, it can lead to convulsions and paralysis.
Newcastle Disease
Newcastle Disease can manifest as neurological symptoms such as paralysis or partial paralysis of the limbs, head twisting, walking in circles, clumsiness, and tremors.
Nutritional Myopathy
Nutritional Myopathy causes muscle deterioration, leading to clumsiness and weakness in chickens.
Polyneuritis
Polyneuritis is a neurological illness characterised by head shaking, tremors, convulsions, and "star gazing" (paralysis of neck muscles).
Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E is crucial for the proper functioning of a chicken's nervous system. A deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms, including head shaking.
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Frequently asked questions
Chickens shake their heads to see things clearly. They have independent vision, meaning they have to move their heads to focus their eyes on objects. Excessive head shaking, however, may be indicative of an underlying condition.
Excessive head shaking in chickens can be caused by irritation in the nose, ear, or throat. Common causes include infections, parasites, and allergies.
Symptoms of an ear infection in chickens include frequent scratching, rubbing, and shaking of the head. Chickens with ear infections may also exhibit coordination issues, tilting their heads, getting out of balance, and holding their heads in strange positions.
If your chicken is exhibiting excessive head-shaking behaviour, you should consult a veterinarian. They may prescribe supplements rich in vitamin E or selenium if the issue is caused by a vitamin deficiency. If the head shaking is caused by a foreign object, throat infection, or parasite such as gapeworms, a veterinarian can safely remove these.
