Jake Harper
If you notice your chicken shaking, it could be a sign of something bothering them. Chickens shake their heads to see things clearly, but frequent shaking and scratching can indicate an underlying condition. This could be due to a foreign object in their crop or throat, an infection, or even a vitamin deficiency. In some cases, it may be a sign of a more serious disease or neurological disorder. Therefore, it is important to monitor your chicken's behaviour and seek veterinary advice if you have any concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vision | Chickens move their heads to focus their eyes on objects |
| Foreign object in throat/crop | Gapeworms, parasites, food blockage |
| Throat infection | Caused by parasites or blockages |
| Vitamin deficiency | Vitamin E, selenium |
| Illness/disease | Exotic Newcastle disease, EEE, Mareks, Pasteurella, Fowl cholera, torticollis, respiratory infection, neurological disorder |
| Injury | Head injury |
| Infestation | Lice, mites, including ear mites |
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Throat irritation
A chicken shaking its head is usually an indication that something is bothering it. Throat irritation in chickens can be caused by a variety of factors, and it is important to identify the underlying cause to ensure proper care and treatment. Here are some possible reasons for throat irritation in chickens:
- Foreign Objects: Chickens may shake their heads vigorously and drink a lot of water when a foreign object enters their crop or throat. This can include swallowing feathers, bedding, or long blades of grass. In such cases, a veterinarian can manually remove the obstruction.
- Infections and Parasites: Throat infections, including parasitic infections such as gapeworms, can cause throat irritation in chickens. Gapeworms in the nose or throat can be safely removed by a veterinarian, who may also prescribe deworming medication to expel parasites.
- Crop Impaction: Sometimes, the crop, which is a pouch that buffers food before it reaches the stomach, can become partially blocked or impacted. This can irritate the chicken's throat, leading to head-shaking and vigorous drinking. Massage may help dislodge the blockage, but severe cases require veterinary attention to prevent rapid deterioration.
- Respiratory Infections: Head shaking in chickens can be an early sign of respiratory infections or diseases, such as infectious coryza or chronic respiratory disease. These infections target the chicken's respiratory system and can cause additional symptoms like nasal discharge and eye tearing.
- Ear and Eye Infections: Throat irritation in chickens can also be associated with ear and eye infections. Chickens may shake their heads to relieve discomfort and itchiness caused by these infections. Outer and middle ear infections often cause frequent head scratching and rubbing, while inner ear infections can lead to coordination issues and strange head positions.
- External Parasites: Lice, mites, and fleas can cause external irritation to chickens, leading to head-shaking. Red mites, for example, are blood-sucking parasites that hide in the cracks of the chicken coop. Gapeworms are another type of parasite that can cause throat irritation and strange behavior in chickens.
While occasional head-shaking can be a natural behavior in chickens, frequent and excessive head-shaking, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, may indicate an underlying condition. It is always advisable to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan to ensure the health and well-being of your chickens.
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Visual functions
Chickens have a unique visual system that allows them to see a broader range of colours and ultraviolet light. Unlike humans, chickens have independent vision, meaning they must move their heads to focus on objects. This is a normal visual function and is not usually a cause for concern. However, frequent or constant head shaking accompanied by other symptoms may indicate an underlying issue.
One possible explanation for head shaking in chickens is irritation in the throat, eyes, ears, or other facial areas. This irritation can be caused by foreign objects, such as feathers, bedding, or grass, getting stuck in their crop or throat. Chickens will try to dislodge these objects by shaking their heads vigorously, gasping, or extending their necks. In such cases, it is important to consult a veterinarian for proper treatment and to prevent complications.
Head shaking in chickens can also be a sign of parasitic infections, such as mites or lice, which are more common during warmer months. These parasites cause itchiness and discomfort, leading to excessive head shaking. It is crucial to isolate the affected chicken and seek veterinary advice to prevent the spread of disease and ensure proper treatment.
In some cases, head shaking in chickens may indicate a more serious condition, such as neurological problems, respiratory infections, or diseases like exotic Newcastle disease, EEE, Mareks, or fowl cholera. If the head shaking is frequent and accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, difficulty breathing, or coordination issues, it is essential to consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
While head shaking can be a natural behaviour for chickens, it is important for owners to monitor their flock closely and seek veterinary advice if the behaviour becomes frequent or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. By doing so, chicken owners can ensure the health and well-being of their flock.
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Head injury
Head injuries can cause chickens to shake or jerk their heads. However, there are several other possible causes of this behaviour, which can indicate that something is bothering the chicken.
Vision
Due to their independent vision, chickens have to move their heads to focus their eyes on objects. They can see more colours than humans and can also see the ultraviolet spectrum. Therefore, head shaking can be a normal part of a chicken's behaviour.
Parasites and infections
Head shaking can be a sign of parasites or infections, such as mites, lice, fleas, or gapeworms. These external parasites can cause itchiness and irritation, leading to head shaking as a natural response to relieve discomfort. Infections can include throat, ear, or eye infections, respiratory diseases, or neurological disorders.
Foreign objects
Chickens may shake their heads to expel foreign objects that have entered their crop or caused crop impaction. This can be accompanied by gasping or extending their necks.
Vitamin deficiency
A lack of vitamin E in a chicken's diet can lead to head shaking. This is a rare occurrence, but a veterinarian can easily administer vitamins or supplements to address the deficiency.
Illness or disease
Head shaking can indicate that a chicken is suffering from an illness or disease, such as exotic Newcastle disease, EEE, Mareks, Pasteurella, or fowl cholera.
It is important to monitor a chicken's behaviour and consult a veterinarian if head shaking persists or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms.
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Vitamin deficiency
While shaking in chickens can be indicative of a vitamin deficiency, it is important to note that there are other potential causes. These include foreign objects in the crop or throat, throat infections, parasites, and neurological issues. Therefore, if you suspect that your chicken is deficient in a particular vitamin, it is important to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Vitamin deficiencies in chickens can have various causes, including improper diet, heavy parasite infestation, digestive conditions, high temperatures, and diseases. Commercial feed typically contains a comprehensive mix of vitamins and minerals, reducing the likelihood of deficiencies. However, vitamin deficiencies can still occur if the feed deteriorates over time or if the flock's diet includes a significant amount of scraps, grains, or free-range food lacking essential nutrients.
Vitamin A deficiency, for example, can cause slow growth, anorexia, drowsiness, weakness, incoordination, ruffled feathers, and pale combs in chicks. In adult birds, it can lead to weight loss, ruffled feathers, rough skin, inflamed eyes, mouth sores, and reduced egg production.
Vitamin D3 deficiency can result in rickets in young chickens, causing severe leg weakness, bowed legs, and soft beaks and claws. In laying hens, it can lead to osteoporosis and poor eggshell quality, even with adequate calcium and phosphorus intake.
Vitamin E and selenium play mutually supportive roles in preventing muscular dystrophy in chickens. Deficiency in these vitamins can lead to uncoordinated movements, enlarged hocks, and an inability to walk or stand.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency can affect the muscles, heart, nerves, and digestive system of chickens. It can cause clinical signs such as stargazing, where the chicken sits on flexed legs with its head drawn back.
In summary, while shaking in chickens can be a sign of vitamin deficiency, there are other potential causes that should be considered. Consult a veterinarian to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Vitamin deficiencies in chickens can have various causes and present with specific symptoms, depending on the deficient vitamin.
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Parasitic infection
Head-shaking in chickens can indicate that something is wrong. While chickens naturally shake their heads to see things clearly, frequent head-shaking and scratching may be a sign of an underlying condition.
One possible cause of head-shaking in chickens is a parasitic infection. Chickens can become infected by internal parasites when they consume worm eggs, worm larvae, or intermediate hosts containing worm eggs or larvae. These intermediate hosts can include insects such as cockroaches, earthworms, flies, beetles, pill bugs, slugs, snails, grasshoppers, termites, earwigs, ants, and dung beetles. Chickens can also be infected by other chickens, wild birds, insects, and other wildlife.
There are several types of parasites that can infect chickens, including:
- Gapeworms: These worms infect the respiratory system and throat of chickens, causing symptoms such as gasping, coughing, constant yawning, and head-shaking. They are called gapeworms because infected chickens display open-mouthed breathing, also known as "the gapes." Gapeworms can be safely removed by a veterinarian.
- Eye worms: These worms infect the eyes of chickens, causing swollen eyes, constant blinking, blindness, and eye irritation.
- Roundworms: These are the most common intestinal parasite found in poultry. They can cause severe weight loss and even death if the intestine becomes impacted.
- Flatworms: These worms are flat and ribbon-like or leaf-like in shape. Tapeworms infect the intestinal tract of chickens, while flukes are not common in the United States due to their preference for warm, tropical climates.
- Cecal worms: These worms are found in the cecal pouches of chickens and are not believed to adversely affect performance unless there is a severe infestation. They can also serve as carriers of the parasite Histomonas meleagridis, which causes blackhead, primarily in turkeys but also in chickens.
- Northern Fowl Mite: This parasite is passed from hen to hen and is most easily seen on white birds as the feathers acquire a dirty tinge. It can be found anywhere on the body but is most commonly found under the tail.
If you suspect your chicken has a parasitic infection, it is important to consult a veterinarian. They can perform a fecal exam to look for worm eggs or parasites in the chicken's poop or in the eggs laid by an infected hen. This is the most accurate way to diagnose a parasitic infestation. Deworming medication can be used to expel parasites from the chicken's body.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why a chicken might shake its head. It could be trying to see something more clearly, or it could be irritated by something in its throat, eyes, ears, or another part of its face. If the head-shaking is frequent or constant, it could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as an infection, disease, vitamin deficiency, or neurological disorder.
A chicken shaking its head vigorously could be a sign of a foreign object or blockage in its throat or crop. It could also indicate an infection, such as ear mites or a respiratory infection. In some cases, it may be a sign of a more serious disease, such as Marek's disease or exotic Newcastle disease.
If your chicken is shaking its head, it's important to observe its behavior and look for any other symptoms. If the head-shaking is frequent or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it's best to consult a veterinarian. They can help diagnose and treat the issue properly and safely.
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