Signs of poor health
These include:
- Hunched posture
- Erect feathers
- Head tucked under the wing
- Reluctance to move
- Hiding in corners
Feather pecking
Feather pecking is where hens peck and pull at the feathers of other hens, sometimes leading to more serious injuries and even cannibalism. It can affect hens in any system, including commercial farming systems and hens kept as pets. Outbreaks of feather pecking can happen suddenly. Read more about this in our guide to laying hen feather cover.
Parasites
Chickens need regular worming, particularly if they're kept in the same outdoor area for more than a month. You should also check them regularly for parasites, and in particular:
- Lice - these are 2 to 3mm in size and can be found all over the body. They lay their eggs around the shafts of the feathers
- Red mites - these are smaller and can be found under the wings, or in crevices in the chicken house
We have more advice on caring for chickens at home and how to create the best environment for pet chickens.