Ask Our Experts August/September 2025
Dead Chicken
I found a dead chicken in our chicken run today. There doesn’t seem to be any sign of injury. Predators don’t have access to the run unless something is squeezing through the narrow areas between posts. I suppose it could be a mink; we do have them in our area. But I’m not noticing any bite marks or injuries. I’m guessing that she might have flown off in a startled panic and knocked herself out or broken her neck on a roosting bar in the run or one of the walls or the coop itself.
I’m just wondering if you might have any ideas. I’m noticing a lot of scruffiness to all my chickens. They seem to be molting again. They just molted in the fall. So, I’m wondering if there’s some illness going around, but I’m too new to chicken tending to have any idea what that might be.
Sally Robison
Good morning, Sally.
If they’re scruffy, you need to check for mites and lice. These can cause feathers to be damaged and anemia in your birds. As far as the one that dropped dead, you might take a fecal sample to your vet (or learn to do fecals) to check for internal parasites. Your vet can also perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death in your hen, which can be important to the future health of your flock. Given that their feathers have a scruffy look, I would think you’re looking at a parasite issue.
I hope this helps,
Audra
Knee Problems
I have a baby chicken who walks on his knees.
T.W.
First, isolate the chick so the others don’t trample it. Since chickens are social creatures, it’ll be happiest if it can see other chickens, if that’s possible. Very gently, examine the leg and foot for any sign of a break, such as a rough bone or toe that’s pointing the wrong direction, for example.
If you find an injury, euthanasia might be the most humane option. If there’s not an obvious injury, you could try a brace to straighten the leg and encourage walking on its entirety instead of the knee. Make sure the brace is well-padded, not rubbing, and not too bulky. Monitor closely to make sure the chick can access food and water.
You’d want to see some improvement within a week to 10 days or so, such as quicker movement, a straighter leg, or some willingness to move when you remove the brace to check to make sure it’s not rubbing.
It’s worth giving it a try, but keep in mind that euthanasia may be the kindest option for this chick.
Hope this helps!
Ana
