When to take your chicken to see your veterinarian

Emergency signs that require immediate veterinary care in chickens include:

• Difficulty breathing: Open-mouthed breathing, gasping, tail bobbing, increased sternal motion.
• Darkened/purple/blue comb
• Critically ill birds: These are the guys who are standing away from the other birds with their head lowered, feathers ruffled, and eyes partially to fully closed.
• Anorexic: Birds who have no appetite and haven't eaten in over 24 hours.
• Predator attack victims
• Traumatic injuries
• Maggots are present
• Prolapsed tissues
• Active bleeding, recent blood loss, or blood in droppings.
• Straining to pass an egg or droppings.
• Sudden collapse or seizuring
• Exposure to toxins: Ingestion, topical or aerosol