If you have noticed your backyard chickens appearing weak, wobbly, or reluctant to move around, you may be wondering why they seem lethargic and off balance. There are a few potential causes for these symptoms in chickens that require different treatments.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Lethargy and balance issues in chickens can be caused by illness, injury, nutritional deficiency, or environmental factors like extreme heat or cold. Identifying the root cause is important for getting your flock back to health.
Common Illnesses Causing Lethargy and Balance Problems
Infectious Bronchitis
Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease caused by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). It affects the respiratory tract, kidneys, and reproductive system of chickens. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, decreased egg production, and kidney damage.
Infected birds also become lethargic, huddle near heat sources, and develop balance issues due to swelling in the upper respiratory tract.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, infectious bronchitis has up to 100% morbidity in unvaccinated flocks. Vaccination and biosecurity measures are critical to prevent outbreaks which can quickly spread through poultry houses.
Marek’s Disease
Marek’s disease is a contagious viral neoplastic disease caused by the Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 virus. It attacks the nervous system resulting in paralysis, leg weakness, loss of coordination, and irregular gait in chickens.
According to the Center for Food Security and Public Health, mortality can range from 5-20% in unvaccinated flocks.
The virus targets rapidly dividing lymphoid tissue cells but can affect organs throughout the body. Over time, infected birds develop debilitating neurological signs and often die from organ failure or secondary infections due to immunosuppression.
Fowl Pox
Fowl pox is caused by the Avipoxvirus virus that causes pox lesions on the skin, respiratory tract, and mucous membranes of infected birds. Symptoms include scabby sores on non-feathered areas like the comb, wattles, eyes, mouth, nasal passages, and sometimes internally in the esophagus and trachea.
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the dry form of fowl pox generally causes 10-50% mortality while the wet form has >50% mortality. Supportive care and isolation help infected flocks recover within several weeks.
Botulism
Botulism is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Toxin types C and D most often affect poultry. Ingesting the preformed toxin from contaminated feed, litter, soil, or carcasses leads to paralysis, weakness, and death.
It also causes droopy wings, neck weakness, poor coordination, tremors, and locomotion problems.
| Type | Mortality Rate |
| Type C | 60-80% |
| Type D | 5-20% |
According to Merck Veterinary Manual, botulism outbreaks on farms can have mortality rates from 5% to 80% depending on the toxin type and dose. Only prompt antitoxin treatment can reverse paralysis and lower mortality rates.
Injuries and Parasites
Sprains, Fractures, and Foot Injuries
Chickens that seem lethargic and off balance may be suffering from sprains, fractures, or foot injuries that make it painful for them to walk or perch properly. These types of injuries can occur if a chicken falls off a roost or gets its foot caught in wiring or fencing.
Signs that a chicken may have a sprain or fracture include:
- Holding one leg off the ground
- Visible swelling around a leg or foot joint
- Refusing to bear weight on one leg
- Sitting for long periods without moving
Chickens use their feet to balance, so foot injuries can also lead to unusual posture, falling over, or inability to perch. Bumblefoot and scaly leg mites are common foot issues.
To help a chicken recover, restrict them to a small pen and perch area to limit movement. You can make a chick sling out of fabric to help take weight off injured legs. Provide soft bedding. Veterinary wraps, splints, pain medication, or antibiotics may be needed for serious injuries.
Most fractures take 2-6 weeks to heal.
Mites and Lice
External parasites like mites and lice can weaken a chicken and cause off-balance, lethargic behavior. Mites tend to concentrate on areas around the vent, face, and legs. Lice spread across the bird’s skin and feathers.
An infestation leads to inflammation, itching, broken feathers, and overall irritation.
Heavy mite/louse populations drain considerable blood from the host chicken. Anemia sets in, leaving hens pale colored and extremely tired. Without treatment, some birds succumb to the infestation.
| Mites | Lice |
|---|---|
| Microscopic bugs | Bigger parasites visible to naked eye |
| Hide in nooks and cranny areas | Attached to feather shafts |
| Feed on skin and feathers | Feed on dry skin and feather bits |
| More common in summer | More prevalent in winter |
To treat mites and lice, thoroughly clean the chicken coop and dust birds with poultry-approved powder containing Permethrin, spinosad, or Ivermectin (check with your vet first).重复治疗2周. Spraying roosts and walls with pesticides will kill any hiding bugs.
With prompt treatment, most chickens fully recover from external parasites. But the sooner you act, the less misery your flock must endure. Weakened birds may need nutritional supplements to regain strength. Check wild birds or new chickens for parasites before introducing them to your existing flock.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D are essential nutrients for bone health and egg production in chickens. A deficiency in either nutrient can cause problems:
- Weak and brittle bones that are prone to fractures
- Reduced egg production and egg shell quality
- Increased risk of infectious diseases
- Impaired muscle and nerve function causing lameness or paralysis
Signs of a calcium or vitamin D deficiency include: lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, unsteady gait, soft or thin-shelled eggs, bowed or rubbery legs, and spontaneous bone fractures. These deficiencies are often seen together since vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption.
Causes include: inadequate levels of calcium or vitamin D in the diet, lack of direct sunlight exposure to stimulate vitamin D production, kidney or gut diseases that reduce nutrient absorption, and certain medications. Testing blood calcium and vitamin D levels can help diagnose deficiencies.
Treatment involves correcting the underlying cause and providing supplemental calcium and vitamin D either in the diet, through injections, or by increasing sunlight exposure. Preventing deficiencies means providing a nutritionally balanced layer feed, access to greens and insects that are naturally high in these nutrients, and outdoor access so chickens can bask in the sun.
Vitamin E and Selenium
Vitamin E and selenium also play critical roles in chicken health, especially muscle and nerve function.
- Vitamin E – protects cells from oxidative damage
- Selenium – essential for production of selenoproteins involved in antioxidant activity and thyroid hormone metabolism
Deficiencies in either nutrient can cause health issues including:
- Muscle weakness and paralysis
- Reproductive disorders
- Reduced egg production
- Liver damage
Signs of vitamin E/selenium deficiency include: lethargy, hesitant gait, paralysis (especially in the legs), reduced egg production, diarrhea, impaired vision, and higher mortality rates.
Causes stem from inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption disorders, oxidative damage from toxins or infections, and low levels in the soil affecting feed ingredients. Diagnosing deficiencies involves measuring vitamin E and selenium blood levels.
Treatment centers on providing oral or injectable vitamin E/selenium supplements, as directed by a vet. Prevention focuses on feeding a complete layer ration containing minimum vitamin E and selenium levels.
Offering chickens kitchen scraps containing wheat germ, nuts, seeds and cold-pressed oils can also help meet needs.
Environmental Causes of Lethargy
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
High environmental temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke in chickens. Chickens do not sweat like humans – they cool themselves by panting and holding their wings away from their bodies. This makes them susceptible to overheating in hot weather.
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Rapid panting
- Wings held loosely away from body
- Decreased activity levels or lethargy
If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can progress to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Bright red face
- Panting ceases
- Wings held close to body
- Loss of balance or falling over
- Trembling
- Increased lethargy
Prevention is key. Provide cool shade and plenty of fresh water. Chickens are healthiest at temperatures between 65-75°F. Use fans, misters, or a kiddie pool with cool water if temperatures will be over 85°F. According to the Happy Chicken Coop, temperatures over 90°F can be dangerous.
Molting
Molting is the natural, annual shedding and regrowth of feathers in chickens. This process is energy and nutrient-intensive, so chickens often display decreased activity levels and lethargy while molting.
During a molt:
- Egg production drops or ceases
- Chickens eat less
- Chickens spend more time resting
Molting lasts 4-6 weeks. Be patient and allow chickens extra rest. Provide extra protein sources like mealworms, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or high-protein feed. Molting is complete once the new feather coat grows in.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a variety of potential reasons your chicken may seem weak, wobbly, or lethargic. Paying close attention to their symptoms and getting an accurate diagnosis from a vet can help determine the appropriate treatment to restore your flock to health.
Providing good nutrition, limiting stressors, and safeguarding their environment are all key to keeping backyard chickens active and balanced.
