Colds

Problem: Chickens are susceptible to a variety of colds just like humans - Runny nose or blocked nose - Buggly eyes - Strong distinct smell in the henhouse - A cheesy-like substance in their eyes, nose or mouth - Sneezing - Gasping - Coughing.

Cause: This is environmental.

Solution: Ensure housing is draught-proof and clean.

Make sure they are not overcrowded, have plenty of food and water as birds under stress are more susceptible.

Once noticed isolate the bird from the flock

Wash their eyes and keep their nose clear.

Ensure it's fluid intake is high, include extra garlic in the water.

Teaspoons of strong sage tea can be given, along with inhalations of eucalyptus vapour.

Keep the bird warm.

If not picking up, possibly medication may be necessary.

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Crooked Beak

If it is a genetic fault the two parents may be too closely related, or they both may be carrying this particular gene and it would be recommended not to breed these two birds together again, if this fault reappears through a different pairing, you may wish to kull this birds from your breeding stock.

If through the incubator, monitor closely the next egg batch & make sure your thermometer is working correctly, or use a broody hen to hatch.

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Crooked Toes

If it is a genetic fault the two parents may be too closely related, or they both may be carrying this particular gene and it would be recommended not to breed these two birds together again, if this fault reappears through a different pairing, you may wish to kull this birds from your breeding stock.

If through the incubator, monitor closely the next egg batch & make sure your thermometer is working correctly, or get a broody hen to hatch.

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Egg Bound

Problem: Sometimes a hen makes obvious attempts to lay but nothing happens and she exhibits signs of stress.

Cause: Not sure, said to be a deficiency of calcium & phosphorous

Solution: Carefully holding the hen's vent over a pot of steaming hot water will make it relax the oviduct. Alternatively lubricate the vent with some olive oil.

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Large Crest - Can't See

Problem: Sometimes the crests are too large on the young Polish & their vision is impaired.

Cause: Breeding incorrectly

Solution: Don't get carried away with excessive crest breeding, this will only be detrimental to the bird and indeed they can even have difficulties hatching due to the size of the skull.

You could place a headband on the Polish to train the crest to stay up. Be careful that it is not on to tight & the birds cannot close their eyes, but also make sure it is not to lose as they will pull it straight off, example is to the right. Do this for a month on and then a month off to see how the crest is progressing.

If you are not showing the birds, you can also trim away a little bit of the crest so they can see, example is to the right.

Remember if you trim their crest, after they moult the next year, it will grow back, so you may have to do an annual haircut.

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Lice

Problem: Lice can be found by checking regularly, also some may appear on eggs. Severe infections can cause chooks to appear lethargic or unwell.

Cause: This is environmental.

Solution: No matter where you are, or how clean you keep your pens, at some stage your birds may get lice (sometimes bought in by wild birds).

Make sure your pens are cleaned regularly, checking nest boxes and checking birds you can ensure you don't get infestations.

Any lice that are found need to be treated immediately, example is the bottom three pictures to the right - pick up your bird by the feet & hold upside down, and dust with Derris dust or a recommended poultry dust, make sure you get in & around the infestation and the rest of the bird, take special care to dust around the crest of the Polish as they cannot get rid of the lice themselves in this area. Once you have given the bird a thorough dusting, place the bird gently back onto the ground.

Ensure the birds have a good, dry spot to dust bath, this will help keep lice away.

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Feather Picking

Problem: Large sections of the crest are missing.

Cause: Usually an environmental problem.

Solution: Other birds may be bored, so they start pecking out the crest of the Polish.

Keep the Polish separate from other breeds.

Don't let the chickens get bored, give them ample space to explore, run or roam.

Possibly lacking salt in their diet, so they peck the feathers out to get the salt out of the blood. However don't feed straight salt to the chickens as they will get sick, provide a good variety of foods and also shell grit.

After the next moult, these feathers will grown back again, or if removed from this situation may grow back before the moult.

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Poor Housing Conditions

Problem: Colds, encourages pests (e.g. vermin, lice, mites etc).

Cause: This is environmental.

Solution: Ensure pens are not to draughty.

Keep clean bedding for your birds, I use wood shavings as they are excellent for keeping their bedding dry and absorb the odour.

Keep pens clean from lice and mites by a spray mixture of Metholated Spirits/Olive Oil/Eucalyptus Oil.

Predator proof.

Try to ensure adequate shade in the summer and protection from rain, wind and cold draught in winter.

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Scaly Leg

Problem: Mites make homes underneath the scales of the chook legs. Usually quite common in older birds. It looks like a white crusty leg deformity.

Cause: This is environmental.

Solution: Parafin Oil painted on the legs

To get at the mites gently scrub legs with a nailbrush & solution of soapy water & ammonia. Then apply any of the following & don't forget to also wash the roosts with the same mixture.

• Vaseline or a vaseline-based chest rub.
• Cooking oil, a few drops of kerosene or tee-tree oil, eucalyptus or sassafras oil.
• Neem extract spray.
• Crushed white cedar flowers with equal amounts of cooking oil - soak for several hours.

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Split or Twisted Crest

Problem: Crest is split up the middle like a part.

Cause:

Solution:

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Split Wing

Problem: Sever split in the flight feathers.

Cause:

Solution:

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Worms

Problem: Faeces stuck to the feathers around bottom. Runny droppings.

Cause: This is environmental.

Solution: Worm your birds possibly 2 or more times a year or as needed.

Dried garlic in their water on a regular basis, helps to naturally worm the Polish.

Check your birds regularly.

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Wry Neck

Problem: Neck bent backwards, or backwards and twisted and turn repeatedly in circles trying to gain balance.

Cause: Possibly genetic, or result of brain damage/infection, or bad feed.

Solution: If it is bad feed, feed from a syringe because they can't eat or drink. After a week of water, vitamins and food through syringe they may show signs of recovery.

If they have not started to recover, then it may be genetic or brain damage and the kindest outcome would be to put the chicken down as it will get worse until the chicken has a painful death.

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Wry Tail

Problem: Tail does not sit in alignment with the body & juts out either to the left or the right away from the body.

Cause:

Solution:

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