Help! My chicken… quick triage for the 8 most common “something’s off” moments
This is the page you open when you’re stressed, Googling at 11pm, and trying to work out whether you need to panic — or just fix something basic.
Choose what looks most like your situation
These are written for real gardens and real time constraints — not perfect-world advice.
My chicken stopped laying
Stress, moult, winter light, diet — and the “it’s normal but you need to adjust” list.
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My chicken is limping
Foot checks, bumblefoot red flags, sprains, and when to stop “waiting and seeing”.
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Mites / lice / itching
How to tell what you’re dealing with and what actually solves it (not wishful thinking).
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Sneezing / watery eyes
Dust and ventilation vs. a respiratory issue. What to change tonight.
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Bullying / feathers getting pulled
Space, boredom, multiple feeders, and why “they’ll work it out” can be a lie.
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Crop feels wrong
What a normal crop feels like, common mistakes, and when it’s urgent.
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Soft-shelled / weak eggs
Calcium, stress, age, and the “stop doing that” list that fixes most cases.
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Dirty eggs
Usually a nest box + bedding + mud problem — not “dirty chickens”.
Go to guide →
Prevention kit (what stops most emergencies)
- Correct coop/run sizing (space prevents bullying + mud)
- Fox-proof run basics (stress kills laying)
- Ventilation (respiratory issues often start here)