Chicken Problems & Fixes

So… something’s gone wrong with your chickens. They’ve stopped laying.

They look scruffy.

You’ve found a weird egg in the nesting box.

And your first thought is usually:

“Oh shit… what do I do?”

Take a breath.

Most chicken problems are common, fixable, and not nearly as dramatic as they look.

This guide will walk you through:

• The most common chicken problems beginners face

• What’s normal (and what’s not)

• Practical fixes you can do yourself

Because honestly?

Chickens are one of the most capable and forgiving animals you can start with.

Let’s be real for a second.

You need to decide early:

• What you’re willing to treat

• What you’re not

Because when something goes wrong, you don’t want to be debating:

“Do we spend $1000 on a $30 chicken?”

For most small homesteads:

• Minor issues → manage yourself

• Serious suffering → humane dispatch

• Rare cases → vet

There’s no right answer.

But you need a clear plan before problems hit.

This is the #1 panic moment for beginners. Good news?

It’s usually completely normal.

Common Reasons Chickens Stop Laying

Seasonal Changes (Biggest One)

• Less daylight = fewer eggs

• More daylight = more eggs

It’s built into their biology.

Moulting (Feather Reset Mode)

• Chickens drop feathers

• Look scruffy (sometimes shocking 😅)

• Stop laying temporarily

Why?

All their energy goes into growing new feathers, not eggs.

Age

• Young hens = peak production

• Older hens = slower, less frequent laying

Totally normal.

Stress

Can be caused by:

• Moving coops

• New flock members

• Predator scares

• Lack of water or food

Even small stress = drop in egg production.

Nutrition Issues

Big mistake beginners make:

• Too much scratch mix

• Not enough proper feed

Fix:

• Use quality layer pellets

• Always provide fresh water

What To Do

• Don’t panic

• Check food, water, and environment

• Give them time

They will come back into lay.

You will eventually find an egg and think:

“What on earth is THAT?”

Let’s break it down.

Types of Weird Eggs

Soft Shell Eggs

• Rubbery or thin shell

• Often see the yolk through it

👉 Usually calcium deficiency or young hens

Shell-less Eggs

• Just membrane and yolk

👉 Rare, but happens

Double Yolkers

• Two yolks in one egg

👉 Not a problem—actually a win 🎉

Fairy Eggs (Tiny Eggs)

• Super small eggs

• Often from young hens

👉 Completely normal early on

Wrinkled or Misshapen Eggs

• Rough, uneven shell

👉 Often older hens or hormonal changes

How to Fix Egg Issues

• Provide oyster shell (calcium)

• Use quality feed

• Reduce stress

• Be patient (especially with young hens)

Feathers everywhere? Chickens looking rough?

First thought: predator.

Reality (most of the time):

They’re moulting.

Normal Moulting Signs

• Feathers all over the coop

• Patchy, scruffy birds

• Reduced egg production

This is just a reset.

What To Do During Moulting

• Increase protein (up to ~20–21%)

• Add vitamins to water

• Worm and check for parasites

• Be patient

It can last:

• 4–8 weeks

When Feather Loss Is NOT Normal

If only one bird is affected:

Possible Causes:

• Bullying

• Aggressive rooster

• Mites or lice

Then you need to act.

Chickens have a strict hierarchy. It’s called the pecking order—and it’s real.

Signs of Bullying

• One hen chasing another

• Feather pecking

• One bird being targeted

Common Causes

• Overcrowding

• Boredom

• Introducing new chickens

• Limited feeders

How to Fix Bullying

• Give them more space

• Add extra feeders/water points

• Provide enrichment (hang veggies, add perches)

• Introduce new birds slowly

Quick Fix for a Bully

• Isolate the bully (crate method) for 24 hours

• Reintroduce

If it continues:

• Rehome or dispatch

You go to collect eggs… And find broken shells.

Yep. Egg eating.

Why Chickens Eat Eggs

• Boredom

• Nutritional deficiency

• Curiosity

How to Stop It

1. Collect Eggs Daily

Don’t leave temptation sitting there.

2. Improve Diet

• Add calcium

• Use proper feed

3. Use Rollaway Nest Boxes

Egg rolls away → chicken can’t reach it

4. Use Fake Eggs (Best Trick)

• Replace eggs with concrete or fake eggs

• Hen pecks → can’t break it

• Habit breaks quickly

Every chicken owner deals with this at some point. It’s normal—but needs managing.

Signs of Parasites

• Constant scratching

• Feather damage

• Pale comb

• Dirty vent

How to Check

• Look at base of feathers

• You may see tiny crawling bugs

How to Treat

1. Dust Chickens

Use poultry dust or lice powder

2. Clean the Coop (Critical Step)

• Remove bedding

• Wash everything

• Replace with fresh material

3. Repeat in 2 Weeks

Break the life cycle

Preventative Tip

Provide a dust bath:

• Sand

• Ash

• Diatomaceous earth

Chickens will self-clean.

Most issues are manageable.

But these are red flags:

• Lethargy (not moving, isolated)

• Not eating

• Breathing issues

• Severe injuries

• Rapid weight loss

What To Do

• Isolate the bird immediately

• Observe closely

• Decide: treat, vet, or humane dispatch

Here’s the truth:

Chickens will always throw something at you.

But most of it?

• Normal

• Fixable

• Part of the learning curve

You don’t need to panic.

You just need to understand what you’re looking at.

• Observe your flock daily

• Learn what’s “normal” for your birds

• Keep feed, water, and coop conditions consistent

• Act early when something looks off

And remember… There’s always someone who’s dealt with it before.

You’ve got this.