Common Signs of Disease in
Pasture + Free Range
Layer Hens
Interactive Necropsy
Use this interactive necropsy illustration to assist in preliminary diagnosis. If you see signs of illness, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Select an organ to see relevant info below.
Basic Internal Anatomy
- A: Face
- B: Trachea
- C: Heart
- D: Lungs
- E: Kidney
- F: Ovaries
- G: Oviduct
- H: Intestines
- I: Liver
- J: organ J
- K: organ K
Common Diseases of the Selected Organ
Tetany
Aka "tetany"
Affects:
Lungs, Ovaries, Trachea, Muscle
Description:
Appears similar to suffocation/heat stress, but with a fully formed egg in the oviduct.
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Soft Bones
Affects:
End of Keel or Leg Bones
Description:
Bones can be bent without breaking.
Coccidiosis or Necrotic Enteritis
Affects:
Intestines
Description:
The intestines are red and thickened on the outside. Inside, they are red and have a rough towel-like appearance.
Hepatitis
Affects:
Liver
Description:
The liver is enlarged, firm, and/or has irregular coloration.
Fatty Liver
with or without hemorrhage
Affects:
Liver
Description:
The liver is large and yellow or pale. Sometimes, it's covered in a blood clot.
Peritonitis
Affects:
Abdomen
Description:
There is a yellow, cheesy substance somewhere inside the abdomen.
Sinusitis
Affects:
Face
Description:
The side of the face is filled with a fluid or yellow, cheesy substance.
Salpingitis
Affects:
Oviduct
Description:
The oviduct is larger than normal and filled with a yellow, cheesy substance.
Gout
Affects:
Heart, Liver or Kidney
Description:
Internal organs have a white, chalky substance on their surface.
Tracheitis
with or without Tracheal Plug
Affects:
Trachea
Description:
The trachea is red and may contain a firm yellow plug, blood, and/or mucus.
Suffocation or Heat Stress
Affects:
Lungs, Ovaries, Trachea, Muscle
Description:
Affected organs appear darkened and red.
Cystic Oviduct
aka: "False Layer Syndrome"
Affects:
Oviduct
Description:
The oviduct is larger than normal and filled with clear fluid.
Select an organ above to see documented diseases for it.
