Hardware Disease in Poultry

Chickens are attracted to small, shiny objects and will peck at just about anything that catches their eye! This makes them excellent for pest control; however, these keen foraging instincts can put them at risk for an ailment commonly known as Hardware Disease. The ingestion of small metal objects (anything from traditional “hardware” like screws, washers, staples to objects like zippers, jewelry, or coins) can cause blockages, punctures, and infections in your bird’s digestive tract. Objects that contact zinc or lead can even cause heavy metal toxicosis. 

Hardware disease can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms can vary greatly and often mimic other illnesses. Reach out to your local University Extension for guidance and testing if you observe any of these symptoms in your flock:

• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Watery, bright green or bloody droppings
• Pale comb/wattles (it is normal for molting or broody hens to lose color in their comb)
• Weight loss
• Deaths 

Unlike larger ruminant livestock, the options to treat hardware disease in poultry is very limited. Due to their size and anatomy, surgery or endoscopy is typically not considered a viable option and would require seeking out an avian specialist. Other supportive care, such as antibiotics, gastroprotectants, or pain medications, may be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. Anecdotally, in backyard chicken groups, you may hear the suggestion to offer grit or oil to help the bird pass the object, but this is not proven to be effective.

With no real practical treatment, prevention really is the best medicine for hardware disease. With a little extra effort, you can help protect your flock.

• When choosing a location for your new coop and run, avoid areas that previously contained construction debris or trash.
• Keep a tidy yard! Be mindful to pick up metal pieces when you see them or after you finish a project.
• Use a magnetic sweeper. Keep in mind that this will only pick up ferrous metals (metals that contain iron).
• If you have the budget and enjoy using gadgets, a metal detector is effective for locating a wider range of metals.
• If you aren’t able to fully remove or prevent metal debris, reconsider free-ranging and restrict your flock’s access to safer areas.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that chickens are quite resilient! Your coop and yard will never be perfect, and that is okay! As responsible flock keepers, we do our best to care for and keep our birds out of harm’s way, but we should not let worry overshadow the enjoyment of raising them.