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As a homesteader or backyard chicken keeper, maintaining a healthy flock can sometimes feel like a full-time job! Even robust and resilient birds are prone to various diseases, so problems such as avian ringworm can catch even the most diligent chicken owner off guard.
Let’s take an in-depth look at what avian ringworm is, how to spot it, and – most importantly – how to prevent and treat it so your chickens stay happy and healthy.
What is avian ringworm?
Despite the name, avian ringworm isn’t caused by worms. It is a fungal skin infection that shows up as circular, ring-like lesions on the skin, which is how the condition got its name. You may also hear avian ringworm referred to as ‘favus’, a more severe form of the infection that causes thick, yellowish crusts on the comb and wattles of chickens.
The fungi that cause avian ringworm are called dermatophytes and live on dead skin cells, hair, and feathers. They thrive in warm, moist environments and feed on keratin in the outermost layers of skin and feathers.
Avian ringworm is highly contagious to chickens and can spread quickly in flocks kept in damp, poorly ventilated conditions. It isn’t usually life-threatening, but can cause significant discomfort and distress to your chickens. If left untreated, favus can lead to secondary skin infections.
How to spot avian ringworm in chickens
Early detection of avian ringworm is essential for preventing its spread and reducing suffering. The first sign is usually areas of feather loss, especially on the head, around the comb and wattles, legs, and near the vent.
If you look closely at these bald patches, you’ll see the classic set of ringworm symptoms: scaly, crusty patches on the skin that form circular or ring-shaped lesions with raised edges and a clearer center.
The lesions themselves can vary in appearance, from raised, bumpy areas to crusty, scabby skin. Over time, as the disease progresses, the skin will become thickened and flaky with a yellowish or white color. This is how avian ringworm got the name ‘white comb’.
Ringworm lesions can be quite itchy, so your hens may scratch or peck at the affected areas more than usual. The birds may also feel quite uncomfortable and spend less time than usual foraging and exploring.
Can chickens pass ringworm to humans?
One important aspect of avian ringworm is that it’s zoonotic, meaning it can spread from animals to humans and vice versa. So your chickens can transmit ringworm to humans, and you can also infect your chickens with ringworm!
People who handle infected chickens or come into contact with contaminated coop materials can develop a fungal skin infection. The symptoms are very similar: ring-shaped, itchy, red patches often with scaling and blistering.
The fungi that cause avian ringworm can survive in the environment for long periods, especially in damp bedding, feathers, and dirt. Always wear
How to treat avian ringworm in chickens
Treating avian ringworm requires addressing both the infected chickens and their environment. Treating the birds without cleaning their living space means that reinfection is likely as soon as treatment has finished.
The first and most important step is to isolate any infected chickens to prevent transmission to the rest of your flock. This gives you better control over treatment and reduces stress on healthy birds.
To treat avian ringworm in chickens, topical antifungal treatments are usually the first line of defense. Over-the-counter fungal creams or ointments, such as those containing miconazole or clotrimazole, are applied directly to the affected skin daily. It’s important to gently clean the lesions before applying medication to help it penetrate better.
In more severe or persistent cases, oral antifungal medications may be necessary, but these should only be administered under veterinary guidance.
Next, it’s time to tackle your chicken’s living quarters. Fungal spores can linger in dust and debris for months, so deep cleaning helps reduce the risk of reinfection. Remove all bedding and thoroughly clean and disinfect the coop. Do the same for feeders, waterers, and any equipment the birds come in contact with.
For your whole flock, supporting their health can help their immune systems fight off the infection more effectively. Make sure they have good quality food, fresh water, and minimal stress to keep them calm, happy, and in top health.
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How to prevent avian ringworm in chickens
When it comes to avian ringworm, prevention is easier than treatment. The key is avoiding the conditions that allow fungi to thrive and spread:
- Keep your coop clean and dry – damp, poorly ventilated areas are fungal breeding grounds.
- Regularly remove soiled bedding and replace it with fresh, dry material.
- Avoid overcrowding; crowded conditions increase stress and skin injuries that make infection easier.
- Quarantine new birds for at least two weeks before introducing them to your flock.
- Provide balanced nutrition and clean water to help maintain strong immune defenses.
- Provide dust baths to help chickens maintain healthy skin and feathers.
Will avian ringworm go away on its own?
In some cases, if avian ringworm lesions appear only on the comb, the infection will heal after several months. However, the chicken is infectious during this time and, if it spreads, the disease may cause more serious problems to weaker members of the flock. So, while a strong immune system may help control mild cases, relying on natural resolution risks prolonged discomfort and secondary infections.
What happens if avian ringworm is left untreated?
Ignoring avian ringworm can lead to long-term complications that are difficult to resolve. Over time, the infection causes extensive damage to the skin and feathers. Thickened lesions are prone to cracking, increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infections that are painful and hard to treat.
In addition, chickens suffering from a chronic ringworm problem will experience constant irritation that can weaken the bird and make it more vulnerable to other diseases. Topped with the fact that an untreated infection can easily be passed to other birds and humans, it makes sense to nip this unpleasant disease in the bud right away.
