Does your chicken's gullet look swollen and about to explode? Your bird could have Airsacculitis.
What is Airsacculitis?

Airsacculitis (often misdiagnosed as a respiratory disease) is actually a symptom as the result of a disease that the bird has previously contracted. Airsacculitis usually happens in late winter and early fall but can occur at other times in birds that are kept solely indoors in poorly ventilated area's.
Diseases that cause Airsacculitis are:
E. coli
Mycoplasma gallisepticum, (MG)-A chronic respiratory disease (infectious sinusitis) in chickens, pheasants, chukar partridges, peafowl, pigeons, quail, ducks, geese, and psittacine birds. M gallisepticum causes conjunctivitis in wild house finches (and some similar species) in North America. Can be treated with antibiotics but not penicilin. However antibiotics will cure the symptoms (of the disease but not the disease itself (2). (See Mycoplasma gallisepticum symptoms and treatments)
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS)
Mycoplasma melegridis (MM)
What you will find on this page:
Photos of a hen with Airsacculitis
Symptoms of Airsacculitis
Causes of Airsacculitis
Ways to prevent Airsacculitis
Treatments for Airsacculitis
Diseases that cause Airsacculitis are:
E. coli
Mycoplasma gallisepticum, (MG)-A chronic respiratory disease (infectious sinusitis) in chickens, pheasants, chukar partridges, peafowl, pigeons, quail, ducks, geese, and psittacine birds. M gallisepticum causes conjunctivitis in wild house finches (and some similar species) in North America. Can be treated with antibiotics but not penicilin. However antibiotics will cure the symptoms (of the disease but not the disease itself (2). (See Mycoplasma gallisepticum symptoms and treatments)
Mycoplasma synoviae (MS)
Mycoplasma melegridis (MM)
What you will find on this page:
Photos of a hen with Airsacculitis
Symptoms of Airsacculitis
Causes of Airsacculitis
Ways to prevent Airsacculitis
Treatments for Airsacculitis
Symptoms of Airsacculitis in chickens

Moderate to severe swelling around the lower neck
Heavy breathing
Symptoms of the disease that caused it (listed above)
This photo shows the type of swelling that occurs with Airsacculitis in chickens.
Heavy breathing
Symptoms of the disease that caused it (listed above)
This photo shows the type of swelling that occurs with Airsacculitis in chickens.
Causes of Airsacculitis in Chickens
The most common causes of Airsacculitis are:
- Cold stress
- Heat stress
- Poor coop ventilation
- Overcrowding
How to Prevent Airsacculitis
Here is how you can prevent Airsacculitis in your chickens.
- Keep the coop floor, roosts, and nest boxes clean and free of feces buildup (Proper sanitation)
- Sanitize your chicken coops and hen houses, nest boxes, and roosts (See Virkon S Disinfectant to prevent bacterial infections and viruses in chickens, poultry, and livestock)
- Make sure your coop is properly ventilated
- Make sure clean fresh water is available at all times (See the easiest and best way to provide clean water to your chickens)
Treatment for Airsacculitis
- Before you decide on a treatment for airsacculitis you need to determine the cause of it. (See Causes Above)
- Protect against airsacculitis with L-S 50 Water Soluble® Powder. This product will help control airsacculitis but you will still need to treat the disease that caused it. You can get it here: https://www.zoetisus.com/products/poultry/l-s-50-water-soluble-powder.aspx
See More Respiratory Problems & Treatments in Chickens
See our list of possible respiratory problems and treatments for chickens. Learn More
References:
1. airsacculitis | Zoetis US. (2018). Zoetisus.com. Retrieved 17 March 2018, from https://www.zoetisus.com/conditions/poultry/airsacculitis.aspx
2. Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection in Poultry - Poultry - Veterinary Manual. (2018). Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 18 March 2018, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry
1. airsacculitis | Zoetis US. (2018). Zoetisus.com. Retrieved 17 March 2018, from https://www.zoetisus.com/conditions/poultry/airsacculitis.aspx
2. Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection in Poultry - Poultry - Veterinary Manual. (2018). Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 18 March 2018, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry
Enter Our Show Off Your Chicken Contest to Win FREE Prizes!

You could win cool prizes for your chickens! It's easy, just fill out our short official entry form and upload your photo that you want entered in the contest. We will select a new winner on the 4th day every month, announce them and the prize for the next drawing on our official entry form page.If you entered the first drawing and did not win your photos will automatically be entered into the next drawing. If you have not entered your photos yet, you can enter the contest now and be eligible for this contest and the next ones for the rest of the year. Just fill out a short form, upload your photo and you are eligible to win a prize. A new winner is chosen every month.
Enter the Contest
Enter the Contest
Get Your Free Biosecurity Guide Download to Protect Your Chickens Health

We are currently in need of feed, supplies, medical care for rescued chickens, dogs, cats, and other animals at our sanctuary and an expansion so we can purchase a larger farm. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. We don't keep them in tiny cages like most traditional animal shelters do. All of the birds and animals at Chicken Heaven On Earth are free range on almost 2 acres after they are vetted (dewormed, neutered, spayed, or caponized and parasite free) in a farm environment. Payments can be made securely via Paypal.
Chicken Heaven On Earth Rescue Sanctuary Needs Your Help
Best Website for Chicken Care Information Award
Chicken Heaven On Earth-CHOE
Chicken Heaven On Earth The "Go To" place for information about chicken care
Thank You for Visiting Chicken Heaven On Earth! https://www.chickenheavenonearth.com/
Home/Terms of Use/Privacy Policy/Mission Statement/About Us/Disclaimer/Rescued Chickens/How You Can Help Support CHOE Sanctuary/Rescued Chickens Who Need Sponsors/Chicken Care/ Chicken Health/The Weekly Crow/Other Websites by Rev. Penny Dean
Contact Us: chickenheavenonearth@gmail.com
Contact Us: chickenheavenonearth@gmail.com