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Anemia
Anemia develops when a chicken's blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells (erythrocytes) or is experiencing external or internal blood loss. Blood requires hemoglobin (an iron-rich protein within red blood cells) for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body's tissues. Hemoglobin is responsible for giving blood it's bright red color. Normally, old red blood cells die out and are routinely replaced by fresh ones. Chickens that are anemic do not have the ability to replace the cells that die out as quickly as normal.
There are three general types of anemia that occur in chickens, which include blood-loss associated, hemolytic (haemolytic), and depression associated.
Blood-loss Anemia
Blood loss anemia can be the result of internal or external trauma or from ectoparasites (mites and ticks) feeding on their blood.
Hemolytic (haemolytic) Anemia
Haemolytic anaemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is up. A number of diseases, conditions and factors can cause the chicken's body to destroy its own red blood cells.
Depression Anemia
A type of anemia that is usually caused by chronic infectious, toxic or nutritional disease.
Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Bos, J. H., et al Treatment of anemic birds with iron dextran therapy: homologous and heterologous blood transfusions. Tijdschrift voor diergeneeskunde 117 (1992)
