Hardware Disease: A Hidden Danger for Backyard Chickens

Hardware disease sounds like something your computer might catch, but it’s actually a serious condition that can affect all poultry, including backyard chickens. It happens when chooks ingest small metal objects like screws, nails, bits of wire, or even metallic feed bag ties. These objects can get stuck in their digestive system, causing internal injuries or, worse, toxic metal poisoning.

Chickens are natural foragers, pecking at anything that catches their eye (or beak!). If there’s something shiny or small enough to swallow, chances are they’ll give it a go – even if it’s something they shouldn’t. The result? A condition that can be deadly if left untreated.
 

Symptoms: It’s Not Always Obvious

The tricky part about Hardware Disease is that its early symptoms can mimic common chicken illnesses. You might think your hen is egg-bound, suffering from a respiratory infection, or just having an off day. If they have actually ingested metal, things can go downhill quickly. Symptoms of Hardware Disease include: 

• Lethargy or weakness – Your chicken may appear less active or uninterested in normal activities.

• Loss of appetite – Affected birds often refuse food, leading to rapid weight loss.

• Weight loss and poor body condition – A sharp keel bone or overall thinness can indicate a digestive issue.

• Ruffled feathers – This is often a sign of discomfort or illness.

• Greenish droppings – Can indicate heavy metal poisoning. Droppings may also be watery or have an unusual colour.

• Diarrhoea, stinky poop – Frequent, watery droppings with a strong odour can be a sign of toxicity.

• Regurgitation or difficulty swallowing – If a metal object is lodged in the crop, you may notice difficulty swallowing or food backing up.

• Laboured breathing – Difficulty breathing can occur if toxins affect the nervous system or if the digestive tract is obstructed.

• Swelling in the crop or gizzard – A hard or distended crop may suggest an obstruction.

• Tremors, seizures, or loss of coordination – These neurological signs can appear in severe cases, particularly with lead poisoning.

• Staggering, loss of balance, difficulty walking, loss of coordination, falling, stumbling, unsteady, tumbling – Neurological effects of heavy metal poisoning.

• Leg paralysis, walking stiffly, inability to move, lower limb rigidity – Possible neurological impact from metal ingestion.

• Pale skin around the face, comb, and wattles – A sign of anaemia or toxic exposure.

• Production of large volumes of dilute urine – Common with zinc toxicity.

• Excessive drinking – Polydipsia (increased thirst) can be an indicator of toxicity.

• Weakness, inability to stand, sitting/resting on hocks, limp/lame – Often observed as toxicity progresses.

• Sudden death – In extreme cases, the disease can progress quickly, leading to sudden collapse.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to take action. Hardware Disease is serious, and without intervention, it can be fatal.
 

Lead and Zinc Poisoning: A Silent Killer

Two of the most dangerous metals for chickens are lead and zinc. Even small amounts can cause poisoning over time, leading to severe health issues.

Lead Poisoning

Lead can be found in old paint, roofing materials, fishing weights, or even contaminated soil. Symptoms of lead poisoning in chickens include:

• Weakness and loss of coordination

• Tremors or seizures

• Green, watery droppings

• Weight loss and lethargy

• Difficulty breathing

• Sudden death in severe cases

Zinc Poisoning

Zinc toxicity often comes from galvanised metal, such as wire mesh, old coop fittings, or certain types of feed containers. Symptoms of zinc poisoning include:

• Increased thirst

• Weakness or paralysis

• Diarrhoea and digestive upset

• Difficulty breathing

• Poor feather quality and slow moulting

If you suspect lead or zinc poisoning, urgent veterinary care is required (preferably from a specialist Avian vet who has the required equipment to check for this). Blood tests can confirm metal toxicity, and treatment usually involves chelation therapy to remove the metals from the bloodstream.
 

Common Items That Can Cause Hardware Disease

Chickens are drawn to small, shiny, and sometimes dangerous objects. Some of the most common sources of lead and zinc include:

• Fasteners: Nuts, bolts, screws, nails, springs, washers

• Construction materials: Leftover building supplies, paint chips, solder

• Kids' toys: Old or broken toys containing metal parts

• Batteries: Small watch batteries, old car batteries, electrical components

• Fishing weights: Lead sinkers, hooks, and other fishing gear

• Galvanised zinc materials: Chicken wire, fencing materials, old feed containers (why it’s crucial to carefully dispose of cut wire bits when predator-proofing enclosures!)

• Cheap jewellery: Old rings, earrings, and trinkets

• Pipe fittings: Old plumbing parts, scrap metal from repairs

• Bottle caps: From glass and plastic bottles

• Broken glass: While not metal, sharp glass can cause serious digestive tract injuries
   

Case Study: Curiosity gone wrong

In January 2025, Bird Vet Melbourne shared that they had a loving owner bring in a commercial layer hen who was clearly unwell.

Thankfully, Dr. Phil is a very experienced Avian Specialist Vet and was able to confirm Hardware Disease after they completed an X-ray. She was thereafter nicknamed by the staff 'Bunnings' (not her real name).
 

 

Bunnings abdominal X-ray showed a plethora of metal that would make an airport detector beep like a frantic alarm clock. She needed to have surgery to remove the impressive collection screws, nails, staples, pins and broken glass that she had eaten and to repair her perforated intestine.
 

 

The surgery was successful and we have our fingers and toes crossed that her recovery goes well.
 

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Chooks Safe

Hardware disease is one of those sneaky dangers that many backyard chicken keepers don’t think about – until it’s too late. A little extra vigilance can make all the difference. So, next time you’re collecting eggs, watching your flock with a wine/coffee in hand, cleaning the coop or setting up a new foraging area, take a moment to check the ground for potential hazards. 

This is definitely one of those times where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
Your flock will thank you for it.