Infectious Laryngotracheitis is an important health concern for chicken keepers. Understanding its signs, causes, and management strategies is essential for maintaining a healthy flock.
What it looks like
Birds with this condition may display one or more of the following signs:
Severe coughing and blood-tinged mucus (Throat and trachea): Bird coughs violently and may cough up blood or blood-stained discharge—sometimes dramatic strings of bloody mucus
Difficulty breathing (respiratory distress) (Airways): Bird gasps, wheezes, or stretches neck to breathe; breathing is labored and sometimes audible
Conjunctivitis and eye discharge (Eyes): Eyes are swollen, red, and may discharge mucus or pus; bird may have difficulty seeing
Reduced egg production (in laying birds) (Reproductive system): Hens stop laying or produce soft-shell or shell-less eggs during acute infection
Lethargy and appetite loss (General behavior): Bird appears sick, sits quietly, eats and drinks very little
Death (in severe cases, especially young birds) (Whole body): Airway obstruction from mucus buildup can be fatal, particularly in young birds or those under stress
Likely causes
This condition can arise from multiple sources:
- Infection with Gallid alphaherpesvirus 1 (GAHv-1), a virus in the herpesvirus family
- Transmission via respiratory droplets and direct contact
- Severe stress (temperature swings, transport, poor nutrition) triggers disease in carrier birds
- Can remain latent in recovered birds and reactivate under stress
- Crowding and poor ventilation increase spread
What to do
No specific antiviral cure exists; treatment is supportive. Provide clean water, soft easy-to-digest food, and a quiet environment with good ventilation to ease breathing. Some affected birds improve on their own; others deteriorate rapidly. Do not use antibiotics unless a secondary bacterial infection is present (that is the vet’s decision). Severely affected birds may need euthanasia if they cannot breathe. Quarantine all affected birds away from the rest of the flock.
Monitor affected birds closely for improvement or worsening signs. Provide supportive care including clean water, nutritious feed, and comfortable housing. Isolate severely affected birds to prevent stress-induced spread to other flock members.
When to see a vet
See a vet if multiple birds are affected, if signs are severe, or if the bird doesn’t improve within a few days of treatment. Early intervention can prevent spread through your flock.
Prevention
Minimize stress: maintain stable temperature, avoid transport stress, and provide good nutrition. Improve coop ventilation—stale air and ammonia buildup trigger ILT in carrier flocks. Avoid introducing birds from unknown sources. Quarantine new birds strictly for 3–4 weeks. If you have a known ILT outbreak, do not move birds between flocks. Recovered birds remain carriers for life; keep them away from naive birds when possible.
Provide fresh water daily, ensure adequate nutrition, and minimize stress through consistent handling and stable environmental conditions. Regular coop cleaning and disinfection reduce disease-carrying organisms in the environment.
Frequently asked questions
Is infectious laryngotracheitis reportable?
Yes, ILT is reportable in many US states and many countries. Contact your state or local veterinarian immediately if you suspect it. Reporting helps authorities monitor disease spread and support affected producers.
Can birds survive infectious laryngotracheitis?
Yes, many birds survive with supportive care, but mortality varies based on virus strain and bird age. Young birds and those under stress are at higher risk of death from airway obstruction. Survivors become lifelong carriers.
Why does ILT show up suddenly in a previously healthy flock?
ILT can remain dormant (latent) in recovered birds for years. Stress—such as extreme temperature changes, feed shortage, or other illness—triggers reactivation and shedding. Once active, it spreads rapidly through the flock.