Important Poultry Diseases that You Need to Know

Diseases are often characterized according to their biology, such as: *. Virus, Bacteria, Parasites, Fungi, and their causes, e.g. nutritional disorders. However, in the following the most important diseases in poultry are divided into three categories according to their severity and importance in village-based small-scale production systems. Distinct features, such as their characteristics during outbreaks (symptoms), and possible treatments (prevention or control), as well as the time of occurrence, will be presented. *. The importance of a disease is judged by mortality rates and effect on production, and will vary greatly from area to area and from season to season. Combination of diseases Some less important diseases mayinteract with other diseases to create a more severe effect on thebirds. This is the case for: E. coli infections, nutritional deficiencies and internal parasites. Such diseases rarely kill the individual bird, but have a remarkable effect on the immune system of the birds, thus creating the basis for easy infection by other diseases. *. (▼▼▼) = High importance, is a common disease w/ high mortality (+30% of the flock), highly contagious & difficult to treat. *. (▼▼) = Medium importance common, medium mortality (10-30%) of the flock and/or difficult treatment. *. (▼) = Less importance signifies not common, lower mortality and/or easy treatment. 1. Newcastle Disease: (▼▼▼) Description:The disease is very common during dry seasons, and is often seen in young chicks, but also in adults. Effect: High flock mortality, often between 30% and 80% of the birds die when the disease hits . Symptoms: The chickens lose appetite and have poor digestion.They might show heavy breathing, greenish droppings, and sometimes bloody diarrhea. They may show nervous symptoms, paralysis and die suddenly, and the symptoms may occur all at the same time . Prevention/Treatment: *. The disease is a virus, so there is no treatment, but it may be prevented through vaccinationof all birds including chicks from two weeks of age. 1. Avian Influenza (AI): (▼▼▼) Description: The disease is found naturally in ducks and other waterfowl, and may spread as a highly contagious and potentially dangerous form to chickens Effect: High flock mortality Symptoms: blue and swollen comb and wattles. It infects through contaminated feed and drinking water from ponds. Prevention/Treatment: The disease is a virus, so there isno treatment. Best prevention isstrict hygiene and slaughter of sick birds. AI can presently NOT be prevented through vaccination of birds. *. Culling and burning of all birds in the flock and strict cleaning ofchicken houses must be considered after a disease outbreak. Always call a veterinarian, if you suspect an AIoutbreak. Do not eat infected birds. 1. Fowl pox: (▼▼▼) Description: It is often seen in young chicks, but also in adults. The disease is common during dry seasons, but may be found all year around Effect: Flock may decrease by 30-50%, w/ high infection rates Symptoms: Shows as pocks (small lumps) on wattles, comb and face. High body temperature, tirednessfollowed by sudden death . Prevention/Treatment: *. The disease is a virus, so there is no treatment, BUT a Vaccine is available and highly effective. 1. E. coli infection: (▼) Description: It is common among newly hatched chicks, causing infection in the stomach region. Effect: S top of egg production, immune system weakening. Symptoms: I n older birds - Respiratory distress or infection in the egg organ with stop of eggproduction. Prevention/Treatment: *. The best prevention is improved hygiene of eggs for hatching and of the nests. Treatment of sick chicks might be possible with antibiotics. 1. Fowl cholera (pasteurellosis): (▼▼▼) Description: It can occur any time in all ages. Effect: Infection is through contaminated feed and drinking water. May occur as a chronic disease or hit as sudden death. Symptoms: severe diarrhoea, respiratory symptoms, loss of appetite, blue combs and wattles. Prevention/Treatment: *. There is no treatment. Best prevention is strict hygiene and vaccination. Kill and burn affected birds. Vaccine is usually available. 1. Pullorum disease (Bacillary white diarrhoea): (▼▼) Description: It is common in young chicks Effect: Disease is transmitted to chicks from the eggs of infected hens, which may not show signs of being ill. Symptoms: Chicks walk with difficulty, show big bellies and drag their wings. Their faeces are liquid and turn white. Prevention/Treatment: *. There is no treatment. Prevention is strict hygiene. If illness occurs, isolate or kill and burn the birds. 1. Fowl typhoid: (▼▼) Description:It is common in older birds. Effect: Can be deadly, do not buy chicks from unknown sources, and do not use eggs for hatching from hens that have been ill. Symptoms: high body temperature, tiredness, blue comb, sudden death.