Common Poultry Diseases and Their Prevention
Common Poultry Diseases and
Their Prevention
Dr. Nathaniel L. Tablante
Associate Professor and Extension Poultry Veterinarian
VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Maryland College Park
- How diseases occur: basic principles
- Observing your birds for signs of disease
- What to do when disease is suspected
- When to start treatment or intervention
- Common poultry diseases
- Final thoughtsWhat is disease?
- Any condition that results in deviation from
normal functionHow do diseases occur?
Agent
Host Environment
Diseases occur due to the interaction between 3 main factors:
NOTE: Not all poultry health and production problems are caused by infectious agents.
LOOK AT MANAGEMENT FACTORS FIRST BEFORE CONSIDERING INFECTIOUS DISEASEAgent Factors
- Infectious Agents
– Bacteria
– Viruses
– Parasites
– Fungi
- Non-infectious
agents
– Chemical
– Physical
– Lack or excess of
certain vitamins and
minerals
– Toxins
http://health.utah.govHost Factors
- Breed
- Age
- Sex
- Immune statusManagement and Environmental
Factors
- Feed quality
- Lighting program
- Air quality and ventilation
- Water quality
- Space (floor or cage,
feeder, drinker)
- Sanitation
- Vaccination and
medication programs
- Weather
- Season
- Geographic locationGeneral Signs of Disease
- Poor appetite
- Huddling
- Depression
- Runting/stunting; poor
uniformity
- Ruffled feathers
- Coughing, sneezing,
oculo-nasal discharge,
difficult breathing
- Bloody or wet litter
- Increased mortality Specific Signs of Disease
- Respiratory
(gasping, coughing, snicking,
swollen eyes, nasal
discharge)
- Possible
Diseases/Conditions:
– Avian Influenza
– Newcastle Disease
– Infectious
Laryngotracheitis
– Infectious Bronchitis
– Mycoplasmosis
– Colibacillosis
– Fowl Cholera
– AmmoniaSpecific Signs of Disease
- Nervous
(trembling, paralysis,
recumbency, circling)
- Possible
Diseases/Conditions:
– Marek’s Disease
– Newcastle Disease
– Fowl Cholera
– Encephalomyelitis
– Encephalomalacia (Vit.
E/selenium deficiency)
– Aspergillosis
– Botulism
– Bacterial encephalitisSpecific Signs of Disease
- Locomotor
(crooked toes, swollen hocks,
hyper-extended or rubbery
legs)
- Possible
Diseases/Conditions:
– Rickets (Ca/P/Vit. D3
deficiency or imbalance)
– Riboflavin deficiency
– Biotin deficiency
– Synovitis
– InjurySpecific Signs of Disease
- External Signs
(skin/eye/leg/foot lesions)
- Possible
Disease/Conditions:
– Lice
– Mites
– Biotin deficiency
– Pantothenic acid deficiency
– Riboflavin deficiency
– Gangrenous dermatitis
(Clostridium sp; Staph.
aureus)Specific Signs of Disease
- Digestive
(bloody or watery feces)
- Possible
Disease/Conditions:
– Coccidiosis
– Necrotic enteritis
– Coronaviral enteritis
– Infectious Bursal Disease
– Ulcerative enteritis
– Paratyphoid (Salmonella
spp.)
– Worms
– Salt poisoningOther Signs of Disease or Health Problems
- Stress
(overcrowding, vaccination reaction, extreme temperatures, lack
of feed or water)What to do if your birds look sick:
- Isolate sick bird(s) immediately
- Dispose of dead birds promptly
and properly
- Observe the rest of the flock for
signs of disease
- Call veterinarian, animal health
technician, or Extension agent
for advice and assistance
- Do not move birds or eggs off
your farm
- Do not add new birds to flock
- Do not visit other farmsNot all poultry health problems are caused by infectious agents
Always consider non-infectious
conditions (management
factors or FLAWSS) first:
- Feed quality
- Lighting
- Air quality and ventilation
- Water quality
- Space (feeders and drinkers)
- SanitationUse medications judiciously and only when necessary
- Management problems can
only be fixed by proper
management changes and/or
corrections
- Viral infections cannot be
treated with antibiotics
- Bacterial infections can only
be treated with the proper
antibiotic
- Always consult a veterinarian
before initiating any treatment
- If antibiotics or other drugs
are prescribed, follow
recommended dose, route,
duration of therapy, and
withdrawal timeCOMMON POULTRY DISEASESInfectious LaryngotracheitisSpecies Affected
- Chickens, pheasants, peafowl
fishandgame.idaho.gov
scienceblogs.com
nathistoc.bio.uci.eduCause
- Herpes virus
- Spread through infected birds and improperly
administered live vaccines
– Airborne transmission or through contaminated
equipment, shoes, and clothingSigns and Lesions
- Respiratory distress,
coughing, sneezing,
expectoration of
bloody mucus
- Conjunctivitis and
facial swellingPrevention and Control
- Vaccination
– Do not vaccinate if the disease is not present or has not
been observed in your area
– If vaccination is deemed necessary, MDA allows only
Tissue Culture Origin (TCO) ILT vaccine in non-commercial
poultry
- Biosecurity
– Do not allow visitors to your farm nor visit other farms
– Do not share equipment and vehicles
– Clean and disinfect poultry house, coops, and equipment
regularly and between flocksMycoplasmosis
(Chronic Respiratory Disease)Species Affected
- Chickens and turkeys
nrm.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.orgCause
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum
– Secondary E. coli infection is common
- Transmitted through the egg, airborne
droplets, or from bird to birdSigns and Lesions
- Coughing, sneezing,
facial swelling, nasal
discharge, cloudy air
sacs
- Deformed eggs, drop in
egg production
- Pericarditis and
perihepatitis (with
secondary E. coli
infection)Prevention and Control
- Purchase chicks only from MG-negative
sources (National Poultry Improvement Plan
or NPIP participant)
- Provide medicated feed (containing Tylan® or
Gallimycin®)
- Don’t mix birds of different species and ageInternal Parasites
www.backyardchickens.comSpecies Affected
- All birdsCause
- Roundworms (Ascarids)
- Hairworms (Capillaria)
- Cecal worms (Heterakis)
- Tapeworms (Cestodes)Signs and Lesions
- Unthriftiness, stunted
growth, emaciation
- Enteritis
- Anemia
- Decreased egg
productionPrevention and Control
- Rotate birds in yards or pens
- Deworm flocks regularly, particularly those raised on the
ground or in floor pens
- Provide medicated feed (containing broad-spectrum
dewormer)
- Treat infected birds with the proper dewormer
– Piperazine (Wazine™) is effective only against roundworms and
cecal worms
– Fenbendazole (SafeGuard™ or Panacur™) is effective against
roundworms, cecal worms, and hairwormsCoccidiosisSpecies Affected
- Chickens and turkeys
tinyfarmblog.comCause
- Eimeria sp.
- 9 species in chickens
- 7 species in turkeys
- Transmitted through infected droppings
(containing oocysts)Clinical Signs and Lesions
- Cecal coccidiosis
(caused mainly by E.
tenella in chickens)
– High mortality
– Bloody feces
– Pale combs
– Ruffled feathers
– Lack of appetite
– Coagulated blood in
cecaClinical Signs and Lesions
- Intestinal coccidiosis
(caused by E. acervulina, E.
brunetti, E. maxima, and E.
necatrix)
– Loss of weight
– Shriveled combs
– Drop in egg production
– Pale shanksPrevention and Control
- Good management
- Provide medicated feed (with coccidiostats
such as amprolium or Amprol™)
- Treat infected flocks promptlyExternal Parasites
www.tillysnest.comMites
keep-hens-raise-chickens.comSpecies Affected
- All birdsCause
- Scaly leg mite (Knemidocoptes mutans)
- Chicken mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)
- Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum)
www.ca.uky.edu
www.chickenvet.co.ukSigns and Lesions
- Scaly leg mite:
– scales and crusts in
legs, combs, and
wattles
- Northern fowl mite:
– blackened feathers,
scabby skin around
ventPrevention and Control
- Scaly leg mite
– Cull or isolate affected birds
– Apply an oil-based product such as petroleum jelly, a 50:50
kerosene and cooking oil mix, or Blue Ribbon™ (a commercial
mixture of plant oils, canola, and camphor) to affected areas
- Northern fowl mite
– Monitor all birds and facilities for infestation; check egg flats and
cases for mites
– Treat birds with approved insecticide (such as carbaryl or Sevin™)
– Use dry powder to dust birds
– Use liquid spray or wettable powder for walls and floors to penetrate cracks
and crevices
– Wash plastic flats and racks with hot water and detergent
-Always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
-Observe all warnings and withdrawal periods.Bumblefoot
(Pododermatitis)
www.backyardchickens.comSpecies Affected
- Chickens (mostly males and heavy birds)
www.flickr.comCause
- Injury to the lower
surface of the foot and
subsequent infection with
Staphylococcus bacteria
- Common causes of injury:
- Rough perches
- Splinters
- Wire floors
- Poor litter or bedding
quality www.avianweb.comSigns and Lesions
- Lameness
- Swelling of the foot
pad
- Hard, pus-filled
abscess on foot pad
keep-hens-raise-chickens.comPrevention and Control
- Provide good quality litter or bedding. Keep
bedding clean, dry, and deep.
- Keep perches less than 18 inches from the
floor to prevent foot damage due to impact
from jumping.
- Remove potential sources of injury such as
sharp objects and/or surfaces.Treatment
- Soak foot in warm water and Epsom salts.
- Clean affected area with soap and warm water, then
disinfect with alcohol.
- If skin is open, drain pus from abscess (If there is no break
in the skin to allow drainage of abscess, use a sterile scalpel
or sharp end of a disinfected blade to cut a small opening).
- Flush the abscess cavity with hydrogen peroxide to clean
out pus and debris.
- Pack the cavity with antibiotic ointment and wrap the foot
with gauze and elastic bandage. Repeat daily until foot
heals.FINAL THOUGHTS
- Be vigilant – continuous flock health monitoring is a
MUST
- Use all available senses (sight, touch, smell,
hearing) as well as COMMON SENSE
- Look for all possible causes and/or predisposing
factors, i.e. do not “leave any stoned unturned”
- Initiate corrective or preventive measures promptly
- When in doubt, seek expert advice
- While practicing strict biosecurity, provide adequate
feed, water, ventilation, heat, etc. (a.k.a. bird comfort
or TLC)Questions?
