What are Common Health Problems for Chickens

Below we have 5 Diseases that chickens get and the details about them

If your chicken is sick, I hope by reading this article it will better help you to determine what might be happening to your chicken and how to treat it.

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Fowl cholera

What is Fowl cholera? Fowl Cholera is a contagious, bacterial disease that affects domestic and wild birds worldwide. It usually occurs as a septicemia of sudden onset with high morbidity and mortality, but chronic and asymptomatic infections also occur.
What causes fowl cholera? Fowl cholera is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. Chronically infected birds are considered to be a major source of infection and recovered birds remain carriers. Transmission is from bird to bird or from infected premises.
What are the signs/symtoms?

Dejection.
Ruffled feathers.
Loss of appetite.
Diarrhoea.
Coughing.
Nasal, ocular and oral discharge.
Swollen and cyanotic wattles and face.
Sudden death.
Swollen joints.
Lameness.

Prevention and treatment of fowl cholera – Fowl cholera can be treated with sulfonamides and antibiotics. Vaccines are available but give variable results. A live attenuated vaccine has been developed in Australia by Poultry CRC partners Bioproperties Pty Ltd, under the trade name Vaxsafe ® PM. A live vaccine will give more widespread protection than the individual inactivated types. The disease is best controlled by eradication. Prevention relies on good biosecurity practices, with good sanitation and rodent control and separation of birds by age with thorough cleanout between flocks. This bacterium is susceptible to ordinary disinfectants, sunlight, drying, and heat.

Coccidiosis

What is Coccidiosis? Coccidiosi is a common, and sometimes deadly, intestinal disease caused by a parasitic organism that attaches itself to a chicken’s intestinal lining. This parasitic invasion damages the intestinal tract, preventing the host chicken from absorbing nutrients vital to their survival

What causes Coccidiosis? Coccidiosis is caused by a microscopic parasite called coccidia that is transmitted via the droppings from infected birds. In other words, anywhere there’s a microscopic trace of bird poop—in a waterer, a feeder, or in bedding—there’s almost certainly coccidia present.Symptoms of coccidiosis include weight loss, paleness, ruffled feathers, depression, huddling, unwillingness to eat, and watery or bloody diarrhea. All birds are at risk, but growing birds and young adults ages 3 to 5 weeks old seem most susceptible. The good news is that birds in relatively good health with strong immune systems are equipped to ward off coccidiosis, as long as they do not become stressed or overexposed to unsanitary conditions. A mild case may even pass unnoticed. Once a flock survives an outbreak, it will be immune to that particular coccidia organism (there are nine different species that can infect chickens, however, so the disease can rear its ugly ahead in a new form). The other good news is that each species of coccidia is ‘host-specific’. That means the type of coccidia that could infect your turkeys is not the same type that could infect your chickens (or geese or quail, etc.). So coccidiosis cannot spread from a chicken to a goose—but it can spread like wildfire from chicken to chicken. When coccidiosis is allowed to proliferate unchecked, it invades the lining of the intestines causing tissue damage and interfering with nutrient absorption. It can be devastating to a flock

Symptoms – Coccidiosis develops quickly, with an incubation period of 4 to 8 days. Symptoms may develop gradually or appear suddenly. It is not uncommon for a chicken to seem fine one day and become very sick or even die the next. The most common symptom of the disease is blood or mucus in chicken droppings. However, reddish chicken droppings aren’t always an indicator of coccidiosis. Chicken droppings may also appear brownish red in color due to the normal shedding of cecal cells. The only way to know if the droppings indicate an infected bird is to have the droppings tested by a veterinarian.

Other symptoms of coccidiosis can include:

Diarrhea
Weakness and listlessness
Pale comb or skin
Blood located at the vent site of the bird
Decreased food or water consumption
Ruffled feathers
Weight loss (in older chickens)
Decreased growth rate (in young chickens)
Failing to lay eggs or laying eggs inconsistently

Not all chickens will display the same symptoms and all of these symptoms might not be present in affected chickens. If you suspect coccidiosis infection, have the chicken droppings tested by a veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm your findings and begin treatment.
Treatment: Treatment will work quickly if started at the first signs of an infection. There are several medications to choose from, but the most common drug in treating poultry in backyard settings is amprolium — sold under the brand name Corid. It can be mixed in the water and is used for 3-5 days for successful treatment. Corid comes in liquid or powder form. Either way, it should be mixed with the chickens’ drinking water to work into their system effectively. It’s impossible to keep your chickens from coming into contact with some form of coccidian parasite, but keeping the chickens’ water and food clean, as well as making sure bedding in your coop is fresh, will greatly cut down on their exposure and allow them naturally to build up their immunity to this common disease.

Avian Influenza

What is Avian Influenza? Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection which can affect all species of birds. In intensive poultry rearing systems young fattening turkeys and laying hens are usually the most affected species. Free-living birds may carry influenza viruses without becoming ill due to a natural resistance.

What is the cause? The virus causing avian influenza is an Influenzavirus A virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Several virus subtypes exist, which are divided on the bases of the antigenic relationships in the virus glycoproteins haemoagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). At present 15 H subtypes have been recognised (H1-H15) and nine neuraminidase subtypes (N1- N9). Influenza A viruses infecting poultry can also be divided on the basis of their pathogenicity (ability to cause disease). The very virulent viruses cause highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) with mortality in poultry as high as 100%. In the whole world there have been only 19 reported primary isolates of such viruses from domestic poultry since 1959. A severe epidemic occurred in Italy in 1999/2000 causing 413 outbreaks with 16 Million birds affected. Other AI viruses cause a much milder disease (low pathogenic avian influenza, LPAI). Clinical signs are much less evident or even absent and mortality is much lower. Sometimes secondary infections or environmental conditions may cause exacerbation of LPAI infections leading to more serious disease. Evidence suggests that certain avian influenza virus subtypes of low pathogenicity may, after circulation for some time in a poultry population, mutate into highly pathogenic virus strains. To date only viruses of H5 and H7 subtype have been shown to cause HPAI in susceptible species, but not all H5 and H7 viruses are highly pathogenic.

Symptoms – The main symptoms of HPAI in poultry are depression, loss of appetite, cessation of egg laying, nervous signs, swelling and blue discoloration of combs and wattles due to disturbance of blood circulation, coughing, sneezing and diarrhoea. Sudden death can occur without any previous signs. The mortality rate may reach up to 100% depending on the species, their age, the virus type involved and environmental factors like concurrent bacterial infections. Clinical signs of LPAI consist primarily of mild respiratory disease, depression and drop in egg production in laying birds. The incubation periods for these viruses range from as short as a few hours to 3 days in individual birds and up to 14 days to spread throughout a flock.

Preventive Measures – Practice of exclusion biosecurity strategies to prevent introduction of AI into poultry is the best preventive measure. Suspected outbreaks should be reported to appropriate regulatory authorities. Antigenically matched and properly administered vaccines can prevent clinical signs and death and greatly reduce virus replication and shedding from the respiratory and GI tracts. Specific protection is achieved through autogenous virus vaccines or from vaccines prepared from AI virus of the same hemagglutinin subtype. Antibodies to the homologous viral neuraminidase antigens may provide partial protection. Currently, only inactivated whole AI virus, DNA of H5 hemagglutinin, RNA particle (defective eastern equine encephalitis virus) with H5 hemagglutinin insert, recombinant fowlpox-AI-H5 and recombinant herpesvirus-turkey-AI-H5 (rHVT-AI-H5) vaccines are licensed in the USA. The use of any licensed AI vaccine for H1-4, H6, and H8-16 hemagglutinin subtypes requires approval of the state veterinarian. In addition, use of H5 and H7 AI vaccines in the USA requires declaration of an emergency and approval by the Secretary of the USDA. Supportive Care – Treating LPAI-affected flocks with broad-spectrum antibiotics to control secondary pathogens and increasing house temperatures may reduce morbidity and mortality. Treatment with antiviral compounds is not approved or recommended.

What is fowl pox in chickens

What is Fowl Pox? Fowl Pox is a relatively slow-spreading viral infection that affects most bird species, including all commercial forms of poultry. It occurs in both a wet and dry form. The wet form is characterised by plaques in the mouth and upper respiratory tract. The dry form is characterised by wart-like skin lesions that progress to thick scabs. The disease may occur in any age of bird, at any time. Mortality is usually not significant unless the respiratory involvement is severe. Fowl pox can cause depression, reduced appetite and poor growth or egg production. The course of the disease in the individual bird takes three to five weeks.

What causes Fowl Pox? Fowl pox is caused by an avian DNA pox virus. There are five or six closely related viruses that primarily affect different species of birds but there is some cross-infection. Infection occurs through skin abrasions or bites, through the respiratory route and possibly through ingestion of infective scabs. It can be transmitted by birds, mosquitoes or fomites (inanimate objects such as equipment). The virus is highly resistant in dried scabs and under certain conditions may survive for months. Mosquitoes can harbour infective virus for a month or more after feeding on affected birds and can subsequently infect other birds. Recovered birds do not remain carriers. A flock may be affected for several months as fowl pox spreads slowly.

What are the signs or symptoms ? The virus is present in dried scabs, feathers, and skin dander and can infect birds by entering through cuts and skin abrasions. Signs of the disease include: Scabs or wart-like lesions on the comb, wattles, eyelids, face, and feet. Eyelid swelling and eyes sealed shut or scabbed over.

Prevention and treatment of fowl pox – There is no treatment for fowl pox and prevention is through vaccination of replacement birds. Where preventative vaccination is used, all replacement chickens are vaccinated when the birds are six to ten weeks of age and one application of fowl pox vaccine results in permanent immunity. Vaccination of broilers is not usually required unless the mosquito population is high or infections have occurred previously. Chicks may be vaccinated as young as one day of age. During outbreaks, unaffected flocks and individuals may be vaccinated to help limit the spread. If there is evidence of secondary bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics may help reduce morbidity and mortalities. As mosquitoes are known reservoirs, mosquito control procedures may be of some benefit in limiting spread in poultry confined in houses.

Newcastle disease

What is Newcastle disease? It Is An Infection Of Domestic Poultry And Other Bird Species With Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). It Is A Worldwide Problem That Presents Primarily As An Acute Respiratory Disease, But Depression, Nervous Manifestations, Or Diarrhea May Be The Predominant Clinical Form. everity depends on the virulence of the infecting virus and host susceptibility. Occurrence of the disease is reportable and may result in trade restrictions.

What causes Newcastle disease? is caused by a paramyxovirus that can vary in pathogenicity from mild to highly pathogenic. Spread is usually by direct physical contact with infected or diseased birds. The virus is present in manure and is breathed out into the air. Other sources of infection are contaminated equipment, carcasses, water, food and clothing. People can easily carry the virus from one shed or farm to another. Newcastle Disease virus does not affect humans in the same way that it does birds but it can cause conjunctivitis in humans.

What are the Signs and Symptoms? It can be sudden death, clinical signs of the disease include sneezing; gasping for air; nasal discharge; coughing; greenish, watery diarrhea; decreased activity; tremors; drooping wings; twisting of the head and neck; circling; complete stiffness; and swelling around the eyes and neck, the release states

Prevention and treatment of Newcastle Disease – There is no treatment for Newcastle Disease, although treatment with antibiotics to control secondary infections may assist. The virus can remain alive in manure for up to 2 months and in dead carcasses for up to 12 months, however it is easily killed by disinfectants, fumigants and direct sunlight. Prevention relies on good quarantine and biosecurity procedures and vaccination. Newcastle Disease vaccination of commercial meat and egg layer chickens has been made compulsory in many Australian States. For information on compulsory Newcastle Disease vaccination in your State contact your State department of primary industries or agriculture. Further information on the national situation in regard to Newcastle Disease can be found at The Animal Health Australia website.

Salmonellosis

What is Salmonellosis? Salmonellosis is the name of a collection of diseases caused by infection with the salmonella bacteria. Depending on type of salmonella they are infected with, illness will manifest as: Arizonosis: Arizonosis is a septicemic disease of young turkeys, sometimes chicks, caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae (S. arizonae). The disease presents in both acute or chronic form and is characterized by septicemia, neurological signs and blindness. Pullorum disease (PD): Pullorum disease, also referred to commonly as Bacillary White Diarrhea, is an acute systemic disease of young chicks, caused by infection with S. Pullorum. It is mainly a problem for newly hatched chicks, which begin to show clinical signs of infection within a couple weeks upon hatching. Chicks may be seen huddling under heat sources, making continuous faint chirping and peeping noises. These chicks will also develop white chalky droppings that cause them to develop white pasted vents (known commonly as ‘pasty butt’). Fowl typhoid (FT): Fowl typhoid is an acute or chronic septicemic disease that usually is most significant in growing and adult chickens and turkeys. It is caused by infection with S. Gallinarum. Clinical signs differ depending on the severity of the infection. Infected chickens often will die 5-10 days following when they first develop clinical signs. Paratyphoid (PT) Infection: Paratyphoid (PT) Infection is a common disease of chickens, usually more significant to younger chicks than for adults. It is caused by several different strains of Salmonella spp. The most common being S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis.

What causes Salmonellosis?Salmonella spp are both horizontally and vertically transmitted. They are spread through transovarian transmission from hens to to their offspring, contamination of the environment (soil, bedding, perches, nesting boxes, eggs, waterers, drinkers, etc.), mechanically through flying and biting insects, rodents, wild birds, introduction of new flock members, equipment, vehicle tire tread, clothing, unwashed hands, etc. Many animals, especially poultry and pigs, may be infected with Salmonella but show no signs of clinical illness. They are a significant source of spreading the disease among other flock members and potentially other animals and humans. This is because infected sub clinical carriers may shed the bacteria in large numbers within their feces, either continuously or intermittently, contaminating the environment.

What are the Signs and Symptoms? Infections with Salmonella pullorum usually cause very high mortality in young chickens and turkeys within the first 2 – 3 weeks of age. In adult chickens, mortality may be high but frequently there are no clinical signs. The route of infection is oral (via feed or litter) or via the navel/yolk. Also transmission via the egg appears. Clinical findings and lesions: Birds may die in the hatchery shortly after hatching. Affected birds huddle near a heat source, are anorectic, appear weak and have whitish diarrhoea around the vent. Survivors are small in size and frequently become carriers with localized infection of the ovary. These birds can continue to infect other birds. In mature chickens, chronic infections produce lesions indistinguishable from those of fowl typhoid.