Common chicken diseases; causes, symptoms and treatment you should know

Chicken diseases are a common occurrence in poultry farming. These illnesses can be fatal if not treated immediately. Thankfully, most chicken diseases are preventable with careful biosecurity practices.

Chicken diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Viral diseases are the most common and are easy to prevent with injection vaccination. Bacterial infections are also common, but your poultry can be vaccinated against that as well. Parasitic diseases are rarer but treatable with medications. The main external parasites that are problematic for poultry are mites and lice. Mite parasites feed on the blood of chickens and can cause anaemia and possible death, while lice feed on dander and feathers. Also, infection is another common cause of chicken diseases. Most chicken diseases occur due to poor sanitation; this allows infections to spread rapidly.

These are some of the common poultry diseases and their treatment that farmers should know about to avoid the spread out of diseases and high mortality; and how to control them and also the symptoms of these diseases.

1. Lice and Mites

Symptoms:

· Lice and mites are seen on feathers.

· Feather itches bird.

· Dropping of feathers.

Causes:

Ecto-parasites.

Treatment:

Clean the poultry pen or change litters i.e. sawdust etc.

2. Gumboro Disease

Symptoms:

· Loss of appetite.

· Touching the ground with the beak.

· High temperature.

· Diarrhoea

Causes:

A virus.

Treatment:

Vaccinate with IBDV Gumboro vaccine when due; use antibiotic (oxytetracycline or tetracycline).

3. Fowl Cholera

Symptoms:

· Distress in respiratory i.e. respiration (breathing).

· High mortality rate.

· Lameness in respiratory.

· Sudden death.

Causes:

Bacteria.

Treatment:

Clean and disinfect the poultry pen; dispose dead birds.

4. Chronic Respiratory Disease - CRD

Symptoms:

· Low egg production in Layers.

· Weakness in limbs and joints.

· Coughing and sneezing.

· Reduction in weight.

Causes:

Bacteria.

Treatment:

Remove infected/affected birds; use keproflox, terramycin, and keproceryl.

5. Coccidiosis

Symptoms:

· Dark brownish/orange coloured faeces.

· Bloody eyes.

Causes:

Parasites.

Treatment:

General treatment; Coccidiostat i.e. embazin forte, Coxistat, Keproco, ESBX etc.

6. Marek’s Disease

Symptoms:

· Droopy wings.

· Blurry eye and later becomes

· Wings and legs paralysis.

· Poor posture.

Causes:

Alphaherpesvirus known as 'Marek's disease virus' (MDV) or Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2).

Treatment:

Vaccination at day 1 after hatchery and proper hygiene; no proven treatment to treat Marek’s disease. It is best to prevent.

Chicken diseases are easily preventable with good hygiene practices and vaccinations. Follow these steps to keep your poultry healthy!

First, sanitize your coop and equipment after each use with soap and water or a disinfectant wipe. Next, keep your chickens healthy by providing fresh food and clean water for them daily along with a clean environment free of infected birds and faeces. Lastly, always treat sick chickens immediately and after touching them, wash your hands so they don't spread the disease back onto the rest of your flock. Your birds will thank you for it!

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