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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