Are you dealing with poultry diseases ? These are information on some of the most common chicken diseases that can help you to diagnose your backyard chickens and figure out what you can do to keep them alive, healthy, and laying . These are common Chicken Diseases That You Should Know
1. Avian Influenza Is commonly known as “bird flu,” Avian Influenza has become alarming to humans because of the infectious rate at which it can spread and kill off a flock – not to mention the possible transfer to humans as well. Causes Anything from an improperly disposed-of carcass to infected rodents, equipment, and even people can all spread the disease.
Symptoms Milder forms of Avian Flu can lead to tiredness, diarrhea, breathing issues, a decline in eating, and decreased egg production. For severe cases, dark red and white spots can develop on the legs and combs.
Treatment There is no effective treatment available at this time. You can read more about the Avian Flu here.
2. Botulism This is another worldwide sickness familiar to our collective ear: Botulism. Causes Botulism bacteria can come from pond scum, maggots, plant waste, and the classic – rotting meat.
Symptoms
Tremors and paralysis are common. You may find birds unable to stand or lift its head (1). Sometimes birds may just be found dead, with no evidence of struggling. There is no diarrhea or nasal discharge and no signs of injury. Eventually, the paralysis can extend to breathing, at which point you can lose the animal.
Treatment
The poultry vet will administer antitoxins.
3. Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot is a chicken’s version of a staph infection in their leg (hence the “foot” part…) Causes This bacteria, which comes from the soil, can appear especially after a heavy rain disrupts any stagnant water in the chicken’s environment.
Symptoms
A bird with Bumblefoot has some pretty gnarly-looking legs – pink, callused and covered in sores. If left untreated, the whole foot turns dark blue or even black.
Treatment
Antibiotics are effective. Dietary change and even surgery are options as well. Here is a good source for more information on Bumblefoot in chickens.
4. Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is a chicken disease that invades the bird’s intestinal tract. Causes The parasite is ingested from the chicken’s environment in its egg form and then reproduces, at which point more eggs leave through the chicken’s feces.
Symptoms
Look out for diarrhea with blood and mucus and losing weight. Ruffled feathers and listless activity are also
symptoms. Treatment Get an anticoccidial agent like amprolium or toltrazuril. A gentler alternative is using an essential oil like thyme, tea tree, or clove.
5. Fowl Pox.
Fowl Pox spreads from direct contact between chickens and can spread through scabs that have fallen off, skin that has been scraped, breathing, and even through a bird’s eyes.
Symptoms
There are two kinds of Fowl Pox – dry form and wet form. Symptoms of a dry form include warty, raised spots on featherless areas while wet form comes with actual pox in the mouth and throat. Treatment There is no known treatment available, but it spreads slowly, you should conduct preventative measures.
6. Infectious
Bronchitis This incredibly contagious viral disease plagues chickens in particular, rather than birds in general. Causes The virus can spread through many transmissions, including feed bags, dead birds, infected coops, and those good-for-nothing rodents. But most commonly, it can spread via the air.
Symptoms
Chickens with Infectious Bronchitis will eat and drink less and develop a watery discharge from their eyes and nostrils. They will begin to have heavy and labored breathing and lay fewer eggs.
Treatment
There is little to do once your chickens already have the virus besides taking good, rehabilitative care of them. Regular cleaning of your coop and vaccination can help manage and prevent this infectious chicken disease from spreading. Vaccines are available to prevent contracting the disease, but it must be given early on in life (within the first 15 weeks) as eventually, it will stop the hen from laying eggs.
7. Infectious Coryza
Infectious Coryza is a bacteria-driven respiratory infection. Causes This disease transmits merely when two birds make contact, although airborne transmission is another possibility. Chickens who have recovered can carry the disease as well, so be careful when introducing a new chicken into your flock.
Symptoms
Coryza usually involves facial swelling accompanied by a thick, sticky discharge thick, sticky discharge. An infected bird also smells bad.
Treatment
Antibiotics and antibacterials are both options.
8.Marek’s
Disease This tumor-driven virus affects the nervous system. Causes It transmits through the air via chicken dander/dust and can lie dormant in a seemingly healthy host for as long as a year. It does not spread directly from parent to egg
Symptoms
Lameness, paralysis, drooping wings, weight loss, enlarged feather follicles, paleness, loss of appetite, blindness, and reddened, bloody-looking shanks (lower legs) can all be symptoms that something is going on.
Treatment
You can only vaccinate against Marek’s Disease before tumors develop. But even vaccinated chickens can still be carriers.
9. Mushy Chick
Officially known as Omphalitis, “Mushy Chick” infects new chicks shortly after hatching. Causes The navel can become infected if it comes in contact with a dirty environment, such as soiled eggs, unclean hatching boxes, etc.
Symptoms
External navel infection, including abnormally large, unused yolk sacs, and a very bad smelling peritonitis (a swelling infection of the abdomen).
Treatment
Some sources claim that antibiotics can give the chick a chance at recovery – although this is a long shot. Prevention can be easily attained by keeping your hatchery clean – one of the many rules of raising healthy chicks and creating a good environment for them.
10. Newcastle Disease
This viral infection attacks the nervous system and can vary in its intensity. Causes This disease can spread short distances through the air, but it is more likely to be transmitted through contaminated “outsiders.”
Symptoms
Wheezing, running nostrils, heavy breathing, swelling in the face, paralysis, trembling, and twisting of the neck, like this:
Treatment
There no treatment at this point.
11.Scaly Leg
This one is a basic infection with a simple (and gross) cause: mites. Causes Mites burrow down into the chicken’s skin, causing particularly bad damage to their legs and feet.
Symptoms
Roughness and unevenness, and straight-up deterioration of the skin’s legs and feet are obvious signs of Scaly Leg.
Treatment
Use topical ointments like vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and even petroleum jelly. You can also use Diatomaceous earth and Ivermectin, but please consult a vet before you do.
12. Thrush
Thrush or Candidiasis is a fungal disease much like the infection seen in humans. Causes Thrush transmits through a moldy feed, water, or other contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms
An oozy white secretion between the neck and the body is common, but overeating, lethargy, ruffled feathers, and a crusty vent area can occur.
Treatment
Your vet will prescribe an antifungal medication. In conclusion Having the right information on the types of poultry diseases can help you diagnose what your flock is suffering from. Also, remember to call the vet if things are looking serious! Now that you’ve got the rundown on what your chicken is dealing with, you can go help out your flock.
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