Diseases of chickens

Newcastle Disease or Avian Pest

Newcastle diseare is an acute viral infection of poultry and other birds. It is the number-one poultry killer in the Philippines. It appears suddenly and spreads rapidly. It affects all age.

Symptoms

· Watery, green &althea.
· Nasal discharge.
· Swelling of the head.
· Head and neck twisted to one side.
· Drooping wings.
· Sleepiness.
· Paralysis of wings, legs and neck.
· Eggs are abnormal in shape and color.

Mortality is 100 percent in chicks.

Treatment

There is no recommended treatment available.

Prevention

· Vaccinate birds with NCD vaccine when they are one day old.
· Isolate infected birds from healthy birds.
· Kill infected birds. Burn or bury dead birds.

Fowl pox

Fowl pox is a relatively slow-spreading viral infection of poultry, characterized by nodules on the skin. It affects all ages of poultry. The disease is spread by insect bites and by direct contact with infected birds.

FIG. 1. Fowl pox

Symptoms

· Nodules which later form into scabs.
· Blisters around the mouth, nose and eyelids.
· Watery or half closed eves.

Treatment

No effective treatment.

Prevention

· Burn dried peelings of lanzones (Lansium domesticum). The smoke helps get rid of mosquitoes.

· Fill stagnant water holes with soil to control mosquitoes.

· Vaccinate birds regularly against fowl pox. (Refer to section on vaccination in Basic husbandry practices and veterinary care.)

Infectious coryza

Infectious coryza is an acute bacterial, respiratory disease of poultry.

FIG. 1. Infectious coryza

Symptoms

· Nasal discharge.
· Rales.
· Swollen face.

Chickens become susceptible to coryza at 4 weeks of age. Susceptibility increases with age. The disease lasts two weeks. It is spread by contact with infected birds.

Treatment

Dissolve 1 teaspoon of Gallimycin powder in I gallon of water. Give as drinking water.

Mite infestation

Mites feed at night and hide during the day in cracks and crevices of the chicken house, where they deposit eggs. Mite populations grow rapidly during the warmer months. They can attack chickens of all ages, but layers are particularly affected.

Mites can also bite people, causing irritation and itchiness.

Symptoms

· Small, red bumps on the skin.
· Mites seen on the bumps.
· Birds are uncomfortable and ruffle their feathers.
· Birds constantly peck themselves.

Treatment

· Put a handful of lemon grass in the nest before the hen starts to lay. Leave it there while the hen lays and broods.

· Hang fresh leaves of either alagau (Premna odorata) or fiveleaved chaste tree (Vitex negundo) around the chicken house.

Prevention

· Blow cigarette smoke underneath the bird's wings every morning.
· Clean your poultry house regularly before hens start to lay.
· Bum all trash.

Lice infestation

Lice puncture the base of feathers and eat the skin.

FIG. 1. Lice infestation

Symptoms

· Small, white lice eggs on feathers.
· Lice moving on feathers and skin.
· Reduced egg population.
· Slower weight gain.
· Birds constantly peck themselves.

Treatment

FIG. 1. The treatment

· Hang fresh dry leaves of alagau (Premna odorata) or fiveleaved chaste tree (Vitex negundo) around the chicken house.

· Pound fresh or dried sugar apple (Annona sguamosa) seeds and rub on the bird's skin.

Prevention

FIG.2.The prevention

· Change bedding regularly.
· Smoke the poultry house regularly.
· Keep the chicken house and surroundings clean and free from

Intestinal worms

Symptoms

· Poor appetite and slow weight gain.
· Pale comb and wattle.
· Dull eyes.
· Irregular diarrhea.
· Dull, ruffled feathers.

Treatment

· Herbal medicine—nut of betelnut (see section on Herbal medicine for animals).

· Western medicine—Deworm chickens with Pipelazine. (See section on deworming in Basic husbandry practices and veterinary care.)

FIG. 1. Life cycle of roundworms in chickens