The most common bird diseases: description, symptoms, treatment and prevention

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Farming poultry is not only profitable, but also affordable. With proper housekeeping, you can not only provide your family with meat and eggs, but also earn decent money. However, as in every business, there are pitfalls, and here they are. The main problem in breeding poultry are diseases that, in the absence of adequate treatment and preventive measures, can cause serious damage to the economy. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the most common poultry diseases, their characteristic signs at the initial stage of development, as well as methods for eliminating the problem.

Causes and types of diseases

Diseases in poultry often develop for the following reasons:

• ignoring the basic standards of maintenance: cleanliness of premises and equipment, compliancetemperature setting;
• poor quality and unbalanced food;
• non-compliance with the rules for planting birds per 1 meter of area.

The combination of these factors leads to a decrease in the immunity of the bird, as a result of which its susceptibility to various infections and bacteria increases.

All diseases fall into 2 main categories:

1. Contagious. The provoking factor of development are pathogens, mites, parasites. This category includes many diseases of farm animals and birds that can be transmitted not only to the rest of the livestock, but also to humans. Farmers should be aware of them. These include infectious and parasitic diseases of birds.
2. Non-contagious. They develop against the background of improper keeping and nutrition of the bird. Not able to spread to other individuals and transmitted to humans.

Both species are dangerous, because in the absence of adequate methods of treatment they can cause irreparable damage to the economy, so it is worth studying the most common diseases of birds. This will help to recognize pathologies by initial signs.

Infectious diseases of birds

This type of disease is the most dangerous, as in most cases it develops suddenly and at lightning speed. In a matter of days, contagious bird diseases can spread to the entire population. At the first alarming symptoms, sick specimens should be isolated from the rest and a veterinarian should be called. Consider the most common of them.

Smallpox-Diphtheria

Pathologydevelops against the background of penetration into the body of a filterable virus, which has 3 main strains. As a result of this, veterinarians distinguish such forms of the disease: conjunctival, diphtheritic, smallpox. Geese and ducks are not susceptible to the virus.

Infection of birds occurs through infected feed, inventory, and sick wild birds, blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, wasps, ticks) can also be a source. The incubation period is 3-8 days.

Primary symptoms:

• general distress;
• ruffled feathers;
• lack of appetite;
• egg production is reduced to a minimum;
• wings down;
• films are present in the mouth making breathing difficult;
• swelling of the eyes (with conjunctival form);
• warts appear on the scalp (with smallpox).

Specific drugs to eliminate this disease do not exist. If necessary, films should be removed from the oral cavity and the wounds should be treated with a mixture of 5% iodine and glycerin, taken in equal amounts. If the eyes are affected, they should be washed with a 2% solution of boric acid. During therapy, provide the bird with a complete diet with a high content of green soft food.

Pulloros, or bacillary white diarrhea

A dangerous disease of birds, which in an acute form manifests itself in chickens and turkey poults. The most susceptible to it are young animals aged from 1 to 14 days, however, errors in care can increase the likelihood of developing the disease even under the age of 2 months. In adults, the disease canbe present in a chronic form, periodically exacerbating.

The causative agent of pullorosis is pullor bacillus, belonging to the Salmonella group. In litter, the infection remains viable for 100 days, in water - 200 days.

Infection occurs through eggs, that is, the offspring obtained from them is already infected. Another mode of transmission occurs through feed or implements while keeping chicks and adults at the same time.

Main signs in young animals:

• profuse white diarrhea;
• feathers ruffled;
• eyes half closed;
• dejected state;
• drastic weight loss.

The chronic form of the disease in an adult bird is practically not manifested. Only during the period of exacerbation does egg production decrease, appetite decreases, uncharacteristic lethargy and sagging of the abdomen appear.

The main drugs for pullorosis in young animals:

1. "Biomycin hydrochloric acid". Up to 10 days of age - 1 mg per 1 head, at the age of 11 to 20 days - 1.2 mg per 1 individual. The daily rate should be divided into 2 doses, morning and evening. Therapy is carried out until the anxiety symptoms are completely eliminated. The drug is also used as a prophylaxis, so it can be used for chickens and turkeys from the age of one day.
2. "Norsulfazol sodium". It is prescribed for preventive purposes from the first day of life. A solution of the drug (0.04-0.01%) is used for drinking for 5-6 days.
3. "Penicillin". It is used to treat chickens and turkeys. Daily dosageis 2-4 thousand international units per 1 head. Duration of therapy - 5-8 days, twice a day.
4. "Synthomycin". Daily dosage - 20 g per 1 individual. Duration of treatment - 5-8 days three times a day. "Synthomycin" should initially be dissolved in wine alcohol in a ratio of 1 to 10, and then added to water, which will be used for mixing the flour mixture or for drinking.

Pasteurellosis, or cholera

A dangerous disease affecting all types of poultry of any age.

The causative agent is Pasteurella ovoid. The microbe remains viable in manure for 1 month, in soil - 1-3 months, in water - 3 weeks.

The source of infection are sick birds and animals, rodents, skin parasites. The infection is transmitted through drinking and food. The spread of bird disease is facilitated by overcrowding, dampness of premises, a sharp change in weather, and malnutrition. The incubation period is 3-5 days.

Clinical signs:

• crest and grooves cyanotic;
• oppressed general condition;
• intense thirst;
• lack of mobility;
• high temperature (42-43 degrees);
• rapid breathing;
• ruffled feathers;
• diarrhea, liquid, greenish stools.

If the bird does not die within the first 7 days, the disease becomes chronic, affecting individual organs.

Drugs for the treatment and prevention of pasteurellosis:

1. "Biomycin". Daily dosage - 15-20 g per 1 individual, introduced with food for 7-10 days.
2. "Terramycin". It is used as a preventive measure. It is administered as a 3-5% solution intramuscularly, at a dosage of 1 mg per head.
3. "Penicillin". Used for healing. Dosage - 3-4 thousand international units per 1 kg of live weight. The drug is administered 3 times a day intramuscularly, every 6-8 hours. If necessary, therapy is repeated after 3, 5, 10 days. With timely use, up to 80% of the infected livestock can be saved.

Paratyphoid

Infectious disease of birds, which mostly affects young animals. Dangerous for goslings, ducklings, rarely seen in turkey poults and chickens. Can be transmitted to humans and animals. Therefore, every poultry farmer should know about the symptoms and treatment of poultry disease.

It is caused by bacteria belonging to the Salmonella group. The viability of paratyphoid bacillus persists in soil for 2-3 months, in litter - 5 months, in s alted meat - 5 months. A provoking development factor is an insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals in the diet of the bird, overheating in the incubator, overcrowding, dirt and dampness in the premises.

The main source of infection are adult carriers, from whose eggs the young are hatched. The virus penetrates the yolk, so part of the offspring dies at the embryonic stage during the incubation process. Survivors eventually become a source of infection, as the disease becomes chronic with periods of exacerbation and relief. The incubation period is from 12 hours to several days.

Initial signs of paratyphoid:

• chill;
• drowsy;
• thirst;
• feathers ruffled;
• wings down;
• lack of appetite;
• lacrimation;
• purulent conjunctivitis;
• convulsions;
• tilting the head back;
• diarrhea, liquid and foamy stools.

Treatments:

1. "Synthomycin". It is prescribed for ducklings and goslings up to 30 days of age - 10-15 mg per 1 dose. The drug is applied three times a day for 5 days.
2. "Levomycetin" or "Biomycin". The dosage of the drug for 1 dose is 5-10 mg. The drug is administered three times a day for 5 days.

Gumboro disease, or infectious bursitis

Gumboro disease in birds is characterized by the rapid course of the pathological process. As a result of infection, lethal outcomes reach 50%. In addition, a high percentage of rejected carcasses, which lose their commercial qualities against the background of numerous hemorrhages and exhaustion, also bring a loss.

Infection occurs through mucous membranes. Provocative factors of distribution are the total content of adults and young animals, litter, litter. The carrier of a viral disease of birds are infected chickens purchased from an unscrupulous producer.

Infection affects chicks between 2 and 15 weeks of age, but 3 to 5 weeks is considered the most dangerous.

Characteristic signs of infection:

• refusing food;
• diarrhea;
• chill;
• ruffled feathers;
• depressed general condition.

Special preparations for the treatment of Gumboro's disease do not exist. Therefore, the only effective method of combating this disease is the timely vaccination of young animals.

Plague

This poultry disease affects young and adults. Infection occurs through drinking, food and airborne droplets.

The causative agent of the pathology are strains A and B of the filterable virus. Strain A causes a typical form of plague, and strain B causes an atypical form. The disease affects chickens, guinea fowls, turkeys, peacocks.

Atypical form affects young animals under the age of 3 months. Birds aged 3 to 6 months suffer from 2 forms of the disease equally, and adults are affected by typical plague. The incubation period lasts from several hours to 8 days.

Clinical signs:

• temperature 43-44 degrees;
• puffiness of the eyelids;
• feathers ruffled;
• general weakness;
• drowsy;
• refusing food;
• comb and earrings have a bluish tinge;
• mucous discharge from nostrils;
• swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue;
• crowing sound;
• convulsions;
• tilting the head.

Plague death rate is 90-95% of diagnosed cases. So far, no effective treatment for this disease has been developed. Therefore, the only way to protect the economy from the plague is through preventive vaccination.

Infectiouslaryngotracheitis

This respiratory disease of birds is characterized by the rapid development of the pathological process. It is most dangerous for chickens.

The causative agent of infectious laryngotracheitis is a filterable virus, unstable to the external environment. Under the action of sunlight, it dies within 7 hours. Disinfectants can completely destroy it.

The source of the disease are adult carrier hens. The provoking factor is non-compliance with the rules of keeping poultry, vitamin deficiency A, B2, D and a deficiency in the diet of minerals. The incubation period is from 3 days to 6 weeks, depending on the type of pathology.

Clinical symptoms:

• h alt breathing;
• general weakness;
• mucous discharge in the larynx and trachea;
• drastic weight loss;
• gurgling sounds;
• wheezing;
• pale skin.

The mortality rate is 15%, this occurs as a result of suffocation of the bird, as the lumen in the larynx is filled with abundant secretions.

Treatments:

1. "Biomycin hydrochloric acid". Dosage - 10-30 g per 1 individual, twice a day. Duration of therapy - 5 days, repeat the treatment after a week.
2. Formalin water solution. The drug is introduced into the drink at the rate of 1:2000 three times a decade.

Pathologies caused by vitamin deficiency

The main reason for the development of non-communicable diseases of birds is non-compliance with the rules for keeping birds, as well as the lack of sufficient amounts of essential vitamins and minerals in their diet. Often these diseases lead to the death of the entire livestock.

Avitaminosis

Veterinarians distinguish the following main types of pathology:

1. Avitaminosis A. Vitamin A deficiency leads to keratinization of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, eyes, esophagus trachea. As a result, scabs form on the surface, curdled discharge appears. In young animals, against the background of a deficiency, growth slows down, exhaustion develops, abnormal changes in the skeleton are observed, and feathers fall out. To combat the pathological process, it is recommended to enrich the diet with a synthetic analogue of vitamin A, as well as introduce orange fruits into the diet.
2. Vitaminosis B. Most susceptible to vitamin B deficiency are young animals aged 2 to 5 weeks. A characteristic symptom is dermatitis, tremor of the limbs, impaired renal and hepatic function, and paralysis. For the prevention of beriberi, it is recommended to introduce yeast, fish and meat and bone meal, bran into the diet.
3. Avitaminosis D. Lack of this vitamin provokes swelling of the joints, rickets, softening of the bones. In adults, the eggs have a soft shell. To eliminate the disease, it is recommended to add chalk, shell rock, fish oil, slaked lime to the diet.
4. Evitaminosis E. Young animals at the age of 3-5 weeks are more affected. The bird has a loss of interest in food, general weakness, weight loss, and impaired coordination of movements. In the absence of therapeutic measures, a rapid loss of livestock occurs. To eliminate the problem, it is recommended to add green mass, herbal flour, dairy products to the diet.

Cannibalism

This disease develops in chickens. Veterinarians say that its development is facilitated by improper keeping of birds, the presence of parasites, and a lack of calcium in the diet. Aggressive behavior is more susceptible to adults during molting and egg-laying.

To prevent pecking, it is recommended to introduce meat and bone meal, oatmeal, straw, fresh herbs, potatoes, cabbage, cake into the diet.

To treat open wounds as a result of pecking, use brilliant green, wood tar, ASD-2.

If, despite the measures taken, cannibalism continues, debeaking is recommended. This procedure is used for young animals in order to shorten the beak, followed by cauterization of wounds.

Qatar, blocked goiter

This poultry disease develops as a result of feeding poor-quality or spoiled feed to the livestock. The bird initially stops approaching the feeder, then refuses water, begins to stretch its head, shake it, trying to spit something out. When the form is started, an unpleasant odor and a foamy substance from the mouth appear.

To eliminate the pathological process and stagnation, goiter massage is performed. To do this, the bird should be taken by the paws, turned upside down and run your hand from the goiter to the throat. After the procedure, the bird should be given a weak solution of potassium permanganate to drink, and then fed with whey, cottage cheese or yogurt.

Protozoal diseases of birds

This group includes contagious diseases of birds,caused by internal parasites that feed on others. Let's look at them in more detail below.

Coccidiosis

The causative agents of the pathological process are the simplest intracellular parasites - coccidia. They parasitize in the small intestine of birds, when multiplying by repeated division, they damage the walls of the organ.

Coccidia go through 3 stages of development, the first two - inside the bird's body, and the third - in the external environment. It is during this period that infection of he althy individuals occurs as a result of pecking of the litter of sick individuals. The incubation period lasts 4-7 days.

Most often the disease occurs in chickens, less often in turkeys, goslings and ducklings. In the soil, the viability of the pathogen persists for 1 year. Coccidia are resistant to chemicals but can't stand the sun.

Characteristic signs of coccidiosis:

• rapid exhaustion;
• diarrhea, often with blood;
• wobbly gait;
• head pulled into body;
• chill.

Mortality is 50-70% of the livestock. The development of the disease provokes improper keeping of poultry, lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet.

Medications:

1. "Akrikhin". Daily dosage - 0, 5-2, 0 g per 10 water. Added to drink. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.
2. Sulfur powder. Daily dosage - 2% of the total feed. The duration of therapy is no more than 5 days, as it contributes to the development of rickets.
3. "Phenothiazine". It is prescribed at a dosage of 1 g of the drug per 1 kglive weight of the bird. Introduced with feed 2 days in a row.
4. "Biomycin hydrochloric acid". It is prescribed 3-5 mg per day. The medicine is administered twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. Initially, the drug should be dissolved in water, and then a mash should be prepared on its basis. The course of therapy is 3-5 days.
5. "Synthomycin" - 20 mg per 1 kg of live weight. The drug is added to the feed 1 time per day. Duration of treatment - 4 days.

Histomoniosis

The disease causes purulent-necrotic inflammation of the caecum and focal liver damage.

The causative agent of the pathology is histomonad meleagridis - a parasite that has a round or oval shape. It affects turkey poults at the age of 2 weeks to 3-4 months. In chickens and goslings, pathology is diagnosed less often.

Infection occurs as a result of the isolation of histomonads by a sick bird. The lack of vitamins in the diet and the unsanitary maintenance of birds contribute to the development of a severe form of the disease. The incubation period is from 3 to 30 days.

Characteristic signs of infection:

• refusing food;
• diarrhea with green and brown impurities;
• bluish tint of the comb, earrings, scalp;
• chill;
• exhaustion.

Death occurs on the 7-20th day and is recorded in 80-85% of the infected livestock.

Treatment is carried out with the following drugs:

1. "Osarsol". It is prescribed 6-15 mg for each kg of live weight. The drug should initially be dissolved in a 1% solution of bicarbonate of soda, and then injected into water. Based on itmix should be prepared. The course of treatment is 3 days. Repeat the therapy after 4 days.
2. "Phenothiazine". Daily dosage - 0.5-1.0 g per head. Duration of treatment - 3-5 days.

Trichomoniasis

The causative agent of the disease are protozoa - mastigophores, belonging to the class of flagellates. As a result of their vital activity, the upper intestine is affected, and nodules form in the liver.

The source is sick individuals and contaminated water. Trichomoniasis is equally dangerous for all types of poultry. The incubation period is 6-15 days.

Clinical signs:

• heavy breathing;
• mucous discharge from nose and eyes;
• loss of appetite;
• depression;
• weakness;
• whitish yellow nodules in the mouth;
• difficulty swallowing.

Drugs to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and treat poultry diseases:

1. "Osarsol". Dosage - 10 mg per 1 kg of live weight. Initially, the drug is dissolved in a 1% soda solution, and then injected into the water. Duration of admission - 4 days.
2. "Phenothiazine". The norm is 0.2-0.5 g per individual per day. The course of treatment is 2-3 days.

Invasive diseases

No less dangerous for birds are invasive diseases caused by external parasites. Without adequate treatment, they can cause serious damage to the poultry industry.

Carriers of parasites are wild birds, rodents, a person who brought the pathogen on the soleyour shoes. Provocative factors of mass distribution: overcrowding, dirt in the premises, reduced bird immunity against the background of insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals in the diet.

The most common invasive bird diseases (they should be treated immediately) are as follows:

1. Ticks. Small insects that feed on animal blood. They are active at night. They are carriers of dangerous viral diseases. For the fight, it is necessary to treat the premises with acaricides as prescribed by the veterinarian twice with a frequency of 1 week.
2. Bedbugs, fleas, lice. Small insects that settle in the basal region of feathers, which cause concern to birds. When they appear, the bird constantly tries to get under the plumage with its beak. For treatment, drugs such as "Bars", "Frontline", "Neostomazan" are used.
3. Puhoperoedy and pereedy. Small parasites that live on down and feathers. They feed on keratinized skin particles, blood from fresh wounds, plumage. The parasite can be brought in by a person on the sole, wild birds, rodents. The provoking factor of reproduction is the dirty and crowded keeping of the bird. For treatment, preparations of the peritrin group are used, which are used to treat the premises and all livestock.

Fungal diseases

This group includes bird diseases caused by spores of pathogenic fungi. They can be transmitted through feed and food. In the absence of timely measures, the disease can be transmitted to the entire livestock.

Thrush, orcandidiasis

The most common fungal disease of birds (see photo below) can be transmitted to animals and humans. Pathology affects the oral cavity, esophagus and goiter. A provocative development factor is keeping birds on a monotonous feed.

The causative agent of pathology are yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. The ideal environment for their reproduction is polluted water. Thrush is not transmitted between birds.

Main symptoms of bird disease:

• Seals on the oral mucosa, crest and goiter of a white-gray hue.
• Sluggishness.
• Pale skin.
• Shabby appearance.
• Apathy.

Diagnosis of bird disease is carried out by a veterinarian by external characteristic signs. Based on this, a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

Medications:

1. "Nystatin". Daily dosage - 0.5-1.0 g per 10 kg of feed. Duration of administration - 7 days.
2. "Copper sulfate". The dosage of the agent per day is 0.9-1.2 mg per 10 kg of feed. The course of treatment is 10 days.

Poisoning

Moldy or expired feed is often the source of non-contagious bird diseases. You can identify the poor quality of the grain by the characteristic dark dots along the seam. This sign indicates the presence of mold spores.

In addition, a spoiled wet mash that remains in the inventory can cause severe poisoning. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the feeders from uneaten residues in a timely manner througha few hours after feeding.

General symptoms of intoxication:

• vomit;
• thirst;
• anxiety;
• bloody diarrhoea;
• tremor of limbs,

As a first aid, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used, as well as a mixture of activated charcoal and baking soda. Medicines are injected every 3 hours with a pipette into the beak. When the condition returns to normal, a decoction of flax seed is applied, 2-3 drops per individual.

Diagnostics of bird diseases and their treatment are prescribed by a veterinarian who should be called at the first alarming signs.

Constipation

Pathology is characterized by blockage of the intestinal lumen. It often occurs in obese birds and individuals infected with intestinal parasites.

Characteristic symptoms:

• a difficult bowel movement in which the bird sits down and shakes its tail;
• constantly covered eyes;
• raised feathers;
• refusing food;
• general lethargy.

To cleanse the intestines, 2-3 drops of vegetable oil are introduced into the anus, which improves the release of feces. To prevent constipation, the bird should be fed vegetables and greens regularly.

Hypothermia and hyperthermia

In chicks under the age of 30 days, the thermoregulation system is not fully formed, so they need artificial heating. Hypothermia (hypothermia) forces them to huddle near a heat source, climb on top of each other, which can lead to trampling of weaker individuals. Therefore, it is necessary to place a sufficient number of heaters so as not toprovoke crowded accommodation.

High temperatures also have a negative impact on the he alth of birds. It is especially unfavorable for waterfowl. Signs of hyperthermia (overheating) are thirst, decreased appetite, cyanosis and wrinkled comb. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to equip the poultry house with ventilation, provide constant access to water, and make spacious sheds for walking outside during the hot season.

Prevention

Preventing bird diseases is more cost-effective than treating them. Even a recovered livestock cannot always fully restore its reproductive performance. Therefore, for successful poultry management, special attention should be paid to the prevention of bird diseases.

Basic requirements:

1. Buy hatching eggs and chicks from trusted manufacturers.
2. Ensure separate keeping of young and adults.
3. Quarantine newbies.
4. Keep unauthorized people out of the poultry house.
5. Balance nutrition by saturating the diet with green mass, vitamins, vegetables and mineral mixtures.
6. Timely remove uneaten leftovers from feeders, remove litter from the premises.
7. Conduct regular disinfection of premises and equipment.

The more attention is paid to disease prevention, the higher the immunity of birds. And this will reduce the likelihood of loss of livestock to a minimum.