TT:Ag Ext 00:13

by: Usam Stephen, Agricultural Officer I

Some Common Health Problems of Poultry

Some common diseases of poultry are Aspergillosis, E. Coli Infection, Gumboro Disease {Infectious
Bursal Disease (IBD)}, Newcastle Disease, Coccidiosis, Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD), Infectious
Bronchitis, Malabsorption Syndrome, Blackhead, Botulism, Fowlpox and Worms.
The table below lists these diseases, their causes, signs and prevention/treatment options:
DISEASE CAUSE/SIGNS PREVENTION/TREATMENT
1. Aspergillosis Cause: Prevention:
A mould, Aspergillus fumigatus. Maintain litter as dry as possible. Brood baby
(affects baby chicks Birds inhale large numbers of spores chicks on paper rather than on sawdust.
and turkeys of all from mouldy environment, litter and Spray new litter with diesel two weeks before the
ages). feed. Disease is often spread in the chicks arrive. Copper Sulphate can be used one
hatchery. (1) day before arrival.
Signs: Store feed and litter properly to avoid musty,
Gasping, difficult breathing; lack of mouldy conditions.
appetite, weakness accompanied by
high mortality (usually 4-12% in young Treatment:
Disease cannot be treated. It can be controlled by
birds).
removing affected birds from the flock.
2. E-Coli Infection Cause: Prevention:
A bacteria, Escherichia coli which Reduce bird density; improve ventilation; practice
(affects all types and is found everywhere in the chickens’ water and pen sanitation.
ages of poultry. environment. It usually enters into
Most infections are the bird’s body through the mouth, Treatment:
in young chickens, respiratory system and navel. Treat with antibiotics during the early phase of
turkeys and ducks). Signs: infection. This may be of limited value in
The signs of infection vary: newly later stages. Antibiotics should be used after
hatched chicks are depressed, sleepy, consultation with staff of the Poultry Surveillance
and cold. Watery droppings may be Unit.
seen and there is variable mortality.
3.Gumboro Disease Cause: Prevention:
– (Infectious Bursal A virus which is resistant to adverse Vaccinate the parent stock to give immunity to their
Disease {IBD}). environmental conditions and most
offspring. Vaccinate the chicks also.
(affects primarily disinfectants.
Treatment:
broiler chickens at It is transmitted by direct contact with
3-6 weeks of age). infected birds; and faecal-contaminated There is no treatment. Prevention of chilly
feed, water, equipment and personnel. conditions and administration of water-soluble
vitamins and electrolytes may reduce disease
Signs: severity.
Marked depression; lack of appetite;
ruffled feathers; trembling; some
incoordination; droopy appearance;
watery diarrhoea; and dehydration.
Morbidity reaches almost 90%.
Mortality may at times reach up to
20%
 DISEASE CAUSE/SIGNS PREVENTION/TREATMENT
4.Newcastle Cause: Prevention:
Disease A virus, which is spread through oral and Since this is a highly contagious viral disease, a
respiratory discharges and faeces of infected high and rigid standard of sanitation should
(affects chickens birds; and mechanical vectors, e.g., equipment always be followed to prevent its introduction
of all ages). and personnel. into a poultry farm.
Signs: Depopulation and/or thorough cleaning and
There is variation in morbidity, mortality, signs disinfection of the premises and a two month rest
and lesions. There may be severe respiratory period are recommended following a diagnosis.
signs (gasping, coughing, sneezing, nasal Vaccination programme may be necessary for
discharge); incoordination; paralysis; and commercial flocks.
greenish diarrhoea, Twisting of the head and
neck and falling on the sides are also seen. The keeping of backyard chickens, fighting cocks
Mortality will depend on degree of birds’ and exotic birds in the household of poultry
resistance. Young birds are more susceptible. caretakers is strongly discouraged to prevent
possible spread of the disease to the commercial
flock.
Treatment:
There is no effective treatment. Supportive
treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics in feed
or water may help to prevent or reduce severity of
secondary bacterial infections.
5. Coccidiosis Cause: Prevention:
Coccidia spp., which affects all animals. Anticoccidials are added to the broiler feed to
This disease is one of the most economically prevent the disease. This is usually done
important diseases in poultry. Besides for commercial flocks at the level of the feed
mortality, the economic loss from loss of producers.
production as well as from treatment can be
Treatment:
very high.
Amprolium and sulphurs are recommended for
treating the disease. Start treatment as early as
It is transmitted through infection of faeces - possible in the disease for best results.
contaminated litter, feed or water.
Signs:
Reduced appetite and body weight gain;
diarrhoea with mostly watery and sometimes
bloody faeces; droopy and depressed birds.
6.CRD Cause: Prevention:
Chronic Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) An all-in, all-out system is best. Infected flock
Respiratory The severity of infection with MG is should be removed, followed by thorough
Disease increased when associated with infection by cleaning and disinfecting of the pens. Leave pens
(affects chickens viruses or bacteria that have an affinity for the vacant for 2 - 4 weeks.
of all ages) respiratory tract.
Treatment:
Personnel, equipment and infected birds spread Remove or reduce poor management conditions,
the disease through the flock. which may have enhanced severity of infection,
such as, ammonia fumes, poor ventilation, dust,
Signs: high temperature, high bird density and
Coughing; sneezing; rales; snicks; oculonasal marginal nutrition.
discharges; and reduced feed efficiency and
growth rate. Mortality may be high. The Broad-spectrum antibiotics may lower mortality
disease may persist for weeks. and reduce symptoms, but relapses may occur
when treatment is stopped.
Supportive vitamins and antibiotics should also be
given.
 DISEASE CAUSE/SIGNS PREVENTION/TREATMENT
7.Infectious Cause: Prevention:
Bronchitis A virus which is transmitted by direct contact with aerosol Vaccinate to prevent the disease from occurring
(affects chickens excretions of infected birds in contaminated premises. in accordance to vaccination programme.
of all ages) Some recovered birds may remain virus carriers for
several months. The virus induces an overall low Treatment:
productive performance. There is no cure as is the case with all viral
illnesses. Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be
Mortality is not marked, unless complicated by bacterial used only for the control or prevention of
or other viral infections. secondary bacterial complications. Reduce any
stressful conditions and keep affected birds as
Signs: comfortable as possible.
Depression; nasal and eye discharges; sneezing, coughing
and rales. Morbidity is high.

8. Cause: Prevention:
Malabsorption Several related reoviruses. Disease is spread through As soon as clinical signs are seen, use a soluble
Syndrome direct contact with faeces and airborne discharges. polyvitamin supplement in the drinking water for
about five (5) days. This should significantly
Signs: reduce the severity and duration of the syndrome.
Increased young chick mortality; stunted growth;
abnormal feathering, paleness of skin; high incidence of Treatment:
leg weakness; and diarrhoea in birds 1 - 4 weeks old. There is no specific treatment.

9. Black Head Cause: Prevention:

(mostly affects A protozoan Histomonas meleagridis. Transmitted by The disease can be transmitted directly or
young turkeys ingestion of feed and water supplies contaminated with indirectly. Young birds must not be reared near
and poultry up embryonated eggs of the caecal worm found in common older birds or on the ground previously used by
to 12 weeks of poultry. It can also be transmitted in earthworms which older chickens or turkeys.
age). feed on the embryonated caecal worm.
Treatment:
Signs: Drugs recommended for treatment include
Depression; decreased appetite; watery sulphur-covered dimetridazole and ronidazole. Water - soluble
faeces; high morbidity and mortality. The disease runs a treatments are more satisfactory.
chronic course resulting in marked emaciation of birds.
(Head of infected birds is not dark). Worm turkey flocks with phenothiazine.

10. Botulism Cause: Prevention:

(affects all wild Ingestion of exotoxins produced by the spore - forming Ensure that birds do not have access to spoiled
and domestic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. food or decaying carcasses. Use a disposal pit.
birds especially Maggots of the blue bottle fly, which feed on
ducks) The disease is non-contagious. Birds eat spoiled feeds,
carcasses, are dangerous as they may contain
decayed vegetation, and decayed meats from dead
the botulinus toxin and are often eaten by
poultry or toxin containing fly maggots. Highest
poultry. When botulism is encountered, get rid
incidence occurs during the dry season.
of the source of infection quickly.
Signs:
To treat valuable birds (e.g. breeder drakes
The birds become very weak; sleepy; have etc.), give a laxative in the drinking water
difficulty in swallowing and have progressive paralysis (1 pt. of molasses in 5 gals of water) for 4
of legs, wing and neck. Birds are unable to lift their hours and then remove the laxative.
heads off the ground. Feathers are loose and are pulled
out easily. Flush the crop with warm water administered
through a funnel and rubber tube.
Keep birds in a cool, shady place. Wash hands
carefully after handling botulism affected
birds.
 DISEASE CAUSE/SIGNS PREVENTION/TREATMENT
11. Fowl Pox Cause: Prevention:
(affects especially A virus which is transmitted by direct Vaccinate turkeys within the first week using
turkeys of all ages contact with infected birds. The virus the thigh-stick method, that is, on the skin
but chickens also) enters the skin through minor abrasions. between the thigh and abdomen.
Signs: Since disease spreads slowly, vaccinate
unaffected birds in the flock by wing web
Reduction in appetite; weight loss and low
methods using the fowl pox strain.
egg production.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics in feed or water
The flock may not show any disease signs
are advisable to prevent aggravating
until wounds are seen on the skin.
secondary bacterial infections.
Mortality is variable but may be as high as
Treatment:
40%.
There is no treatment for affected birds.

12. Worms Cause: Prevention:

(tape worms and Worms parasitize poultry. Environment Proper management of the litter is required to
roundworms plays a great part in the occurrence of both prevent these infestations.
occur in both kinds and numbers of worms in poultry.
Treatment:
chickens and
Worms cause a drop in egg production and
turkeys). Worm the birds living in locations known for
retards growth. In addition, it places
worm infestation according to manufacturer’s
a stress on the normal physiological
recommendations.
processes of the birds. This tends to make
them less resistant to other types of Use piperazine compounds for roundworms.
infection, or to other stress factors. Use mebendazole compounds for tapeworms.
Worms are spread directly through the (Do not feed to layers).
droppings of the birds. The eggs of the
parasites may remain alive in litter or soil
for many months.
Signs:
Droopiness, paleness and diarrhoea.

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For further information and advice consult a Veterinarian or the Poultry Surveillance Unit
or contact your Extension Officer
Published and Printed by
The Extension Training and Information Services Division
Technical Content reviewed by the Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production
Trinidad and Tobago
First Published, August 2001
Revised April 2014