Disease control and management
Time : 2012-09-12

Basic information

The most important thing to be put in placed in a poultry farm is to maintain a good environment and keep the chickens healthy.  The house should be kept clean for the arrival of the new chicks rather than placing them in where the old flocks from where moved out from, this means that everything from the drinkers and feed bowls to the walls and floors have to be cleaned properly and sanitised

A combination of a formalin-based product and chlorine should be used to ensure thorough cleaning. Formalin is very strong, and you need to wear protective clothing while applying it. The chlorine kills bacteria and also eliminates bad smells. The combination works very well

Before a new cycle of chickens is placed in the houses, the entire area, including the canvas sides, is cleaned thoroughly. Old litter and wood shavings are removed, it is crucial to remove every trace of manure from used litter gotten from the former chicken houses as well as the farm there is a risk that any diseases they carry could be transferred to the flock, the strong ammonia smell of the manure in the litter can also cause respiratory problems in the chickens, leading to colds. Chickens that live in a clean and healthy environment simply grow better and do not contact disease easily

The chicken feed attracts rats and wild birds, so it should be properly sealed or in an area where they cannot access the feed. It is best to have a rat-control system, cleaning and disinfecting of the vehicles and cages with the same products used on the poultry houses, provide a stress relieving formula in their drinking water when the chicks arrive in the poultry house and provide an adequate spacing in maintaining flock health

Disease control and management


How to manage disease spread

1. Always keep the chicken coop clean

Provide roosts in other for the chickens not to be sleeping on their droppings. Frequently remove droppings and clean the Pen and Wash or Disinfect regularly. If you have a choice, select a coop of an easily cleaned material like metal or plastic. Wood quickly absorbs urine and faeces bacteria, so Metal or Plastic is better to be used. Ensure to replace Nesting material fortnightly, or whenever it is soiled, treat the pen and nesting area for mites and other parasites. Locate the pen in a sunny, well-drained position. Rotate pasture wherever possible

Never leave uneaten feed on the ground. Not only does it rot, potentially causing illness, but it is also the primary attractant for disease-carrying vermin

2. Reduce environmental stress

Never overcrowd your pen, in other to protect the chickens from extreme weather ensure that birds have a warm place to roost. It should be protected from wind and rain, and provide somewhere cool to rest in hot weather. Take particular care of your chickens when they are suffering from stresses such as moulting, breeding, transport and changes in diet, the use supplements to counteract the effect of stress

3. Implement a health management program for the chickens

A health management program may sound complicated, but preventing illness in the first place is far more effective, and more straightforward, than treating it after the fact. Inoculate chicks against coccidiosis. Many chicks bought commercially will be vaccinated for this common disease, ask your supplier, otherwise, medicated feed is widely available, ensure that you don’t give the feed to laying hens and always deworm your chickens twice yearly, preferably in spring and autumn. Then treat chickens for mites and lice at least twice a year, in addition to treating the pen with an insecticide

4. Avoid introducing disease into your chicken coop

Rodents carry parasites and disease, which are spread primarily through faeces. Always ensure that food sources are out of reach of rats and mice. Dispose of any feed contaminated by droppings. Spilled feed is what typically attracts rats and mice to the chicken coop, and once they are there, they are challenging to remove. Wild birds are generally infected with worms and also carry many diseases that can be passed on to domestic fowl. Where possible, limit the access of wild birds to your chicken coop. It is particularly important to ensure that these unwanted visitors cannot access the feeder and the water trough. While Chickens naturally eat insects, slugs, snails, earthworms and other insects are frequently carriers for worm eggs. When they hatch, they infect your chickens. Never feed your chickens these pests and limit access if possible

5. Keep sick chickens away from the flock

Illness spreads rapidly amongst chickens. It is essential to monitor the chickens carefully and remove any chicken showing signs of disease as quickly as possible, this help to prevent the infection of others. Removing of sick chickens also gives them a better chance of recovery, and stops other birds from picking on them, once the bird has been isolated, ensure it is well-hydrated and warm. If you are treating a bird for a contagious illness, it is usually advisable to treat the whole flock. Ultimately, even if only one bird is showing signs of illness, chances are that the entire flock has been infected and it is only a matter of time until they too fall ill. This is particularly the case with internal parasites such as worms

6. Keep a ventilated coop

Provide a well-ventilated but draft-free building with enough space for the number of chickens in your flock because proper ventilation reduces ammonia build-up, making sure the coop is large enough to help prevent stress and fighting between birds

7. Disposal of dead chickens

Properly dispose of all dead birds and old litter because dead birds and old litter attract flies, which can carry diseases from infected to healthy birds. Preventing flies and odours reduces the likelihood of this type of disease transmission

8. Ask a vet

When there is a disease outbreak in among the flock, get an accurate diagnosis from a professional as soon as possible. Since some diseases show similar symptoms, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis before administering treatment. It is also important to know what you are dealing with so it can be controlled before it spreads to other nearby flocks

9. Practice proper procedures

Ensure to change into clean clothing and wash hands with anti-bacterial soap when working with one species of bird and then another or different aged birds. If this is not possible, work with younger birds first before handling older ones, and work with health birds prior to handling sick one because young birds may not have developed resistance to disease like older birds, so it is important to work with them before the rest of the flock. Likewise when you walk around sick birds and then walk into a coop full of healthy birds, you may spread the disease on your clothes and hands



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The different diseases and their control measures

1. Marek's disease (MD)

1. It is highly contagious viral disease of poultry characterized by enlargement of nerves and internal organs

2. It has great economic significance

2. Herpes virus causes this disease

3. Virus can survive at 370C for 24 hrs. And in poultry house, droppings, litter, dust, feather follicles and dander for several weeks or months

4. Virus can be inactivated by common chemical disinfectants within 10 minutes of treatment as well as with high humidity

5 The virus matures into a fully infective, envelope form in the epithelium of the feather follicle, from which it is released into the environment

6. It may survive for months in poultry house litter or dust. Dust or dander from infected chickens is particularly effective in transmission

7. Transmission occurs by direct and indirect contacts by air- borne route (aerosols) and inhalation of infective materials mainly dust containing epithelial cells of feather follicles and dander

8. Once the virus is introduced into a chicken flock, regardless of vaccination status, infection spreads quickly from bird to bird

9. Infected chickens continue to be carriers for long periods and act as sources of infectious virus. Shedding of infectious virus can be reduced, but not prevented, by prior vaccination

10. Infective materials can also be transmitted through fomites, personnel and beetles

Symptoms

1. Disease appears in two distinct forms, viz. Acute and classical form

Lameness or paralysis around 12 weeks of age may be indicative of this disease

3. Acute form is manifested with sudden deaths due to formation of lymphomas in the visceral organs

4. Birds may show depression, anaemia, anorexia, emaciation and weight loss and diarrhea

5. Younger birds from 4 weeks onwards (mostly 6 to 10 weeks) generally suffer from this form and mortality may go as high as 60%

6. Classical form involves lesions in the nerves of birds above 12 weeks with 10-30% mortality occurring over a long period

7. Commonly, there is in coordination, lameness, partial or complete paralysis of wings and legs with birds unable to stand

8. A transient paralysis syndrome (unilateral leg paresis) has been associated with marek’s disease, causing a characteristic posture of one leg held forward and the other held backward as lesions progress

9. Twisting of neck (torticollis) results from involvement of cervical nerves and paralysis and dilatation of crop results from involvement of valgus nerves

10. Blindness may also occur due to unilateral or bilateral ocular involvement

Gross lesions

Diffuse or nodular lymphoid tumors may be seen in various organs, particularly the liver, spleen, gonads, heart, lung, kidney, muscle, and proventriculus

Enlarged nerves are one of the most consistent gross lesions in affected birds

Enlarged feather follicles commonly termed skin leukosis may be noted

Prevention and control

1. Vaccination is the one of the most exploited and economical ways of Marek's Disease control and solid immunity develops after 7 days of vaccination

2. Now days, in ovo vaccination (in 18 days old embryo) are done with automated technology in many developed countries

3. Procurement of stocks from Marek’s Disease resistant sources followed by regular testing for Marek’s Disease

4. All-in-and-all-out policy of rearing the stocks minimizes the chances of disease in vaccinated flocks by breaking the infection cycle with disinfection

5. Strict biosecurity along with adequate hygiene and sanitation in addition to vaccination are essential for prevention of the disease

6. After outbreaks, premises should be disinfected with 5% formalin and kept without stocks for at least one month

2. Infectious bursal disease (IBD)

1. This is acute and highly contagious infection of chickens

2. It is otherwise called as Gumboro disease or Infectious Bursitis or Avian nephrosis

3. Young chicks’ up to 0-6 weeks are more susceptible

4. Morbidity is 100% and mortality is 80-90%

5. B- Lymphocytes are the primary target cells. It primarily affects the bursa of fabricius, an important organ responsible for immunity

6. Incubation period is short and clinical signs observed in 2-3 days following infection

7. Economically significant, because heavy mortality in 3 – 6 wks. Old chickens and older and severe prolonged immunosuppression of chickens infected at an early age

8. This disease breakdowns the immunity, leading to the outbreak of other diseases

9. Immunosuppression leads to vaccination failures, Escherichia coli infection, and Gangrenous dermatitis and Inclusion Body hepatitis – anaemia syndrome

Causes

1. This virus is highly contagious and persistent in the environment of poultry houses

2. Affected birds excrete the virus in faeces for 10-14 days

3. Virus survives up to 120 days in poultry sheds

4. Water, feed, droppings from infected birds are viable for 52 days in the poultry houses

5. Hardy nature of this virus survives heat, cleaning and disinfectant procedures

6. Survives in the environment between outbreaks

7. Meal worm, aedes vexan (mosquito) and litter mites appear to act as carriers and remains infective for up to 8 weeks

8. Egg trays, vehicles used in the transport of birds, eggs and personal handling of birds in sheds and elsewhere are very important source of carriers of infection

9. Role of mechanical vectors (Human, wild birds, insects)

10. No vertical transmission and carriers. (Disease is not transmitted through eggs)

Symptoms

Self-vent pecking

Anorexia

Depression and trembling

Watery and whitish diarrhea

Soiled vents

Ruffled feathers

Reluctant to move

Closed eyes and death

Gross lesions

Dehydration of carcass

Petechial / paint brush haemorrhages on the leg, thigh and pectoral muscles

Hemorrhage in the Proventriculus and Gizzard junction

Enlargement of bursa fabricius to almost double its normal size

Haemorrhage on the internal and serosal surfaces of the bursa fabricius

Intestine with excess mucus

Prevention and control

1. Primary vaccination with mild or intermediate strain at 2 weeks of age

2. Booster vaccination with intermediate strain (live) after 3 weeks of age

3. Vaccination of breeder stock and sero-monitoring by hatcheries to ensure adequate levels of maternal antibodies in the chicks

4. To obtain high levels of MDA in progeny, parent stocks are vaccinated between 4 and 10 weeks of age with live vaccine and again at approximately 16 weeks with inactivated oil-adjuvant vaccine

5. Include immuno-stimulants like Vitamin E in the feed

6. Give toxin-free feed

7. Disposal of litter, dead birds, used gunny bags, curtains and other disposables by incineration or deep burial with slaked lime

8. Restricting vehicular movements with crates, egg trays and culled birds

9. Treating feeders and water trough with 5% formalin

10. Fumigating new poultry sheds with formalin fumes

11 Restricting personnel to their sheds for work

3. Infectious coryza

1. Infectious coryza is an acute, highly contagious, bacterial disease of the upper respiratory tract of chickens

2. Chronic respiratory disease can develop when complicated by other pathogens

3. Characterized by swelling of the face (facial oedema), and discharge from the eyes and nostrils

4. This disease is caused by bacteria called homophiles paragallinarum

5. Older bird suffers more severely

6. Clinically affected and carrier birds act as a main source for disease

7. It can be transmitted by drinking water contaminated by nasal discharge as well as by airborne means over a short distance

8. Lateral transmission occurs readily by direct contact

9. Factors that predispose to more severe and prolonged disease (chronic respiratory disease) include intercurrent infections with microorganisms such as infectious bronchitis virus, Laryngotracheitis virus, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Escherichia coli or Pasteurella spp. And unfavorable environmental conditions

10. Economic losses are due to marked reduction in egg production (10-40%) in layer

Symptoms

The disease in flocks on deep litter management is characterized by rapid spread, high morbidity and low mortality

First typical symptoms include sneezing, mucus –like discharge from the opening of the nose, eyes, and swelling on the face (facial oedema)

In severe case conjunctivitis with closed eyes, swollen wattles, and difficulty in breathing can be seen

Feed and water consumption is usually decreased resulting in a drop in egg production

Gross lesions

Catarrhal to fibrino-purulent inflammation of the nasal passages and infra-orbital sinus and conjunctivae

As the disease becomes chronic or other pathogens become involved, the sinus exudates may become consolidated and turn yellowish

Subcutaneous edema of the face and wattles is prominent

The upper trachea may be involved, but the lungs and air sacs are only affected in chronic complicated cases

Prevention and control

1. Prevention of infection into the farm is the best control, which could be achieved by hygiene, sanitation, strict bio security and procurement of birds from disease free sources

2. Since recovered birds are reservoir of infection, such birds should be removed and culled from the flock

3. All – in – all- out rearing system is required for eradication of disease

4. Vaccination using inactivated whole culture of organisms containing an adjuvant can protect chickens against the disease

5. In endemic areas, two doses of vaccine, each of which must consist of at least 108 colony-forming units are advocated, given subcutaneously, the first at about 16 weeks of age. Another one is given at 20 weeks of age

6. After cleaning, disinfection and resting of the building for at least 1 week, new birds may be introduced

7. Only day-old chickens or older birds which are known to be free from H. Paragallinarum should be used for the restocking 

4. Infectious bronchitis (IB)

1. This is a highly infectious and contagious respiratory disease of chicks. Also affect the oviduct, and some strains have a tendency for the kidneys

2. Disease can occur at any stage, but young chicks, especially under 6 weeks of age are more susceptible

3. Great economic importance due to its adverse effect on egg production and egg quality in layers, and on production in broilers

4. Other pathogen such as Mycoplasma or E.coli increases the severity and duration of the disease

Causes

1. The virus belongs to corona group of virus

2. Virus is fragile in nature and gets destroyed by common physical and chemical agents

3. Infection is by inhalation of droplets, through ingestion of feed and water contaminated with virus and by contact with infected birds, contaminated movable equipment, clothing and personnel

4. Virus is present in respiratory discharges, faeces and eggshells of infected birds

5. This virus survives well outside the body during winter therefore, disease incidence and spread is more during winter than other seasons, though disease can occur in any season

6. Spreads very rapidly in the flock

7. Bird to bird by direct transmission

8. Transmission through eggs

9. Fomites also can transmit the disease

Symptoms

1. In young chicks up to 6 weeks of age, respiratory signs like sneezing, coughing, gasping, tracheal rales, lachrymation and nasal discharge are more common

2. The chicks will huddle under the hover

3. There may be swelling of sinuses and face

4. In chicks, mortality may as high as 25%-60% and the course of disease is 1-2 weeks

5. Respiratory noises can be heard more distinctly during night when chicks are normally quite

6. In growers and adult birds, signs of less intensity are seen with less occurrence of nasal discharge and mortality is negligible

7. In laying birds, egg production declines (5-50%) rapidly

8. Damage to functional oviduct in adults (most common)

9. Egg abnormalities (Production of misshapen, thin or soft –shelled, rough, smaller, corrugations and leathery eggs)

10. The egg quality is poor with thin or watery white albumin

11. In uraemic form, birds exhibit depression, ruffled feathers, wet droppings, increased water intake and increased mortality (0.5-1% per week) due to urolithiasis (Kidney stones)

Gross lesions

Serous, catarrhal, or caseous exudates in the trachea and bronchi lumen, generally without haemorrhages

Plugs of yellow caseous material obstructing the bronchi and lower parts of trachea of chicks that dies

Fluid yolk material may be found in the abdominal

Abnormal ovary having the misshapen follicle

Middle third of the oviduct may appear atrophied and ova ruptured into abdominal cavity

Swollen, pale kidneys and deposits of urates in kidney, ureters and throughout the body

Prevention and control

Strict hygiene management procedures and vaccination can prevent the disease

5. Gout disease

1. Gout is a not disease condition, but a clinical sings of severe kidney dysfunction

2. Characterized by presence of high level of uric acid in the blood

3. Deposition of urates on the surface of various internal organs or joints (especially hock joint)

4. Death is due to kidney failure

5. It is a main problem of laying hens fed high level of calcium

6. Two distinct forms are there visceral gout and articular gout

7. Articular-gout joints are much swollen, with deposition of masses of chalk-like material. Usually wing and leg joints are affected

8. Affected bird cannot move and so die of starvation

9. Articular gout occurs mostly in male birds but visceral gout occurs both in male and female

Gross lesions

Articular-gout tissue surrounding the joints is white due to urate deposition

In Visceral gout kidneys are swollen and congested and greyish white in color. Apart from kidney, chalk-like crystals are deposited on the serous membranes of various      internal organs like mesentery, peritoneum, heart, proventriculus and lungs

Urate deposition appears as a white chalky coating on organs

Causes

Kidney dysfunction leads to hyperuricaemia

Dehydration

Excessive dietary calcium or calcium: phosphorus imbalance

Vitamin A deficiency

Increased intake of protein

Intake of excessive amount of salt

Infection with infectious bronchitis virus in young chicken

Urolithiasis and mycotoxins

An electrolyte excess or deficiency

Prolonged treatment with sodium bicarbonate

Symptoms

Articular gout joints are much swollen, with deposition of masses of chalk-like material. Usually wing and leg joints are affected

Affected bird cannot move and so die of starvation

Articular gout occurs mostly in male birds but visceral gout occurs both in male and female

Prevention and control

1. Avoid feeding of high level of calcium in advance of sexual maturity

2. Reduce high level of protein.                 

3. Increase maize, and formulate the feed

4. Give plenty of water containing electrolytes


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Frequently ask questions

Q: What can I do to ensure there is no disease outbreak among my chickens?

A: Ensure that the chicken does not have a direct contact with their manures which has a nitrogenous substance that can be harmful to their health, then secondly pay attention to their health by checking their eat ability and mode of movement in other to when they start falling sick

Q: What are the necessary measures to manage a disease outbreak?

A: In other to manage a disease outbreak, the sick birds should be taken out from the other healthy chickens in other for them not to get infected 

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