A-Z of chicken diseases

[OrpingtonManiac]

Thank you for your reply. Looking forward to your other entries. Every opportunity to learn is a good opportunity.

Thank you

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

5. Algae poisoning
Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins that, if eaten in large amounts, can be deadly to chickens. The algae is likely to grow rapidly in stagnant, warm water sources in direct sunlight. The algae may appear as ‘scum’ below the water, giving it a blueish tinge. It is spread by water. Cyanobacteria can produce toxins: Hepatotoxins- affect the liver, causing organ damage and Neurotoxins- target the nervous system.

Symptoms of hepatotoxins:
Bloody, dark droppings, diarrhea, pale comb, lethargy, weakness and loss of appetite. Symptoms appear quickly or over several days

Symptoms of neurotoxins:
Muscle tremors, paralysis, seizures and a purple comb.
Symptoms appear within 30-60 minutes after ingestion, and death within minutes to hours after exposure.

Treatment:
If caught before signs occur, Activated charcoal may absorb the toxins.

Prevention:
Change waterers often, prevent access to stagnant ponds, position waterers in shaded areas, purchase waterers which prevent birds defecating in them, provide fresh water sources.
If treating wateres with an algaecide, prevent birds from accessing for at least a week

 

[Bawkbok]

5. Algae poisoning
Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins that, if eaten in large amounts, can be deadly to chickens. The algae is likely to grow rapidly in stagnant, warm water sources in direct sunlight. The algae may appear as ‘scum’ below the water, giving it a blueish tinge. It is spread by water. Cyanobacteria can produce toxins: Hepatotoxins- affect the liver, causing organ damage and Neurotoxins- target the nervous system.

Symptoms of hepatotoxins:
Bloody, dark droppings, diarrhea, pale comb, lethargy, weakness and loss of appetite. Symptoms appear quickly or over several days

Symptoms of neurotoxins:
Muscle tremors, paralysis, seizures and a purple comb.
Symptoms appear within 30-60 minutes after ingestion, and death within minutes to hours after exposure.

Treatment:
If caught before signs occur, Activated charcoal may absorb the toxins.

Prevention:
Change waterers often, prevent access to stagnant ponds, position waterers in shaded areas, purchase waterers which prevent birds defecating in them, provide fresh water sources.
If treating wateres with an algaecide, prevent birds from accessing for at least a week

Question - you may not know the answer to this, but is the green goo that accumulates on a white vinyl fence algae poisoning as well? They love to peck at it while scratching for bugs along the bottom edge. No one seems sick but our Comet is particularly taken with it. Thanks

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Question - you may not know the answer to this, but is the green goo that accumulates on a white vinyl fence algae poisoning as well? They love to peck at it while scratching for bugs along the bottom edge. No one seems sick but our Comet is particularly taken with it. Thanks

Im not sure, but, from what i've read, symptoms appear pretty quickly. So, if your chickens don't seem sick, it probably isn't algae poisoning from cyanobacteria.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

6. Ametapodia
This is an inherited bone disorder characterised by abnormal limb development. It occurs as a result of a mutation in certain strains of light brown leghorns. The disorder is autosomal recessive and is inherited. Affected birds usually die within 2-4 days after hatching. Severely hypoplastic development of the metacarpals is also present

Symptoms:
Absence of tarsometatarsus (bone found in the lower leg)
Significantly shortened wings.

There is no treatment.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

7. Ammonia toxicity
This is an inflammatory eye condition in chickens caused by prolonged exposure to ammonia fumes. Ammonia fumes above 25ppm are toxic to chickens.
Young, growing chicks are more susceptible. Ammonia is released by, among other things, manure. Chickens in indoor spaces, with low ventilation, are susceptible. The ammonia concentrations are affected by: type of bedding used; humidity level; surface area of manure; ventilation rate; manure handling; the ph of the manure; the number of chickens.

Symptoms:
The main symptom is conjunctivitis, crusty eyes, swollen eyelids, grey and cloudy cornea, reddened eyes, sensitivity to light, blindness.

Prevention:
Ensure proper ventilation. Do not overcrowd birds and provide dry, clean bedding which is regularly changed.

 

[Squawkers]

type of bedding used

What types are you referring too?

 

[Bawkbok]

7. Ammonia toxicity
This is an inflammatory eye condition in chickens caused by prolonged exposure to ammonia fumes. Ammonia fumes above 25ppm are toxic to chickens.
Young, growing chicks are more susceptible. Ammonia is released by, among other things, manure. Chickens in indoor spaces, with low ventilation, are susceptible. The ammonia concentrations are affected by: type of bedding used; humidity level; surface area of manure; ventilation rate; manure handling; the ph of the manure; the number of chickens.

Symptoms:
The main symptom is conjunctivitis, crusty eyes, swollen eyelids, grey and cloudy cornea, reddened eyes, sensitivity to light, blindness.

Prevention:
Ensure proper ventilation. Do not overcrowd birds and provide dry, clean bedding which is regularly changed.

humidity level - what percentage of humidity and for how long: i.e. living in an extensively humid region of the country for prolonged months of the year - how does this affect the concentrations over a 10 hour period of roost time in a "low ventilation" space?

Can you expand on the surface area of manure? Ground? Wood? Plastic? Pine (in any form)?

Thank you

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

What types are you referring too?

Sand and vermiculite ( litter) are the worst, whereas wood shavings and rice hulls are better. Basically, Organic beddings produce less ammonia compared to inorganic materials.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

humidity level - what percentage of humidity and for how long: i.e. living in an extensively humid region of the country for prolonged months of the year - how does this affect the concentrations over a 10 hour period of roost time in a "low ventilation" space?

To answer your last question first, Ammonia volatilisation is more likely to take place in humid conditions. Ammonia volatilisation is when some forms of nitrogen ( in this case urea) is changed into ammonia.
This study explains how the increase in moisture levels increases ammonia levels (and includes humidity measurements): https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien...nd vermiculite litters generated,–2.6 mg of N).

Thanks for your questions!