A-Z of chicken diseases

[Squawkers]

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.

Thanks!

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

8. Amyloidosis
This is a fatal, progressive disorder caused by the build up of an abnormal protein (amyloid) within cells of various tissues and organs. It occurs most commonly in the liver, spleen, intestine and kidney.
Birds are most commonly affected by the inflammation type: AA amyloidosis. Brown egg laying hens are susceptible to amyloid atrophy as a result of E. faecalis, M. Synoviea, E. coli, Salmonella enteridis and Staphylococcus aureus being associated with amyloidosis.

Symptoms:
Loss in appetite, not moulting, poor feather quality, weight loss, swollen joints, inability to stand, distended abdomen, flaccid paralysis, lethargy, reduced egg quality. Most of these are non-specific.

Treatment:
Once deposition of amyloid into the cells has started, it is irreversible. The incidence and severity of amyloidosis can be reduced with methylprednisone. This inhibits fibrillogenesis by reducing macrophage and heterophil infiltration. Birds should not recieve any supplemental vitamin A.

Prevention:
Prevention of any chronic inflammatory diseases such as bumblefoot, gout, arthritis, aspergillosis.
Don't administer more than one vaccine in one setting

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

9. Anemia
Anemia develops when the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or when the chicken is experiencing blood loss. Blood loss anemia can be as a result of internal or external trauma or as a result of mites or ticks feeding on their blood. Hemolytic anemia is when red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the blood before their normal lifespan is up. A number of conditions can cause this. Depression anemia is caused by chronic infections or a toxic or nutritional disease.

Symptoms:
Weakness, pale comb and wattles, lethargy, dullness and changes in feather colour.

Prevention:
Regularly check for mites and ticks and feed high quality food.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

10. Anophtalmia
This is when a chick is born without eyes. It is a rare birth defect, and can be caused by toxin exposure when incubating or breeding parents. A rudiment of ocular tissue may remain, resulting in a weeping sinus.

Preventions:
Prevent exposure to toxins.

Treatment:
Supportive care for blindness.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

11. Arizonosis
This is a septicemic disease ( blood poisoning) primarily of young chicks, caused by Salmonella enterica, subspecies s. Arizonae.
S. Arizonae can elaborate endotoxins, resulting in inflammation of organs, most notably in the yolk sac, brain, eye, ceca and blood stream. It is mostly transmitted by eggs, but can be transmitted by rodents, wild birds and reptiles.

Symptoms:
Listlessness, blindness, depression, weakness, convulsions, leg paralysis, twisted neck, loss of appetite, huddling, blindness and diarrhoea.

Treatment:
Fermenting food has been shown to help chickens become less susceptible to salmonella.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

12. Arthritis
Arthritis is an orthopaedic condition involving joint inflammation, causing pain, joint damage and loss of joint function. It can be caused by infection, trauma, degenerative changes or metabolic disorders. Articular gout is a common form in chickens.

Symptoms:
Lameness, decreased movement, not putting weight on affected foot, stiffness, reluctance to move, swollen joints, weight loss, lethargy. Increased age and previous injuries are risk factors for Arthritis.

There is not treatment.

Prevention:
Provide a balanced diet and maintain a clean enviroment.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

BYC stopped working for ages so i've got a lot to catch up on!

13. Ascites syndrome (water belly)
This occurs as a result of heart failure and valvular insufficiency. It occurs commonly in broiler chickens and is the most common form of mortality. This is due to the increased growth rate of broiler chickens- their internal organs cannot keep up with the increased metabolic demand from their bodies, especially during rapid juvenile growth. A higher oxygen demand exceeds the capacity of their respiratory and cardiovascular systems , triggering events leading to heart failure. It most commonly occurs in young, male Cornish breeds. It can cause a swollen liver

Symptoms:
Abdominal fluids analysis: fluid is usually clear but can be cloudy with fibrin clots
Difficult breathing, lethargy, cyanosis, abdominal distension.

Prevention:
Modify diet to decrease growth, minimise stress, limit altitude to below 1500m, minimise exposure to excessive heat or cold.

 

[Squawkers]

BYC stopped working for ages so i've got a lot to catch up on!

You do

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

14. Aspergillosis
This is a non contagious, opportunistic fungi caused by aspergillus spores. A. Fumigatus is the most common, followed by A. Flavus. They are ubiquitous in their hanitat, growing particularly in warm, damp places. It can present itself in two forms:

Acute aspergillosis:
Often referred to as brooder pneumonia, it commonly occurs in chicks
Chronic aspergillosis:
Occurs in adults with weak immune systems

There are several manifestations, however the most common in chickens is pulmonary aspergillosis, manifesting as a respiratory disease.

Transmission:
Aspergillus spores are found in dust particles. If a bird inhales sed dust this can cause disease. The spores may remain dormant until a stressful event or illness occurs.

Symptoms:
Change in voice pitch; less crowing; increased thirst; tail bobbing; depression; green irates in droppings; respiratory abnormalities; enlarged nares; decreased appetite; cloudy cornea; torticollis; eye discharge; conjunctival yellow exudates; blepharospasm (eyelid twitching).

Treatment:
Treatment is difficult and lengthy, generally consisting of 4 to 6 months, administration of antifungals and modification of the environment

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

15. Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis refers to the bild up of plaque in chickens arteries. The plaque is made up of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin. As the plaque builds up, blood flow is reduced. The aorta is the most frequently affected site. Vascular occlusion, rupture or thrombosis.

Poor diet: High cholesterol, low polyunsaturated fats and high in saturated fats
Viral induced: Infection with Mareks disease is known to cause Atherosclerosis-like lesions in the arteries

Symptoms:
Behavioural changes, decreased appetite, weight loss, muscle wasting, exercise intolerance, lethargy, darkening of the comb, weakness, falling of perch, disorientation, ataxia, ascites, progressive paresis and death.

Prevention:
Feed a low cholesterol diet with omega-3 fatty acids.
Vaccinate for Mareks disease (and quarantine new birds)
Encourage exercise
Do not feed table scraps
Heavier breeds, or obese birds are more at risk.