A-Z of chicken diseases

[OrpingtonManiac]

28. Femoral head necrosis
Bacterial Chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a bacterial infection of the growth plates of the leg bones of Cornish cross chickens (commercial broilers). it occurs as a result of opportunistic bacteria being translocated across the intestinal and respiratory epithelial barriers. Onset of lameness is attributed to osteomyelitis within the physis and metaphysis of rapidly growing proximal tibiae. Osteomyelitis is a common form of Staphylococcal infections within birds. Rapid weight gain cannot be supported without equally dramatic increases in the size and structural integrity of the skeleton

Symptoms:
Lameness, Reluctance or inability to walk/stand

Prevention:
Administer probiotics
Maintain a flat environment
Encourage Exercise

Risk factors:
Rapid growth
Prolonged sitting/inactivity
Use of wired flooring

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

29. Baylisascariasis
This is a zoonotic infection caused by the larvae of the racoon roundworm, found in racoons and dogs.
In racoons, adult worms live in the small intestine, the eggs passed in the faeces. Under ideal conditions, it takes approximately 2 weeks for the first-stage larvae to form. Females can lay 115-179000 eggs per day per racoon. Chickens become infected by ingesting the eggs. Once inside the chicken, the larvae are released, which penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate through the bloodstream to reach other organs, including the CNS and eye. They settle, and become encapsulated in granulomas in the organs.

Symptoms:
Wry neck, ataxia, seizures, paresis to paralysis, circling, tremors, blindness, difficulty perching

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

30. Beak deformities
Parrot beak (mandibular prognathism) is a condition in which a chickens lower beak is excessively short, or the upper side is too long.
Crossed beak (lateral beak deviation) is when the top and bottom portions of the beak are not aligned correctly.
Beak deformities often occur due to genetic abnormalities, passed on from the breeding parents to the chick. Often, the chicks cannot complete the hatching process, so will die in the egg.

Prevention!
Feed a balanced, nutritious diet
Reduce risk of beak injury
If using an incubator, ensure the temperature is correct and doesn’t fluctuate.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

31. Beak injuries
Usually the tip of the maxilla (the top portion) overlaps the mandible. Beak injuries are common in bacyard chickens, especially roosters. Since the beak is lined with nerve endings, beak injuries -which vary from mild indentations to partial loss of the beak- are extremely painfull. Beak injuries often occur during fights with others, predator attacks, or getting the beak stuck in wire.

Treatment:
When the damage is confined to the hard outer layer of the beak, eg cracks, the bird will often recover. Once the cracked section has fallen off, the layer underneath will harden in 1-3 weeks.
Cleaning the beak, offering softened foods and occasionally giving antibiotics and pain medication will
help healing.

Severe beak injuries, such as partial or complete amputation require stronger pain medication (prescribed by a vet), antibiotics, tube feeding and, occasionally, surgery. The chicken should be seen by a vet. Partial reconstruction may be possible.

Vetericyn or Theracyn can be given to prevent/limit further infection

 

[Dodylee]

31. Beak injuries
Usually the tip of the maxilla (the top portion) overlaps the mandible. Beak injuries are common in bacyard chickens, especially roosters. Since the beak is lined with nerve endings, beak injuries -which vary from mild indentations to partial loss of the beak- are extremely painfull. Beak injuries often occur during fights with others, predator attacks, or getting the beak stuck in wire.

Treatment:
When the damage is confined to the hard outer layer of the beak, eg cracks, the bird will often recover. Once the cracked section has fallen off, the layer underneath will harden in 1-3 weeks.
Cleaning the beak, offering softened foods and occasionally giving antibiotics and pain medication will
help healing.

Severe beak injuries, such as partial or complete amputation require stronger pain medication (prescribed by a vet), antibiotics, tube feeding and, occasionally, surgery. The chicken should be seen by a vet. Partial reconstruction may be possible.

Vetericyn or Theracyn can be given to prevent/limit further infection

Thx for this thread! Very helpful for me, a newbie. My Buffy had a crack at the end of top and it chipped off yesterday. It appears to be just the tip & didn't extend into the nerve/vessels is my understanding. She's still pecking at everything. I did get a deep dish of h20 for her because I think the side nipple waterer isn't accessible for her. I have her separated now in house. Will it grow back do you think? And how long does it take?

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Thx for this thread! Very helpful for me, a newbie. My Buffy had a crack at the end of top and it chipped off yesterday. It appears to be just the tip & didn't extend into the nerve/vessels is my understanding. She's still pecking at everything. I did get a deep dish of h20 for her because I think the side nipple waterer isn't accessible for her. I have her separated now in house. Will it grow back do you think? And how long does it take

It's a good sign that she is still pecking at stuff.
I agree, a side nipple waterer would be difficult for her to drink from.
If only a small amount was chipped off, it should grow back, though it could take anywhere from a few weeks to months.
Hope she gets better soon!

 

[Dodylee]

It's a good sign that she is still pecking at stuff.
I agree, a side nipple waterer would be difficult for her to drink from.
If only a small amount was chipped off, it should grow back, though it could take anywhere from a few weeks to months.
Hope she gets better soon!

Thank you so much!

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

32. Bedbug infestation
These are mainly nocturnal, and hide in cracks, crevices, and nest-boxes during the day. They feed on the bird for 5-10 minutes, and take 3-7 days. One female can lay 540 eggs, which take 3-12 daysto hatch. When disturbed, they leave a foul odour. They are becoming increasingly resistant to many pesticides.

Symptoms:
Pale comb, weakness, irritable behaviour, feather loss, vent irritation, lesions on breast and legs, decreased egg production, increased feed consumption

Prevention:
Biosecurity measures
Regularly clean and disinfect coop and nest-boxes
Seal off any cracks or crevices

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

33. Biotin deficiency
Vitamin B7 is an essential, water-soluble vitamin. Bacteria in the intestines can make Biotin. It is needed for normal function of the thyroid and adrenal glands, the reproductive tracts, and the nervous system. It is active in skin formation and maintenance. It is found in brewers yeast, cooked eggs, milk, vegetables and oil seeds. Toxicity cases are rare

Symptoms:
Dry, flaky skin; lesions along the corners of the beak and bottom of the feet; perosis; twisted leg deformity; delayed wound healing

Prevention:
Keep food in dry, well-ventilated storage for short-periods
Don't feed raw egg whites to chickens
Chickens fed with a wheat-bases diet are more at risk of biotin deficiency.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

34. Blackhead (Histomonosis)
This is caused by the anaerobic protozoan parasite, histomonas meleagridis. Transmission primarily occurs via ingestion of the eggs of the cecal worm, or by ingesting earthworms which have consumed the cecal worm. These eggs can remain in the soil for 2-3 years. Turkeys are particularly susceptible to the disease. Disease occurs when H. Meleagridis penetrates the cecal wall, multiply, enter the bloodstream, then parasitise the liver. Signs occur around 11 days post infection. Lesions are observed in the liver and ceca. Cecal walls become thickened and hyperemic. Peritonitis may occur.

Symptoms:
Sulphur yellow droppings; increased drinking; loss of appetite; dull, ruffled feathers; lethargy; dull and shrunken comb (anemia)

Prevention:
Practise good sanitation; remove faeces promptly
Do not allow chickens access to areas where wild turkeys roam
Regularly de-worm chickens.