Clostridium botulinum, bacteria that commonly live in the intestines of chickens are not themselves pathogenic. When they multiply in the carcasses of dead animals-enviroments that lack oxygen-they generate some of the world's most potent toxins. Botulism is therefore a poisoning rather than an infection.Birds become poisoned after pecking at rotting organic matter or drinking contaminated water.
A poisoned bird gradually becomes paralyzed from the feet up.Initially the bird sits around or limps if you make it move. As paralysis progresses through its body,its wings droop and its neck goes limp. If you pick up an affected bird,it will hang loosely in your hands.
A typical indication of botulism poisoning is finding healthy chickens, sick chickens, and dead chickens together in the same yard. A chicken that survives for 48 hours has not consumes a deadly dose and is likely to recover. Of course, the first thing you should do is identify and remove the source of the toxin.
If a bird isn't too far gone,you might bring it around by squirting cool water and a molasses or epsom salt solution into its crop. Treatment with na antibiotic such as bacitracin or chlortetracycline, along with a supplement of selenium and vitamins A, D and E, may be helpful. Treatment with an antitoxin (available from a vet) may be effective if administered in time; type C botulism is the toxin most commonly found in poultry. Botulism is easily avoided through good sanitation.
