Hi Everyone,
My Rooboy needs help. Yesterday I noticed that his comb was kind of cool and appeared darker at the extremities. The weather has been warm and wet. Today I noticed he did not get off his perch and when I took him down he refused his breakfast. He hobbled around a little but he has a past injury to his hip so he always walks a little odd.
After church this morning I came home to him sitting in a corner, laying down. He tries to lay down frequently and his breath smells absolutely fowl. It was too easy to catch him and he does not appear energetic, hasn't crowed for several days, and has cold extremeties. His eyes are bright and alert, there are no noises as he breaths, and no discharges from his head.
I've tried looking up his symptoms but this is all I can find. And it might not be the problem.
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Infectious bursal disease is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of young chickens. It is most often found in highly concentrated poultry producing areas. It causes marked morbidity and mortality in affected flocks. Although the disease causes severe losses, its affect on reducing the bird's ability to develop immunity to other diseases may be the most serious effect produced by this disease.
The transmission or spread of the disease can occur by direct contact (bird to bird), contaminated litter and feces, caretaker, contaminated air, equipment, feed, servicemen and possible insects and wild birds. It is extremely contagious.
Birds have ruffled feathers, a slight tremor at onset of the disease, strained defecation, loss of appetite and are dehydrated. Affected birds have a tendency to sit and when forced to move, have an unsteady gait. Vent picking is common and a whitish diarrhea frequently develops. A sudden rise in body temperature is followed by a drop to subnormal temperature, prostration and death. Birds surviving the initial infection will recover rapidly within two weeks.
Postmortem lesions include dehydration and changes in the bursa, skeletal muscle, liver and kidneys. All affected birds have bursal changes characterized by swelling, change in shape (oblong), color (pink, yellow, red, black) and the formation of a gelatinous film around the bursa. Within a few days the bursa shrinks to half its normal size or smaller.
Diagnosis of infectious bursal disease is based on flock history and postmortem lesions. Laboratory procedures may be used to substantiate the diagnosis.
Vaccines are available but must be carefully used. If given correctly, good immunity can be developed. There is no specific treatment for infectious bursal disease and indiscriminate medication with certain drugs may severely aggravate mortality. Supportive measures such as increasing heat, ventilation and water consumption are beneficial.
What could help my Rooboy? Are there any antibiotics I could pick up today or any general medications? Home remedies? I have him in a box in a dark corner of my house to protect the rest of the flock. Any help will be appreciated.
My Rooboy needs help. Yesterday I noticed that his comb was kind of cool and appeared darker at the extremities. The weather has been warm and wet. Today I noticed he did not get off his perch and when I took him down he refused his breakfast. He hobbled around a little but he has a past injury to his hip so he always walks a little odd.
After church this morning I came home to him sitting in a corner, laying down. He tries to lay down frequently and his breath smells absolutely fowl. It was too easy to catch him and he does not appear energetic, hasn't crowed for several days, and has cold extremeties. His eyes are bright and alert, there are no noises as he breaths, and no discharges from his head.
I've tried looking up his symptoms but this is all I can find. And it might not be the problem.
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Infectious bursal disease is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of young chickens. It is most often found in highly concentrated poultry producing areas. It causes marked morbidity and mortality in affected flocks. Although the disease causes severe losses, its affect on reducing the bird's ability to develop immunity to other diseases may be the most serious effect produced by this disease.
The transmission or spread of the disease can occur by direct contact (bird to bird), contaminated litter and feces, caretaker, contaminated air, equipment, feed, servicemen and possible insects and wild birds. It is extremely contagious.
Birds have ruffled feathers, a slight tremor at onset of the disease, strained defecation, loss of appetite and are dehydrated. Affected birds have a tendency to sit and when forced to move, have an unsteady gait. Vent picking is common and a whitish diarrhea frequently develops. A sudden rise in body temperature is followed by a drop to subnormal temperature, prostration and death. Birds surviving the initial infection will recover rapidly within two weeks.
Postmortem lesions include dehydration and changes in the bursa, skeletal muscle, liver and kidneys. All affected birds have bursal changes characterized by swelling, change in shape (oblong), color (pink, yellow, red, black) and the formation of a gelatinous film around the bursa. Within a few days the bursa shrinks to half its normal size or smaller.
Diagnosis of infectious bursal disease is based on flock history and postmortem lesions. Laboratory procedures may be used to substantiate the diagnosis.
Vaccines are available but must be carefully used. If given correctly, good immunity can be developed. There is no specific treatment for infectious bursal disease and indiscriminate medication with certain drugs may severely aggravate mortality. Supportive measures such as increasing heat, ventilation and water consumption are beneficial.
What could help my Rooboy? Are there any antibiotics I could pick up today or any general medications? Home remedies? I have him in a box in a dark corner of my house to protect the rest of the flock. Any help will be appreciated.
