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Healthy Chicks, Nutritious feeds…
BIYINZIKA POULTRY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED’S GUIDE TO MAIN POULTRY DISEASES SYPTOMS&
TREATMENT
NEWCASTLE DISEASE
It’s a highly contagious disease in many poultry birds in domestic, exotic, & wild birds .Its transmitted by
a highly contagious virus and spreads in droppings, nasal discharge, via direct contact through the air or
contaminated items such as bottoms of shoes, infected feeders, drinker and cages. The virus can also
penetrate egg shells that come in contact with infected tissue or feeds.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS
Twisting of the head & neck, sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, greenish watery diarrhea, depression,
muscular Tremors, drooping wings, complete paralysis, swelling of tissues around eyes and neck, drop in
egg production for layers and sudden death.
CONTROL
1. Permit only essential workers and vehicles on premises
2. Provide clean clothing and disinfection facilities for employees.
3. Clean and disinfect vehicles (including tires) entering and leaving the premises.
4. Avoid visiting other poultry operations.
5. Maintain an “all-in and all-out” philosophy of flock management with a single age flock
6. Clean and disinfect poultry houses between each lot of birds.
7. Adhere to the vaccination program provided.
PREVENTION / TREATMENT
No specific treatment is available, but Antibiotic medication may be indicated if secondary infections
occur. However the there are various ways to prevent the disease as shown above.
INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS
Infectious bronchitis is caused by a virus. The virus dies quickly outside of the host but can spread
through the air and can travel considerable distances during an active outbreak. It spreads through
clothing, feeders, drinkers etc. The virus doesn’t survive much more than a week in the house when
poultry isn't present.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS
Consumption of food and water declines; Sick chicks chirp and have watery discharge from the eyes and
nostrils. Chicks have labored breathing and might gasp. Breathing noises are noticeable at night while
the chicks are resting. Egg production among laying hens drops. (Production should recover in 5-6
weeks) but it will remain lower than the previous levels. The virus can infect different parts of the body
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Healthy Chicks, Nutritious feeds…
including the reproductive System. When a hen’s reproductive system is infected, the shells of the hen’s
eggs can become rough and misshapen and the egg whites can become watery. In Broilers you may
notice ruffled feathers and wet droppings.
TREATMENT/PREVENTION
There is no specific treatment for the disease but administering antibiotics for 3-5 days may aid in
fighting off any secondary bacterial infections. For brooding chicks, it’s helpful to raise the room
temperatures to 500F until the Symptoms go away. An effective insecurity program is the best method
of preventing as well as vaccination.
GUMBORO DISEASE (INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE)
Infectious bursal disease (IBD, Gumboro) is an acute, highly contagious viral infection. Clinically the
disease is seen only in chickens older than 3 weeks. The feathers around the vent are usually stained
with faeces containing plenty of urates.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS
The period of most apparent clinical symptoms and high death rate is at the age of 3 - 6 weeks.
Gumboro could however be observed as long as chickens have a functioning bursa (up to the age of 16
weeks). In chickens younger than 3 weeks, Gumboro may not be noticeable easily, but injured bursa
leads to immunosuppression.Infected birds are depressed, have ruffled feathers in the region of the
head and the neck, droopy appearance and may be seen pecking at the vent. The rate of incidence of a
disease and mortality begins 3 days post infection, peaks and recedes in a period of 5 -7 days.
The more common scenario is mortality of 10 – 20%.In the field situation the mortality in layers is
generally higher than in broilers. Birds that die are usually dehydrated (causing kidney
lesions).Frequently severe loss of blood is present in the thigh and pectoral muscles.
PREVENTION / TREATMENT
No specific treatment is available. Use of a multivitamin supplement and facilitating access to water may
help. Antibiotic medication may be indicated if secondary bacterial infection occurs. However the there
are various ways to prevent the disease such as Vaccination and bio security.
MAREKS DISEASE
Is caused by a virus and the onset is between 8-20 weeks. It affects ONLY layers. It is spread by direct
contact with sick chickens and contaminated environments. It also affects birds which are not properly
vaccinated.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS
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Paralysis, swollen feather follicles, blindness or grey eyes.
ECOLI
Is a secondary infection that is usually spread by houseflies, and it is got from dirty environments, and
contaminated water.
PREVENTION / TREATMENT
Maintain cleanliness at the farm, clean all the surroundings, poultry equipment, avoid wet litter.
Treatment includes antibiotics such as tetracycline.
SALMONELLA
Is a secondary infection that is usually spread by rats
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