Most poultry producers must be able to treat any health issues that happen in a poultry flock because there are few veterinarians who treat poultry. Most poultry diseases can be prevented by good management and sanitation in the space poultry occupy. Have dry litter, fresh dry food, clean fresh water, good ventilation, and a healthy diet. Understanding the causes of disease will help prevent problems.

Diseases are divided into infectious and non-infectious. Infectious are those that can be spread from one bird to another. Non-infectious are not transmitted from bird to bird but are a result of environmental conditions such as inadequate nutrition, injury, stress, or chemical poisons. It’s important to identify the cause and remove it.

Infectious Diseases

Causative organisms generally must be viewed by a microscope. They attack healthy cells causing diseases. There are four groups: bacteria, viruses, parasites, and protozoa. They all like moisture, shade, cool conditions and are introduced by manure or other body secretions from infected flocks or birds. Minimize exposure where possible by following sanitation practices of handling manure, cleaning equipment as needed, clean clothes and boots if exposed to infected birds, and be cautious on returning birds into a flock from shows or auctions.

Respiratory disease symptoms include watery eyes, eyes swelled, nasal discharges, changes in sound, or open- mouth breathing. Treatment with an antibiotic should be considered as these tend to spread. Isolating birds will help. Tend to healthy birds before entering infected bird areas.

Intestinal disease results normally in changes in fecal droppings-amount, consistency, or appearance. Birds will not eat or drink as much as they usually do with intestinal diseases and water lost through the feces can result in dehydration of birds. Electrolytes and vitamins in drinking water can be used to help hydrate them. With intestinal diseases, if antibiotics are used consider after treatment is completed using probiotics to help stimulate the good bacteria in the intestine.

The presence of blood in the fecal droppings indicates Coccidia. This could be viral or protozoal infection. Coccidia reduces the ability of poultry to absorb nutrients. It is common in poultry and almost impossible to eradicate from your property once established. Control of the conditions the flock is in is the best approach. Keep coops clean and dry, have sunlight exposure and rotate areas. Some feeds have coccidiostats to prevent severe infections.

Lack of coordination is often a symptom of brain diseases. Birds with this generally do not recover. All that can be done is provide a safe environment and access to feed and water.

Non-Infectious Diseases

These diseases are caused by some type of environmental condition birds are exposed to. These can be caused by nutritional deficiency or excess, toxins in environment or feed, traumatic event, or age related. Some are preventable and some are not. Select a commercially available feed that will assure your birds have a well-balanced diet. Sometimes toxins are in the areas the birds are in. Look for anything that could be a source. Remove anything that is not feed, water, pasture, or grass for grazing. Control or remove anything that could cause bodily injury to birds including predators. Investigate injuries to try and determine the cause and remove them from birds’ pen space. If the injury is not too severe birds can generally recover with some care.

Parasites

Of the organisms that infect birds, parasites are the only ones that can be seen by the naked eye. They can live inside the bird or outside on the skin, shanks, and feathers. Internal parasites can be visible in fecal droppings in the adult stage. Sometimes there might be loose stools with or without blood. These require either oral treatments or an injection. Treat birds twice to break the cycle of eggs and adults. This treatment interval should be 2 to 3 weeks apart. Check with your local farm supply for availability of products to use and follow label direction and any withdrawal period for eating eggs or meat from treated birds. To prevent reinfestation, clean the occupied spaces of birds and allow plenty of sunlight and air movement. If possible, consider a new location for birds for a time.

External parasites will be irritating to the birds. You will see feather loss, red irritated skin, or scabs on the skin. You may see mites on shanks that appear white and powdery. Medicated dust baths of insecticide powder or diatomaceous earth should control mites. As always, follow any withdrawal periods. Birds with parasites will have reduced egg production, lower meat quality and if infection is very severe, they could die.

Tender Loving Care (TLC) can go a long way with all sick birds. Be sure to isolate sick birds away from others to prevent infection spread and to prevent healthy birds from pecking on the sick birds that are trying to recover. Be sure sick birds have plenty of fresh food and fresh water. Sick birds need to be kept well hydrated. Disease prevention is the best approach. Keeping your coop and pen areas clean, dry, and sunny helps prevent diseases. Another is vaccinations if available. If purchasing day old chicks have them vaccinated for Mareks and Newcastle disease if offered by the hatchery. Good sanitation and a dry environment will help prevent and control internal parasites while most external parasites may require treatment.