Poultry Diseases: symptoms and control

Agriculture is a very essential sector that man can't do without cos it provides the three essential needs of man which are food, clothing and shelter.

Poultry is a collection name for all domestic birds that can be raised in a confined space by man for meat and eggs. They include fowl, turkey, quail, duck e.t.c.

We will be looking at some diseases that affect majorily fowls and other poultry birds, their symptoms and control.

A. Newcastle Diseases (Virus)
Symptoms:
Coughing, sneezing, nervousness, green coloured diarrhea, dullness and gasping, dropping wings, dragging legs, swelling and twisting of head, circling, depression, paralysis, egg change in color and shape.

Control
Lasota is a potent vaccine.

B. Avian Influenza also known as bird flu (Virus)
Symptoms:
Diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, sudden death, low productivity, swelling of head, eyes and combs, anorexia and purple coloration of the head region.

Control

• Reduce or restrict visitors into the poultry pen.
• High Sanitation
• Proper baling of poultry and poultry products before eating
  _ Prompt medical attention.

C. Gumboro Disease (Infectious Bursa Disease IBD) (Virus)

Symptoms:

• Vent picking
• Prostration
• Enlargement of the birds region
• Death

Control
Gumboro vaccination through eye drop and drinking water is recommended for treatment and continues usually after 10days of age of day old chicks.

D. Pullorum Disease (Bacillary White Diarrhea, BWD) caused by a Bacteria called Salmonella pullorum and it's usually transmitted through hatched eggs.

Symptoms:
Droopy appearance, ruffled feathers, staggering, chirping, chalky droppings.

Control
Antibiotics such as Ampicillin, good hygiene, non-contaminated feeds and drinking water could prevent the disease.

E. Fowl Typhoid (Bacteria - Salmonella gallinarium)

Symptoms
Anorexia, yellow-green diarrhea, droppy feathers, closed eyes, weight loss, dark red wattle and comb and death.

Control
Sulphadimidine, tetracycline, neomycin, amoxyl.

F. Coccidiosis ( Coccidian protozoa called Eimeria app)

Symptoms
Blood stained faecal material, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, oozing of fluid from mouth, retarded growth, high fever, loss of appetite, general weakness, droopy feathers and closed eyes.

Control
Using anti-coccidiats such as embazine forte, pantacox, amcox, amprolium, coccifor. Drugs should be administered in water.

We have come to end of today's class.

I hope you learnt a lot today...
Looking forward to seeing you in our next class.

Picture from eFowl.com