Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
in some instances of flock infection, the mortality rate can be quite high. If wet pox hits
birds before they're full grown, your losses can be high.
Laryngotracheitis
Sometimes called showman's disease, laryngotracheitis is a common viral disease that
tends to spread in the fall from poultry show to poultry show. It is similar to whooping
cough in humans as the virus affects the trachea. The main victims of laryngotracheitis
are chickens, but it is also found in pheasants.
Symptoms
You'll know the virus has come to visit when you hear a long, choking cough combined
with a wheezing noise. The bird will be standing there with its mouth open. These
sounds are the birds struggling to get air. You can get a long distance away and still be
able to hear them. Unfortunately, once the birds have reached this stage, it's unlikely
you will be able to save them.
Sick birds cough up blood. If you examine the walls of your pen and see bloodlike
spots, this is another clear indication of laryngotracheitis.
Some chicken and pheasant breeds will die almost instantly by suffocating. Your
flock may be nearly wiped out, with up to 90 percent of the stock lost. Other breeds will
fight off the disease and survive; they'll cough, gag, and wheeze for a few days and then
walk away without any other symptoms.
An autopsy reveals if laryngotracheitis is the culprit; blood can be found in the
trachea where the virus has taken up residence.
Maintenance
Vaccinate for laryngotracheitis at an early age, and then revaccinate as the birds become
adults to prevent an outbreak. It frequently hits in the fall, affecting birds of all ages. If
it's not a problem in your area, however, I don't recommend vaccinating for this virus.
You do not want to vaccinate birds and bring this live virus vaccine onto your farm un-
less it is already an ailment you have to deal with. In fact, certain states, such as Texas,
won't let in vaccinated birds. It's thought that they may be carriers. Viruses, we're find-
ing, are tricky little creatures that we are constantly learning more about.
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