Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A wheezing, gasping bird standing with its mouth open indicates laryngotracheitis.
I have experimented with several methods for controlling the disease once it hits and
have had fairly good results when increasing a flock's vitamin and electrolyte levels to
twice the recommended dosage listed on the packages. I add these extra supplements in
the flock's water for about a week, then follow that regimen with two to three days of
1½ times the recommended dosage for oxytetracycline.
This wait-and-see method is not a fail-safe cure-all; however, once deciding not to
vaccinate, I've experienced higher survival rates with this program than I have with no
treatment at all. The antibiotic seems to help when secondary bacterial infections have
moved in because the birds are in a weakened state from the laryngo.
Crisis Vaccination
If an outbreak occurs, and you decide to vaccinate immediately, keep in mind that the
vaccine will impact many birds in the flock. Those that have yet to be exposed will be-
nefit from the vaccine, and those that are already exposed will not benefit, and some will
die since they received the vaccine too late. A few days of high doses of electrolytes and
an antibiotic should follow up the vaccine to rejuvenate survivors.
Marek's
Marek's disease is increasingly common, and more and more chicken hatcheries are
vaccinating for the virus. Unfortunately, the disease seems to be spreading despite the
vaccine. Marek's is a herpes virus that can take one of four forms in the bird: cutaneous,
neural, ocular or visceral. The organism is so widespread that most likely every bird has
been exposed.
