Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
injections. Keep the foot clean, and keep the chicken on deep, soft, bedding. This is not conta-
gious for other birds, but it may cause impetigo or skin infection in humans.
Cage layer fatigue:
Cage layer fatigue is a nutritional disease in chickens and other poultry
when their legs becoming bowed or the bones become soft. This is often associated with os-
teoporosis and usually is observed in egg-laying hens. It is caused by a deficiency of calcium,
vitamin D, or phosphorous. Prevention is the key. Providing your flock with nutrient-rich feed
will help to keep them healthy.
Campylobacteriosis, also known as liver disease:
This disease affects the intestines. It is
chronic and spreads slowly. Symptoms include watery diarrhea; scaly, shrunken comb; weight
loss; and death of apparently healthy birds. There is no known treatment at this time, so pre-
vention will be key to keeping your flock safe. Keep the coop clean, isolate sick birds from
your flock, do not mix birds from different sources, and keep rodents out because they carry
disease.
Cholera, acute:
This is a curious disease with no known cure. Birds die suddenly, and it
spreads rapidly. Symptoms include fever, increased thirst, mucous discharge from the nose
and mouth, bluish comb and wattles, and diarrhea. Prevent this disease by avoiding already
mature birds that you do not know the health history of, keeping the coop clean, not mixing
birds from different sources, and providing good nutrition. This can occur in birds of any age,
but if you purchase a mature bird, you do not know if it may be a carrier of the disease. If you
identify this disease, you still have time to save the uninfected flock. A chronic form of chol-
era is rare in chickens.
Chronic respiratory disease:
Symptoms to identify this condition are raspy breathing,
coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and squeaky crow. Antibiotics can be used for treatment,
but survivors typically remain carriers. Prevention includes vaccination, keeping the coop
clean and well ventilated, and minimizing stress.
You will need to report this disease to the
USDA.
Colibacillosis:
This disease is also called E. coli infection. Symptoms include fever, swollen
joints, lameness, and diarrhea. Treatment includes antibiotics, but they need to be admin-
istered in the early stages of the disease to be effective. Prevention includes good sanitation,
rodent control, and hatching healthy eggs.
