Chook Diseases
affects young chicks and can result in 100% mortality. It is caused by a strain of salmonella. Strangely, it seems to affect heavy breed fowls more than light breeds. Pullorum is spread in a wide variety of ways. Feather dander, flies, cohabitation with infected chicks, on clothing and shoes and even infection passed through the ovary and into the egg, where the chick is infected before birth. This makes the disease very serious, particularly on commercial poultry farms. Infected chicks often die without any prior warning, but some may have white, pasty droppings which stick to the vent and which the chicks strain to pass. Others may gasp as if suffocating. Chicks which survive fail to thrive and are not generally useful. Another strain affects older birds which causes eggs to be infected in the ovaries. Such birds are useless as breeders. The disease can be treated by the use of certain antibiotics given in the feed. In Australia, this disease is notifiable, but does not have the same impact on poultry as it once did, due to vigorous testing and veterinary intervention.
Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) shows as flu-like symptoms and is often caused by a number of different bacteria. It is found where birds are overcrowded in cold, drafty conditions. Antibiotics are used to clear up this problem.
Coryza is another respiratory disease. Symptoms are swollen eyes, runny nostrils and eyes, with a particularly foul smell. Birds often show stained wings where they repeatedly wipe their eyes. This disease usually occurs when there is cold weather, (change of seasons is a high risk time) dusty conditions and in high pollen seasons. Antibiotics are used to cure this disease, however recovered birds remain carriers and will become continually reinfected. Some breeds and strains of chickens seem to be more susceptible than others.
Protozoan diseases:
Coccidiosis is an important disease of young chicks. It is caused by a number of nematodal coccidia which all chickens are normally in contact with. However when conditions become damp and musty, excessive levels of these coccidia infect the caecal tubes if the chicks resulting in sudden death. An important symptom is blood around the vent or bloody diarrhea. Once noticed, swift action is needed to prevent high losses. Treatment is by administration of sulpha drugs. Fast recovery occurs after treatment begins.
Obviously there are many more diseases which can infect chickens, but these are the more common
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