Poultry Improvement Project

Viral Diseases and Non Infectious Diseases

Marek’s Disease

• Causes and Symptoms• Caused by the Herpes virus.

• Symptoms are sudden death, loss of weight, diarrhea, paralysis of legs or wings. Skin lesions may occur as young as 5 to 8 weeks.

Marek’s Disease

• Prevention• Vaccination.

• Antibiotics do not work on viral diseases.

Newcastle Disease

• Causes and Symptoms• Caused by a virus.

• Symptoms include sneezing and droopiness, muscular incoordination (neck and legs), tremors, paralysis.

Newcastle Disease

• Diagnosis and Prevention• Diagnosis is a serum neutralization test.

• Prevention is a vaccination.

Fowl Pox

• Symptoms• Symptoms are small to yellow blisters on comb and

wattles which will scab over.

Fowl Pox

• Diagnosis and Prevention• Diagnosis is identification of the virus.

• Prevention is with a vaccine.

Infectious Bronchitis

• Causes and Symptoms• Caused by a virus.

• Symptoms include tracheitis, sneezing, coughing, crackly breathing, and watery eyes.

Infectious Bronchitis

• Diagnosis and Prevention• Diagnosis by isolation of the virus.

• Prevention is immunization(vaccinate) with a live virus.

Cannibalism

• Non infectious disease that occurs in fowl raised in captivity.

• Includes vent picking, toe picking, and head picking.

• Vent Picking– is the severest form of cannibalism and is usually seen in

pullets in high production. It’s caused by a prolaps or tearing of tissue around the vent.

Toe and Head Picking

• Toe picking may be brought on by hunger and is seen in young chicks.

• Head picking usually follows injuries to the comb and wattles caused by freezing or fighting.

Fatty Liver Syndrome

• Excess fat surrounds the liver and body cavities.

• Usually affects caged birds but may affect floor birds of the heavier (meat) breeds.

• Prevention• TIP-Putting waterers and feeders on opposite sides of

the house to allow for exercise may reduce fatty liver syndrome.

• Also, not over feeding protein may help.

Pendulous Crop

• Found among chickens 2-3 months of age.

• Condition may be caused by irregular feeding and by over consumption of feed or water at one time.

• Always keep plenty of fresh, clean water in front of chickens.

Hysteria

• Excessive fright (usually only in young pullets or layers).

• If on the floor, they will pile into the corners and injure themselves. Death in large numbers often results.

• Keeping a light on the birds at all times and not scaring the birds may provide some prevention.