COMMON DISEASES IN POULTRY AND THEIR SYMPTOMS
We can all agree that poultry business is a very lucrative business to venture into if you are willing to put in the work and do all things properly. On a downside, they are various diseases in poultry which can affect you as a farmer adversely. A lot of farmers lose a huge amount of their investments due to such cases.
Below are the common diseases that affects birds and their symptoms.
1. *MAREK’S DISEASE:*
This disease is a viral disease which is highly contagious in birds
*Symptoms*
a. Paralysis in the legs, wing and neck
b. Lameness
c. Weight loss
d. A grey pupil in the eye
e. Blindness.
2. *INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE ( IBD):*
This disease is also known as *gumboro*, it’s also highly infectious
*Symptoms*
a. Loss of appetite
b. Whitish watery poop
c. Weight loss
d. Paleness, droopiness and huddling
3. *NEWCASTLE DISEASE (NCD)*
*Symptoms*
a. Coughing and sneezing
b. Respiratory distress and nervous disorder
c. Laying down in young birds
d. Abnormal positioning of the head (twisting)
e. Death occurs within 3-4days.
4. *E.COLI*
*Symptoms*
a. Ruffled feathers
b. Yellowish coloured droppings
c. Soiled vent
d. Decreased appetite.
5. *DIARRHEA*
*Symptoms*
. More water in the bird’s droppings.
6. *COCCIDIOSIS*
*Symptoms*
a. Ruffled feathers
b. Loss of appetite
c. Droopiness
d. Pale combs
e. Blood in their poop.
7. *FOWL POX*
*Symptoms*
Dry pox: decrease in weight gain
. Dark brown/yellowish like lesions on the head
Wet pox:. lack of appetite
. Nasal and occular discharge.
8. *CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)*
*Symptoms*
a. Coughing and sneezing
b. Decreased feed intake
c. Low body weight.
9. *WORMS*
*Symptoms*
a. Worms in the birds poop.
b. Low feed conversion rate.
10. *INFECTIOUS CORYZA*
*Symptoms*
a. Sneezing
b. Swelling of the face.
11. *HEAT STRESS*
*Symptoms*
a. Dropping or spreading of wings
b. Panting (opening and closing of the mouth).
*In Conclusion*
Giving the birds the best attention will enable the farmer know the status of the birds and give the right things at the right time in order to enhance both the growth and stability of the birds.
