There are a large number diseases and parasites that can affect chickens. It is essential to learn to recognize its symptoms, to detect its appearance promptly. We will see that many pathologies will manifest themselves through very similar clinical signs, so it is important that we have an expert veterinarian to be able to reach a correct diagnosis. This will also be the right professional to inform us about the best preventive measures.
Discover in this article on our site the chicken diseases and their symptomsYou will discover which are the ones that most frequently affect chicks, adult birds and which can be transmitted to humans and vice versa. Read on to find out.
How do you know if a hen is sick?
Before starting, it will be essential to review the symptoms of chicken diseases, thus, the most common manifestations that indicate that we are facing a possible pathology are:
- Anorexia, that is, the hen doesn't eat or drink, although another sign of illness is excessive drinking.
- Emission of secretions from the nose and eyes.
- Noisy breathing.
- Cough.
- Absence or decrease in egg laying or that they appear deformed or with a weakened shell.
- Diarrhea with a bad smell.
- A sick hen is not moving as usual, she is lethargic.
- Skin changes.
- Feathers look bad.
- The chicken does not react to stimuli that should be interesting to it.
- Hides.
- Slimming.
- Difficulty standing.
Finally, a very common situation is finding plucked hens and wondering what disease it is. Well, it may be due to inadequate feeding, pecking from other hens if they live in a community, physiological shedding, stress or some diseases. In other words, the lack of feathers is a symptom and not a disease in itself.
Diseases of backyard chickens
The first thing we need to know is that the most common diseases of chickens, which we will see below, are going to present themselves with very similar symptoms, so it is easy to confuse them. That is why it is important to be able to count on the help and diagnosis of an expert. In addition, they are usually very contagious , so it is advisable to isolate those that are suspicious.
Therefore, in diseases of free-range or free-range hens, it is essential to prevent rather than cure, which is achieved with good care, adequate accommodation and a balanced diet. In the following sections we review chicken diseases and their symptoms.
Chick Diseases
Below we will mention some of the pathologies that most frequently affect chicks:
Marek's disease
Before reviewing chicken diseases and their symptoms, let's stop at chicken diseases, since we find some more common pathologies in these ages such as Marek's disease, which groups several highly contagious viral pathologies that cause tumors and paralysis There is a vaccine but it is not always effective, Therefore, it is considered that the best prevention is good hygiene and adequate living conditions. It is a disease that has no treatment, but the little ones can survive if we get them to continue eating and maintain, as much as possible, their immune system.
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is the leading cause of death in chicks. It is a highly contagious parasitic disease of the digestive tract. The stool will show bloodAnother disorder that involves the digestive system is obstruction, which can prevent defecation. It is due to stress, temperature changes, poor handling, etc. You have to readjust the diet and clean the cloaca.
Chicks may also have torticollis, such that they are unable to hold their heads up. Also, will walk backwards It may be due to a deficiency of vitamin B, so this should be increased in the diet. You have to make sure that the little one can eat and that he is not trampled on by his peers, if he lives in a community
Hereditary diseases
You can also see Diseases of hens in the beak These are deformities that appear to be genetic and worsen with growth. They can lead to difficulties in feeding, so we must ensure that the animal manages to eat, offer soft food, raise the feeder, etc. Alterations can also appear on the legs. For example, these can slide to the sides so that the chick is unable to walk or stand up This may be due to errors in the temperature of the incubator or a deficit of vitamins. A non-slip floor and a bandage to keep the paws together are part of the treatment.
Respiratory diseases
Finally, other diseases of chicks that stand out are respiratory problems, to which chicks are very susceptible, showing a picture of greater or lesser severity. Eye and nasal discharge, cough or sneezing are the most common symptoms. It is essential to maintain hygiene.
It must be taken into account that chicks are more delicate, which means that diseases can present themselves in a more serious way. For example, mites can kill a chick due to the anemia they cause.
Chicken eye diseases
Chickens' eyes may look irritated and inflamed if they live in high ammonia levelsThis can also affect the nasal sinuses and the trachea and, if the situation is not resolved, the animal can go blind. Ammonia comes from the union of uric acid in poultry manure with water, which forms an environment conducive to bacterial growth, producing ammonia.
Marek's disease can also affect the eyes if tumors develop in the iris. Other diseases such as pox avian also have repercussions at the ocular level if the lesions occur near the eyes. Bacterial or fungal infections are also responsible for conjunctivitis, as are nutritional deficiencies. In addition, in the following sections we will see that many diseases of chickens include ocular symptoms.
Chicken pox
Among the diseases of chickens' feet, avian pox stands out. This chicken disease and its symptoms are common and are characterized by blisters on the beards, legs or even all over the body Scabs form and fall off. Infrequently, it can affect the mouth and throat, impairing breathing and even causing the death of the bird. You can get vaccinated.
Dermanyssus galinae and other mites in chickens
External parasites, such as bird mites, can go unnoticed and cause considerable damage such as decreased egg laying, slowed growth, anemia, weakened immune system, weight loss, feathers soiled by parasite excrement, and even mortalityThis is because chicken mites feed on blood.
Furthermore, as some may live in the environment, the treatment must also include the environment. It is one of the diseases that roosters can affect their ability to mate because the mites tend to cluster around the genital area. They are treated with acaricides that are found in different presentations, once the mite has been diagnosed. It is prevented by maintaining proper hygiene.
Types of mites that affect chickens
The most common mites are the red mites, called Dermanyssus galinae. They are a disease of chickens with more important symptoms in hot climates. Knemidocoptes mutans mites can also appear on the feet. The skin thickens, peels, scabs, there may be exudates and red spots appear. In addition, the legs may appear deformed. It spreads by direct contact and is more common in older birds. There are several treatments. The legs may be damaged.
Visceral gout or avian urolithiasis
The parasite that we mentioned in the previous section is sometimes confused with another disease of the legs, a type of arthritis called gota, which is caused by severe kidney failure It is caused by the accumulation of urates in the joints and inflames those of the hock and feet, causing lameness, which makes it difficult to movement. It usually affects both legs.
The limb is deformed and sores appear, which can lead to confusion with acarosis. It may be due to a genetic problem or a diet with too much protein. It is more common in roosters and from four months of age. There is no cure but it is possible to improve the conditions of the bird to make life more comfortable, encourage it to drink more, modify the diet including fruits and vegetables, etc.
Lice
External parasite infestations can be from hen diseases with undetected symptoms, but may be responsible for a decrease in egg laying, affect growth, cause malnutrition and even death. The affected animal loses weight, scratches and pecks the skin and has several discolored areas. We can avoid them by regularly observing the body of the hens to detect them. Lice, unlike mites, can only live on the host. They are less resistant to treatments than mites.
Infectious Bronchitis
Among chicken diseases, the symptoms of infectious bronchitis are relatively common. It can be mild but, in other cases, it is serious. Affected hens stop eating and drinking, have nasal and eye secretions, cough, pant, and generally have trouble breathing. Also, the hens stop laying eggs or they come out deformed. It is a pathology for which there is a vaccine, although it does not prevent infection. Treat with antibiotics and keep the bird in a warm environment.
Newcastle Disease
Newcastle disease is a viral pathology that triggers respiratory and nervous symptomsand can present with different degrees of severity and symptoms such as sudden death, sneezing, breathing problems, runny nose, cough, watery greenish diarrhoea, lethargy, tremors, torticollis, walking in circles, stiff or swollen eyes and neck. This chicken disease and its symptoms are very contagious , so prevention is best. There is a vaccine to prevent it.
Avian cholera
This is a disease triggered by Pastereulla multocida and can occur acutely or chronically. In the first case it can mean the sudden death of the bird. Vascular damage, pneumonia, anorexia, runny nose, bluish discoloration, or diarrhea occur. This chicken disease and its symptoms mainly affect older or still growing chickens.
For its part, the chronic presentation is characterized by the appearance of inflammations on which the skin can reachgangrenate Neurological symptoms such as torticollis may also be seen. Vaccines are available. Treatment is based on the administration of antibiotics.
Avian flu or avian influenza
This chicken disease and its symptoms can Cause death within days The clinical picture is similar to the flu. It is transmitted between birds of different species by contact with mucous membranes and infected feces and can also be transported through insects, rodents or our clothing
Symptoms include sudden death, purple discoloration of legs and crests, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, and hens lay less or stop put, they lose their appetite, are lethargic, have mucous stools, cough, runny eyes and nose, sneeze or walk unsteadily. The treatment involves improving the bird's immune system with a good diet, since it is a viral disease.
Infectious coryza
Also called a cold or croup. Symptoms are facial swelling, runny nose and eyes, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath with wheezing and snoring, anorexia, change in comb color or lack of egg laying. This chicken disease and its symptoms can be treated with antibiotics, since it is a bacterial pathology, but a cure is not always possible.
Infectious sinusitis
Also called mycoplasmosis, this chicken disease and its symptoms affect all poultry. It is characterized by sneezing, runny nose and sometimes eyes, cough, respiratory problems, and swelling in the eyes and sinuses. It is treated with antibiotics as it is a bacterial disease.
Chicken diseases that affect humans
Some chicken diseases and their symptoms can be transmitted to humans and vice versa through contact with faeces, via aerial or, if applicable, by ingestion. So we are talking about zoonotic diseases The famous bird flu rarely infects people, but it is true that it can happen. They will be people who have been in contact with birds, with contaminated surfaces or by eating poorly cooked meat or eggs. The disease can be mild or severe and presents with symptoms similar to those of the flu. They are more at risk pregnant women, the elderly or people with a weak immune system.
Newcastle disease may also spread to humans, causing mild conjunctivitis In addition, salmonellosis, a bacterial disease, can be acquired from the consumption of eggs. It causes gastroenteritis. There are other bacteria, such as Pastereulla multocida, which can cause skin lesions in people after being pecked or scratched by birds. There are other diseases that birds can transmit, but their incidence is low. In any case, it is convenient to maintain hygiene and, if the hens show symptoms of illness or we suffer from an illness for no other reason, we must go to a veterinarian, that is, to the he alth professional of these animals.