Chicken Diseases

If you have a pet chicken, or if you breed them, then this AnimalSake article will help you gain information on the different types of diseases that these birds are prone to.

Chickens are probably the least demanding and easygoing pets that you can ever have, no matter which breed they belong to. As long as you feed them properly and give them a hygienic space, they will not bother you at all. Unlike other pets who need constant care, attention, patting, and pampering, chickens would want you to leave them alone most of the time! They are prone to many health issues, which if left unnoticed, may lead to the death of the bird, along with spreading the infection to other poultry animals, as well.

Some Common Diseases

The table below will give you information about the different diseases that are commonly found in chickens, along with their respective causes and symptoms.

Disease	Cause	Symptoms
Aspergillosis	Fungi infection	Breathing problem Decrease in feed consumption Paralysis Skin color changes to bluish dark
Avian influenza or bird flu	Virus infection	Lesser production of eggs Respiratory distress Diarrhea Dark red/white spots on the legs and combs Secretion of blood tinged discharge from nostrils
Fowl pox	Virus infection	Lesions on un-feathered body areas Retarded growth Lesser production of eggs Un-thriftiness
Marek’s disease	Virus infection	Paralysis Greenish diarrhea Irregular pupil shape or blindness Enlarged feather follicles Lameness and paleness Scaly combs Difficulty breathing
Botulism	Toxin	Paralysis Limped neck Feather follicles around the neck become loose
Salmonella	Bacterial infection	Huddling Weakness Diarrhea Droopiness Feces are chalk white in color
Newcastle disease	Virus infection	Gasping Watery discharge from the nostrils Paralysis Twisted neck Swollen face Trembling
Lymphoid leukosis	Avian leukosis virus	Weakness Enlarged abdomen Greenish diarrhea Regression of the comb
Ulcerative enteritis	Bacterial infection	Lesser feed consumption Depression Dullness in feathers Watery droppings
Omphalitis	Umbilical cord stump	Dehydration Infection in the external navel Peritoneal inflammation with foul odor Skin edema on the ventral areas

Some other diseases are:

Infectious bronchitis
Infectious coryza
Infectious laryngotracheitis
Swollen head syndrome
Infectious bursal disease
Avian encephalomyelitis
Egg drop syndrome
Fowl cholera
Necrotic enteritis
Staphylococcus

Symptoms Indicating Your Chicken is Sick

A healthy bird would have clear eyes, shiny feathers, would eat properly, and would move around frequently. The comb would be healthy and the gait would be positioned upright and alert. Mentioned below are the symptoms you should be suspicious of.

Foul smell
Presence of mites and lice
Scaly legs
Lesions
Constant weight loss
Watery discharge from the nostrils
Watery droppings
Reduction in egg production
Paralysis
Breathing problems
Paleness and weakness
Sitting at a place and hardly moving around

Preventive Steps

Providing these pets with a healthy environment and taking care of the aforementioned points that are minor but important in nature, would help you in preventing most of these illnesses. Mentioned below are some steps that you can take for prevention.

Provide them with freshwater and grains on a regular basis.
Make sure that you give them a well-balanced diet.
Keep their coops clean and dry.
Make sure that they have enough space to move around.
The temperature at which the chicks are kept is also essential. It should not be less than 90°F for the young ones.
Be in touch with the local vet who is qualified for effective treatment, and make it a point to get your chickens checked once in a while, especially when you notice that they are acting unusual.

The aforementioned ailments can be taken care of and treated, if diagnosed at an early stage. It is also advisable to keep the sick birds away from the healthy ones as the disease may spread to the others, as well.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a replacement for expert advice.

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