1. Diseases and Parasites of Poultry
Chapter 37
Diseases and Parasites of Poultry

2. Objectives
Establish a disease and parasite control program for poultry
Identify the Symptoms of Common Poultry Diseases
Identify the Common Parasites of Poultry
Describe methods of preventing disease and parasite infestation of poultry

3. Maintaining Poultry Health
Preventive management is the best way to control poultry diseases and parasites
A preventative program involves
Sanitation
Good management
Vaccination
Control of disease outbreaks

4. Maintaining Poultry Health (cont.)
Sanitation
Poultry houses must be completely cleaned and disinfected
This has to be done before new birds are moved in
Whenever possible, do not allow visitors to enter poultry houses, pens, yards
Dispose of dead birds properly

5. Maintaining Poultry Health (cont.)
Vaccination
Not substitute for good health management
Vaccinate only healthy birds
Can be helpful in controlling certain diseases
Newcastle disease
Marek’s disease
Infectious bronchitis
Fowl pox, etc.

6. Maintaining Poultry Health (cont.)
Controlling Disease Outbreaks
Better to prevent a disease than try to control it
During the first 3 weeks
Normal death rate for chicks is about 2 percent
For turkeys, it is about 3 percent
After the 3 three weeks the death rate should be below 1 percent per month

7. Diseases and Disorders
Amyloidosis
The liver becomes hard and fluids accumulate within the body cavity
Aortic Rupture/Dissecting Aneurysm
Artery ruptures, bird bleeds to death internally
Arthritis/Synovitis
Inflammation of joints, synovial membranes

8. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Aspergillosis (Brooder Pneumonia)
Caused by a fungus or mold
Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague)
Caused by several viruses
Avian Leukosis
A complex of diseases caused by viruses

9. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Avian Pox (Fowl Pox)
No treatment
Avian Vibrionic Hepatitis
Affects chickens in an acute or chronic form
Blackhead
Caused by a protozoan parasite

10. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Bluecomb (Transmissible Enteritis; Mud Fever)
Caused by a virus and affects all ages
Bluecomb (Pullet Disease)
Cause unknown but is believed to be a virus
Bumblefoot (Staphylococcosis)
A disease of the feet that affects turkeys

11. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Botulism (Limberneck; Food Poisoning)
Bird eats decayed material containing a toxin
Cage Layer Fatigue
Affects young pullets laying eggs at high rate
Coccidiosis
Caused by a number of protozoan parasites called coccidia

12. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Coliform Infections (Colibacillosis)
Young birds are more commonly affected
Duck Virus Enteritis (Duck Plague)
There is no treatment; death loss is high
Degenerative Joint Disease
Mainly effects turkeys and laying hens

13. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Degenerative Myopathy (Green Muscle Disease)
Inner large breast muscle degenerates
Dietary Disorders
Number of diet-related disorders affect poultry
Epidemic Tremor (Avian Encephalomyelitis)
Chicks become paralyzed and tremble

14. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Erysipelas
First sign of disease is several dead birds
Fatty Liver Syndrome
Affects mainly caged birds on high-energy diets
Fowl Cholera, Endemic Fowl Cholera (Pasteurellosis )
Almost eliminated by good management in commercial flocks

15. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Hemorrhagic Anemia Syndrome
Death loss is high in acute form
Hemorrhagic Enteritis
Most common in older turkeys
Hexamitiasis
Caused by protozoan parasite

16. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Inclusion Body Hepatitis
Sudden death is often a symptom
Infectious Bronchitis
Caused by a virus and only affects chickens
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Prevention is by vaccination

17. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Infectious Coryza
Caused by a bacterium
Laryngotracheitis
Death rate is high
Leucocytozoonosis
Mainly affects turkey poults and ducklings

18. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Mycoplasmosis
Chronic respiratory disease
Mycotoxicosis
Fungi, mold grow on feed, litter produce toxins
Necrotic Enteritis
Sudden death of healthy birds is first sign

19. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Newcastle Disease
Occurs in several forms, each caused by a different virus
New Duck Disease (Infectious Serositis)
One of the most serious illnesses for ducklings
Omphalitis
Appears to be caused by several bacteria

20. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Ornithosis
In humans it is called parrot fever
Poisoning
Birds may be poisoned by eating or drinking any toxic materials
Round Heart Disease
Heart becomes enlarged, rounded, and flabby

21. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Salmonella and Paracolon Infections
Four diseases of poultry that are caused by these bacteria include
Pullorum disease
Fowl typhoid
Paratyphoid
Paracolon infections

22. Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Trichomoniasis
Caused by a protozoan parasite
Ulcerative Enteritis
Acute form can cause sudden death

23. External Parasites
There are many parasites that affect the poultry industry
Mites and lice create the most serious problems

24. External Parasites (cont.)
Mites

25. External Parasites (cont.)
Mites (cont.)
Common Chicken Mites
Northern Fowl Mite
Scaly Leg Mite

26. External Parasites (cont.)
Poultry Lice
Insects; have six legs
Most common type is body louse
All poultry lice have chewing mouth parts
Feed on skin, scab tissue, and feather parts
Will not feed on humans

27. External Parasites (cont.)
Fowl Tick
Dark-colored bloodsucker
Can cause paralysis
Fleas and Bedbugs
Bloodsuckers; feed on bird at night
Flies
Nuisance around poultry house

28. External Parasites (cont.)
Control of External Parasites
Basis is sanitation procedures
Insecticides may be used for control
Check with poultry specialists, veterinarians, or the Cooperative Extension Service for current regulations for insecticide use

29. Internal Parasites Internal parasites that affect poultry include
Large roundworms
Cropworms (capillaria)
Cecal worms
Tapeworms
Flukes
Gapeworms
Gizzard worms

30. Internal Parasites (cont.)

31. Internal Parasites (cont.)

32. Internal Parasites (cont.)

33. Internal Parasites (cont.)

34. Internal Parasites (cont.)