Health Problems of Poultry and Game Birds

compiled by Terry Smith

 Disease

Symptoms

Treatment

Canker (Trichomoniasis)

Upper Form - sunken, empty crop, stretching of neck, swallowing, open-mouthed breathing, and fetid odor. Lesions in mouth, esophagus, and crop.

Lower Form - Depression, unthriftiness, watery, yellow diarrhea, and weight loss.

Metronidazole (non-meat birds), copper sulfate*, Carnidazole, canker tablets, 4 in 1 Powder (pigeons). *Stock solution:  1 lb. copper sulfate, 1 c. vinegar, 1 gal. water. Add 1 oz. or 1 tbs. stock solution to 1 gal. of water in non-metal container for 4 to 7 days.

Cholora

Sudden death, fever, loss of appetite, increased thirst, depression, drowsiness, ruffled feathers, head pale and drawn back, increased respiratory rate, mucous discharge from mouth and nose, watery white diarrhea later becoming thick and greenish yellow, bluish comb and wattles, death within hour of noticing symptoms. 

Control rodents, wild birds, and predators. Medicate  with sulfa drugs or vaccinate to stop mortality. Prolonged use of sulfa drugs decreases egg production and can be toxic. It also leaves a residue in eggs and meat so do not use on birds intended for human consumption. Tetracycline  may be used but it is not  as effective.

Coccidiosis

In young birds - droopiness, huddling with ruffled feathers, loss of appetite and desire to drink, weight loss, watery, mucous, or pasty, tan or blood-tinged diarrhea. In adult birds - thin breast weak legs, reduced egg production, and diarrhea. Yellow-skinned birds pale comb, skin, and shanks.

Choice of drug depends on the identification of the coccidia involved. Sulmet, Corid, Di-Methox, and Amprol are used to treat Coccidiosis.

Marek’s Disease

Birds 6 to 9 months old - enlarged, red feather follicles  or white bumps on skin that fi\orm a brown crusty scab; lack of coordination, pale skin, wing or leg paralysis (one leg points forward & the other poins back under the body), rapid weight loss, coma, death due to trampling or inability to get to feed and water; in breeds having reddish bay eyes - cloudy, grayish dilated pupil.

None, cull unless you’re breeding for resistance. Day-old birds can be vaccinated. Check with state poultry specialist for advice on vaccines.

Bumblefoot

In mature males, especially heavy breeds - lameness, reluctance to walk, rests on hocks with sores on hocks and/ or bottoms of toes, inflamed foot, hard, swollen, or pus-filled abscess on bottom of foot.

Inject swollen area with 1/2cc penicillin. If abscess is large, wash foot, open abscess and remove cheesy core. Clean with hydrogen peroxide, pack with Neosporin, and tape bandage over area. Confine bird to deep litter. Dress abscess 2 or 3 days.

Respiratory Diseases            More Respiratory Diseases           Other Health Problems