There are a variety of diseases that poultry birds like chickens suffer from that are pretty common. Maintaining the peak health of chickens is always imperative to give them a fighting chance and ensure they are fit for human consumption. Here is how to recognize some of the most common chicken diseases.
The most common chicken diseases show different symptoms that can be easily recognized. These signs include coughing, sneezing, white patches, ulcers in the chicken’s mouth and throat, body tremors, feathers that easily fall off, and in severe cases, paralysis of the feet and wings.
Recognizing the most common chicken disease symptoms is imperative. It may give you an edge and place you one step ahead so you can try to save your chickens. Regardless of how hard you try to prevent your chicken from getting any ailments, they will happen at one point or another. Here are some of the most well-known chicken diseases to keep in mind.
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The Most Common Chicken Diseases And How To Recognize Them
Having a flock of chickens in your backyard can be rewarding and fun. However, as with most living things, chickens are not immune to diseases. Several diseases affect chickens. Here they are and how you can recognize each one.
Botulism Is A Disease That Affects Chickens
Botulism is a lethal disease that is relatively easy to recognize in chickens as it is like food poisoning for chickens. Suppose you notice tremors in your chicken. In that case, the chances of the chicken being diagnosed with Botulism are very high.
This disease can extend to the rest of the body and result in the chicken dying. There is no doubt that chickens’ feathers tend to fall off. However, if the feathers fall off far too easily, Botulism may be the cause.
Chickens Can Get Fowl Pox
One of the most visual symptoms of this disease on chickens is white spots or patches. If you notice your chicken developing white spots on their skin, it is almost always Fowl Pox.
In addition to the white spots, the chicken will have ulcers that appear white in either the mouth or the throat and scabby sores popping up on their combs. You should become concerned when you notice all of the above, particularly when the chicken simply stops laying eggs.
Infectious Bronchitis Is A Common Disease In Chickens
This is a chicken disease that is particularly taxing on chickens. This rapid and sudden airborne disease, much like the flu, can easily affect chickens. The symptom is evident as there is coughing. You will also notice a discharge oozing from the chicken’s eyes, nose, and mouth.
Your chickens will likely also have abnormal respiratory sounds, sneezing, gasping, and swelling of the face are some of the other signs to look out for. In addition, the chicken may lay fewer eggs and the eggs laid have poor shell quality.
Fowl Cholera Is A Severe Common Chicken Disease
Fowl Cholera is a common chicken disease that is more severe and dangerous. Suppose you notice your chicken having watery, yellow poop. In that case, the chances of them having Fowl Cholera are high as yellow diarrhea is one of the symptoms of this disease. The other symptoms to recognize this disease are swollen wattles and lameness. However, keep in mind that this disease may be asymptomatic.
Marek’s Disease Is Another Common Disease In Chicken
This disease is another one that is particularly nasty as it is a tumor disease. Chickens can catch it by inhaling dead skin cells clinging to the feathers of other birds. It is hard to miss noticing this disease as symptoms include paralysis of the legs and the wings. You’ll want to pay close attention to younger birds with this disease as it is more common in chickens under 20 weeks old.
You will notice your chicken lying on their side with one leg stretched in one direction and the other in another, as this is the classic position. In its acute form, birds with this disease will die suddenly without showing any symptoms. Other signs to keep in mind are weight loss, paleness, diarrhea, and a shrunken comb.
Air Sac Disease Also Affects Chickens
This is another common chicken disease that affects the respiratory tracts of chickens. Not only that, but it also affects the air sacs of chickens. The first recognizable sign that your chickens may have this disease is if they lay eggs poorly or if the chicken is perpetually weak and barely active.
As this disease progresses, other symptoms you will notice will be sneezing, coughing, swollen joints, breathing difficulties, and death in most severe cases.
Chickens Are Also Affected By Newcastle Disease
The Newcastle disease is another common chicken disease to look out for. Symptoms start as breathing problems and progress to the chicken’s nose discharge. As it worsens, the chicken’s eyes take on a murky look. The chicken will then stop laying eggs. In addition, you will notice paralysis in the chicken’s wings and legs and a twisted neck. This common symptom occurs in the final stages of the disease.
Mushy Chick Disease Is A Severe Common Chicken Disease
This is a grotesque disease that you should keep an eye out for, particularly in new chicks, as it affects chickens shortly after they hatch. A particularly obvious sign is a midsection that seems irritated and has a slightly blue hue. Immediately after the chick hatches, you will also notice that the newborns will be particularly weak.
A Common Chicken Disease Is Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, is a devastating disease with fairly easy-to-recognize symptoms. The chicken’s face will likely become inflamed, and they will develop diarrhea. As with most diseases, chickens with bird flu will simply stop laying eggs. This disease is so serious that infected chickens are generally killed immediately.
Conclusion
Regardless of the reason you have chickens, keeping them happy means being able to recognize the different common diseases that could affect them. Diseases can endanger your chickens if they appear. Therefore, knowing what to look for will go a long way in you being able to treat it and even prevent it.
