DISEASES AND TREATMENTS FOR POULTRY ESPECIALLY ASILS/ASEELS

2012-03-31T08:07:00.004-07:00

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INTRODUCTION

Many people who are very much interested in rearing Asil/Aseels are mostly unaware of how to treat their birds when they are infected or injured. Here I have collected many information from different sources and compiled it to provide you information when your flock is in danger. I started to collect these information when I was shocked that my Asil flock was infected by New Castle Disease virus. When I lost 6 of my birds I was very frustrated and started my search and I love to share all those information I know. Everyday I do research in the breeding of Asils so I would like to share all my experience here. All you Asil/Aseel fans can also post your ideas, information, knowledge and even can raise queries in the comments section so that everyone reading this will find it very useful.

PLEASE READ THIS!

All the information provided in this site will be constantly updated so suggestions are always welcomed. You may also find local extension help or vets for diagnosing more complicated illnesses. This provides you Knowledge, information and guidance to give self treatment and cure all diseases in Asil chickens.

MAJOR PROBLEMS & DISEASES IN CHICKENS

(Click the links below)

GIVING HERBAL & HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

HOW TO USE THIS COMPENDIUM

Aspergillosis

Avian Pnemonovirus

Chronic Respiratory Disease

Coccidiosis

Conjuctivitis

Crop Impaction

Diarreah

Egg Bound

Infectious Bronchitis

Infectious Bursal Disease

Infectious Coryza

Infectious Laryngotracheitis

Molt

Scaly Leg Mites

Swollen Head Syndrome

(check constantly for the updates - still more to come...)

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Swollen Head Syndrome

2012-03-31T08:02:00.003-07:00

Avian pneumoviruses have been implicated in the upper respiratory tract disease of turkeys and chickens known as turkey rhinotracheitis. The virus has also been associated with swollen head syndrome of chickens. First described in south Africa in the late 1970s, avian pneumovirus soon appeared in Europe and the Middle East. The disease has now been reported from all the major poultry-producing areas in the world except for Australasia. The virus has also been detected in pheasants and guinea fowl, and serologic evidence suggests other avian species are susceptible. Recent studies have indicated an antigenic relationship with a newly discovered human pneumovirus isolated from children with respiratory tract disease.

Etiology:

Avian pneumoviruses are members of the subfamily Pneumovirinae, belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae. The subfamily consists of 2 genera: Pneumovirus, consisting of mammalian respiratory syncytial viruses and mouse pneumovirus, and Metapneumovirus, in which avian pneumoviruses are placed. Based on observed differences following sequence analysis of the viral genes, at least 3 subtypes of the virus have been described (A, B, C). Subtype C viruses appear to be the only subtype found in North America and have not been reported in other parts of the world.

Transmission and Epidemiology:

Following infection, the virus is shed from the nares and trachea but not in the feces. After initial introduction of the virus, the disease spreads rapidly within a geographic area or country. The methods by which the virus is spread are unclear and often unpredictable. Direct contact attributed to movement of infected birds, personnel, equipment, and vehicles have all been implicated, while airborne transmission has also been reported to occur. There is no published evidence of vertical transmission via the egg, even though the virus has, on occasion, been detected in the reproductive tract of laying birds. Persistence of the virus in turkeys and chickens has not been demonstrated and, following experimental infection, virus was detected for 6-7 days only after inoculation.

Wild birds have been implicated in the spread of avian pneumovirus, particularly waterfowl and gulls.

Clinical Findings:

Clinical signs in turkey poults include snicking, rales, sneezing, nasal discharge, foamy conjunctivitis, swollen infraorbital sinuses, and submandibular edema. Coughing and head shaking are frequently observed in older poults. In laying birds, egg production may drop up to 70% with an increased incidence of poor shell quality and peritonitis. Coughing associated with lower respiratory tract involvement may lead to prolapses of the uterus in laying turkeys.

Morbidity in birds of all ages is usually described as up to 100% with mortality ranging from 0.4% to as high as 50%, particularly in fully susceptible young poults. Secondary pathogens and management factors significantly influence the levels of morbidity and mortality.

Infection in chickens and pheasants is less clearly defined and may not always be associated with clinical signs. Avian pneumovirus is associated with swollen head syndrome in chickens. This condition is characterized by swelling of the peri- and infraorbital sinuses, torticollis, cerebral disorientation, and opisthotonos. Typically, <4% of the flock is affected, although respiratory signs may be widespread. Mortality is rarely >2%. In broiler breeders and commercial layers, egg production and quality are frequently affected. Evidence suggests that infectious bronchitis virus (Infectious Bronchitis: Introduction) and Escherichia coli may also be associated with swollen head syndrome.

Lesions:

In turkeys, excess mucus found in the nares, sinuses, and trachea is clear at first but rapidly becomes mucopurulent. When bacteria are involved, typical lesions of colisepticemia are frequently seen in various organs. The oviducts of affected breeders may contain inspissated albumen and solid yolk. Egg peritonitis may be associated with oviduct regression. Microscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract 1-2 days after infection reveals localized lesions, including loss of cilia, increased glandular activity, congestion, and mild mononuclear infiltration of the submucosa. Inflammatory infiltration of the submucosa can be observed with some mild lesions in the trachea between days 3 and 5. Similar but milder lesions can be observed in affected chickens.

Diagnosis:

Taking samples from the upper respiratory tract of birds in the very early stages of the disease is extremely important when attempting virus isolation. Early investigators found that tracheal organ cultures prepared from turkey or chicken embryos, or 1- to 2-day-old chicks, were the most sensitive for primary isolation of avian pneumoviruses. Ciliostasis may occur within 7 days of inoculation or on passage. The virus has also been isolated following the inoculation of 6- to 8-day-old embryonated chicken or turkey eggs via the yolk sac route and identified by electron microscopy, virus neutralization, and molecular techniques. Cell cultures have not proved successful for the primary isolation of the virus. However, once the virus has been isolated and adapted in the systems above, it will grow in a variety of avian and mammalian cultures.

PCR tests have been developed and are widely used to detect the virus in clinical material, particularly respiratory swabs. Some PCR tests have been constructed so that the subtype as well as the identity of virus can be determined from the clinical sample. Antigen detection tests have also been developed, including immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase assays on both fixed and unfixed tissues.

Due to difficulties in isolating and identifying pneumoviruses, serologic assays have been developed to confirm infection in commercial chickens and turkeys. A number of commercially prepared ELISA kits are available and are used most commonly, but other techniques including virus neutralization and indirect immunofluorescence have also been used. As with all serologic tests, both acute and convalescent samples should be submitted for analysis. The sera should be heated to 56°C for 30 min and stored at -20°C if delays in testing are unavoidable. While ELISA that use either subgroup A or B strains as antigens detect antibodies to both of these subgroups, the homologous antigen should be used for the efficient detection of subgroup C.

Differential Diagnosis:

Paramyxoviruses (particularly Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus 3), infectious bronchitis virus, and influenza viruses may cause respiratory disease and egg production problems in chickens and turkeys that closely resemble pneumovirus infection. These viruses can be differentiated on the basis of morphology, hemagglutinating and neuraminidase activity, and molecular characteristics. A wide range of bacteria and Mycoplasma spp can cause clinical signs very similar to those of avian pneumovirus. These agents are frequently present as secondary opportunistic pathogens and may mask the presence of the pneumovirus.

Prevention and Treatment:

Good management practices can significantly reduce the severity of infection, especially in turkeys; in particular, optimal ventilation, stocking densities, temperature control, litter quality, and biosecurity all have a positive influence on the disease. Some success in reducing disease severity by controlling secondary adventitious bacteria with antibiotics has also been reported.

Both live and inactivated vaccines are available for immunization of chickens and turkeys and are widely used in countries where the disease is endemic. Live vaccines stimulate both local and systemic immunity in the respiratory tract, and cross-protection between subtypes can occur. To produce complete protection in adult birds, oil-adjuvanted inactivated vaccines are administered to birds previously primed with live vaccines.

Avian Pneumovirus

2012-03-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

Avian Pneumovirus: Introduction
(Turkey rhinotracheitis, Avian rhinotracheitis, Swollen head syndrome)

Etiology

Transmission and Epidemiology

Clinical Findings

Lesions

Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Prevention and Treatment

Etiology:

Transmission and Epidemiology:

Wild birds have been implicated in the spread of avian pneumovirus, particularly waterfowl and gulls.

Clinical Findings:

Lesions:

Diagnosis:

Differential Diagnosis:

Prevention and Treatment:

Marek's Disease Vaccine

2011-12-17T08:11:00.001-08:00

Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey)

This page contains information on Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey) forveterinary use.
The information provided typically includes the following:

Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey) Indications
Warnings and cautions for Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey)
Direction and dosage information for Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey)

Marek's Disease Vaccine (chicken And Turkey)

This treatment applies to the following species:

Chickens

Manufacturer: Merial Select

Marek's Disease Vaccine, Live Chicken and Turkey Herpesvirus

U.s. Vet. Lic. No.

279

Active Ingredient(s)

The vaccine contains the FC-126 strain of turkey herpesvirus and the SB-I strain of chicken herpesvirus.

Penicillin and streptomycin sulfate are added as bacteriostatic agents.

Contains fungizone as a fungistatic agent.

Notice: The vaccine has met the requirements of the USDA in regards to safety, purity, potency and the capability to immunize normally susceptible chickens. The vaccine has been tested by the master seed immunogenicity test for efficacy.

Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey) Indications

The vaccine is recommended for use in healthy one day old chickens as an aid in the prevention of Marek's disease.

Chickens to be vaccinated must be healthy and free of all diseases. It is essential that the chickens be maintained under good environmental conditions, and that exposure to disease viruses be reduced as much as possible in the field.

Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey) Dosage And Administration

Frozen Vaccine:

Preparation of the Vaccine for Use: Important: Sterilize the vaccinating equipment by autoclaving for a minimum of 15 minutes at 250°F (121°C) or by boiling in water for at least 20 minutes. Never allow chemical disinfectants to come into contact with the vaccinating equipment.

1. Use 200 mL of sterile diluent for each 1,000 doses of vaccine indicated on the ampule.

2. Remove only one (1) ampule of vaccine at a time from the liquid nitrogen container. Thaw and use immediately. Do not hold the ampule toward the face when removing it from a liquid nitrogen container. Never refreeze a vaccine ampule after thawing.

3. The contents of the ampule are thawed rapidly by immersing in water at room temperature (15-25°C). Gently swirl the ampule to disperse the contents. Break the ampule at its neck and quickly proceed as described below.

4. Remove the cover from the diluent container. Draw the contents of the ampule into a sterile 10 mL syringe fitted with an 18 to 20 gauge needle. Slowly add the contents of the vaccine ampule to the appropriate volume of diluent. Withdraw a small amount of the diluent, rinse the ampule once and add this to the vaccine-diluent mixture. Mix the contents of the diluent container thoroughly by swirling and inverting the container. Do not shake vigorously.

5. Use the vaccine-diluent mixture immediately as described below.

Method of Vaccination:

1. Give subcutaneously only.

2. Use a sterile automatic syringe with a 20-22 gauge, 3/8"-1/2" needle which is set to accurately deliver 0.2 mL per dose. Check the accuracy of delivery several times during the vaccination procedure.

3. Dilute the vaccine only as directed, observing all precautions and warnings for handling.

4. Keep the bottle of diluted vaccine in an ice bath and agitate continuously.

5. Inject chickens under the loose skin at the back of the neck (subcutaneously), holding the chickens by the back of the neck just below the head. The loose skin in this area is raised by gently pinching with the thumb and forefinger. Insert the needle beneath the skin in a direction away from the head. Inject 0.2 mL per chicken. Avoid hitting the muscles and bones in the neck.

6. Use the entire contents of the vaccine container within one (1) hour after mixing the vaccine with the diluent.

Precaution(s)

Ampules: Store in a liquid nitrogen container.

Liquid nitrogen container: Carefully observe all liquid nitrogen precautions, including wearing eye protection and gloves. Store in a cool, well-ventilated area. Check the liquid nitrogen level once a day. Keep the container away from incubator intakes and chicken boxes.

Liquid Nitrogen Precautions: The liquid nitrogen containers and vaccines should be handled by properly trained personnel only. These persons should be familiar with the Union Carbide publication “Precautions and Safe Practices - Liquid Atmospheric Gases”, form #9888. Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold. Accidental contact with the skin or eyes can cause serious frostbite. Protect the eyes with goggles or a face shield. Wear gloves and long sleeves when removing and handling frozen ampules or when adding liquid nitrogen to the container. Storage and handling of liquid nitrogen containers should be in a well-ventilated area. Excessive amounts of nitrogen reduces the concentration of oxygen in the air of an unventilated space and can cause asphyxiation. If drowsiness occurs, get fresh air quickly and ventilate the entire area. If a person becomes groggy or loses consciousness while working with liquid nitrogen, get the person to a well-ventilated area immediately. If breathing has stopped, begin artificial respiration. Call a physician immediately.

Marek's Disease Vaccine (Chicken and Turkey) Caution(s)

Do not vaccinate diseased birds.

Vaccinate all of the birds on the premises at one time.

Administer a minimum of one dose for each bird.

Avoid stress conditions during and following vaccination.

Do not place chickens in contaminated facilities.

Exposure to disease must be minimized as much as possible.

For veterinary use only.

Administer only as recommended.

Use entire contents when first opened.

Burn the container and all unused contents.

The capability of the vaccine to produce satisfactory results depends upon many factors, including, but not limited to, conditions of storage and handling by the user, administration of the vaccine, health and the responsiveness of individual animals and the degree of field exposure. Directions for use should be followed carefully.

The use of the vaccine is subject to applicable local and federal laws and regulations.

Warning(s)

Do not vaccinate within 21 days before slaughter.

Presentation

5 x 1,000 dose and 5 x 2,000 dose ampules of virus, with 200 mL of diluent for each ampule.

Small Flock Vaccination

2011-12-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

Small Flock Vaccination

Vaccines are widely used by the livestock industry to prevent diseases. Commercial poultry (farms with greater than 5,000 birds) are almost universally vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Preventative vaccinations have resulted in increased health and improved production efficiency in the poultry industry.

Deciding Whether Or Not To Vaccinate

Vaccination, however, is seldom practiced by small flock owners. There may be several reasons for this including:

Rarely have any problems with diseases.

Unaware that disease may be present.

Do not get their diseases diagnosed by a knowledgeable professional.

Do not know where to obtain vaccines.

Get frustrated because poultry vaccines usually come in 500 to 1,000 dose vials.

Unfortunately, poultry are frequently submitted to veterinary clinics and veterinary diagnostic laboratories suffering from diseases which could have easily been prevented through appropriate vaccination. These diseases may result in loss of income from the eggs or meat. Other losses may include loss of valuable breeding stock, or the inability to participate at bird shows. This can be especially devastating for youngsters with 4-H projects.

Deciding whether or not to vaccinate against infectious diseases depends on the likelihood that one's birds may become exposed to illness. If one has a closed flock where new birds are never introduced, and the birds never leave the farm premise, the likelihood of many diseases is greatly reduced. Since the risk is small, the owner may opt not to vaccinate.

Vaccination should definitely be considered if the flock owner does one or more of the following:

Take birds to bird shows.

Buys birds from hatcheries, bird auctions, and other sources and adds these to an existing flock.

Has had disease problems in the past.

Planning Your Vaccinations

Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that poultry vaccines are produced in large doses per vial. This is for the convenience of commercial producers who often have several thousand animals to vaccinate. This fact, however, should not discourage the small producer from immunizing his birds. Plan to vaccinate your entire flock at one time. Some vaccines, such as Marek's vaccine, are best performed by the hatchery. Hatcheries and poultry suppliers are usually the best sources for vaccine. Be sure to carefully follow label directions when vaccinating for optimal protection in your birds.

What Vaccines Are Available?

Marek's Disease Vaccine

Marek's disease is a severe, debilitating viral illness of chickens. Birds with this disease frequently develop paralysis of one or both legs, their wings may droop, and they become very thin. The internal organs may develop tumors. In an affected flock, only a small percentage show typical symptoms and die. The majority of the infected birds shed virus for life. These virus-shedding birds are outwardly normal. When a shedder is introduced to a farm where the disease has never occurred before, high death losses may be seen. Once a farm has become contaminated with this virus, it is for all practical purposes, contaminated forever. In general, broiler chickens have less problems from Marek's disease than birds such as layers, or show birds, which tend to be kept around longer.

The good news is that the vaccines for Marek's disease are highly effective if vaccination is done correctly. It is best to order chicks already vaccinated at the hatchery. If this cannot be done, be sure to vaccinate all new birds the first day they arrive on the farm. The vaccine is not very effective if a bird has already been exposed to the disease for more than a few days.

The vaccine comes frozen in 1,000 dose vials. It is administered under the skin, at the back of the neck. Package instructions must be followed exactly in order for vaccination to be successful.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Vaccine

This infectious disease is caused by a virus that affects the bird's trachea (wind pipe). Birds with this sickness frequently gasp for air and cough up blood. High death loss is possible. The disease is often passed around at bird shows. It is a disease of chickens.

If an owner chooses to vaccinate, all chickens on the premise must be vaccinated, including any new birds that are added later. Vaccination is best performed after 4 weeks of age. Yearly boosters are advised. Rapid diagnosis and vaccination can also stop an outbreak from spreading in an affected flock.

Fowl Pox Vaccine

Fowl Pox is an infectious viral illness of chickens and turkeys caused by the pox virus. Fowl pox is strictly a disease of birds and is totally unrelated to the human illness called "chicken pox." The disease typically causes round, firmly adhering scabs on unfeathered portions of skin, along with fever and a drop in feed consumption. This results in a slow growth rate and reduced egg production. On occasion, the disease causes inflammation in the mouth and trachea of birds. These animals may die from starvation or suffocation. The virus is spread from bird to bird through the bites of blood-sucking insects or through wounds and scratches by the birds when fighting.

Fowl pox is easily prevented through vaccination. The vaccine is introduced directly into the skin with a metal two-pronged needle previously dipped in the vaccine. All birds should be vaccinated on the farm, with yearly booster shots recommended. Early spring or fall are the best times to vaccinate.

Miscellaneous Respiratory Diseases Including:

Newcastle's Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Mycoplasmosis, Turkey and Chicken Coryza, and Avian Influenza
Poultry producers are frequently plagued by long-standing "colds" in their flocks. Symptoms in affected flocks include swelling around the eyes, runny noses, coughing, and poor weight gain. There are a number of diseases which cause respiratory illness in flocks, including the six diseases named above. While there are effective vaccines available to prevent these illnesses, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis first. For example, vaccinating with the Newcastle's disease vaccine when the flock is actually infected with Bronchitis virus can make the disease symptoms worse! Your veterinarian can recommend serology (blood testing), bacterial cultures, and virus isolation to find out what is causing problems on your farm. Many of these tests are available through the Veterinary Diagnostic Center, located at the East Campus of the University of Nebraska.

Summary

Many effective vaccines are available for the small flock producer. Diseases such as Marek's disease or Fowl pox need not cause devastating losses in any flock, regardless of its size. For more information on poultry diseases, or where to obtain vaccines, please call Dr. Eva Wallner-Pendleton at the Veterinary Diagnostic Center, (402) 472-1434.

CROP IMPACTION - PHOTO GALLERY

2011-12-15T20:23:00.001-08:00

1.CROP IMPACTION. It Is Caused By Hard, Fibrous Feed Or Litter, Whose Accumulation Results In Impaction.

2.CROP IMPACTION. The Retained Content Into The Crop Sometimes Causes Putrefactive Necrotic Processes, Affecting The Crop Wall And The Covering Skin.

GASTROINTESTINAL IMPACTION

2011-12-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

GASTROINTESTINAL IMPACTION

1.A Sacciform Blind Pouch Occurring After Attachment Of The Intestinal Wall To An Unabsorbed Yolk Sac, Causing Impaction.

2.. INVAGINATION. Involvement Of Anterior Parts Of The Small Intestine, The Mesentery And The Tops Of The Caecum Into The Ileum. Usually, It Occurs With A Strong Intestinal Peristalsis, Often Following Ingestion Of Feed After A Restrictive Feeding Regimen.

4.Rotation Of The Small Intestine On The Longitudinal Axis Of The Mesentery, Resulting In Venous Stasis And Necrosis Of The Intestinal Wall.

5.CROP IMPACTION. It Is Caused By Hard, Fibrous Feed Or Litter, Whose Accumulation Results In Impaction.

6.CROP IMPACTION. The Retained Content Into The Crop Sometimes Causes Putrefactive Necrotic Processes, Affecting The Crop Wall And The Covering Skin.

Marek's Disease

2011-12-12T20:52:00.005-08:00

Marek's disease

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Introduction

Marek’s disease (MD) i s a lymphoproliferative disease of chicken caused by cell associated MD herpes virus (MDV) and is characterized by multiple T-cell lymphoma formation in visceral organs, muscles, skin and lesions in peripheral nerves (Calnek and Witter, 1991). Clinical signs observed for MD vary from mild depression followed by ataxia and paralysis, skin nodular lesions, stunting and mortality (Santinet al., 2006).The avian leucosis virus induces a well studied lymphoma in chicken called lymphoid leucosis (Pizer and Humpheries, 1989). From the 1980s and 1990s highly virulent strains have become a problem in North America and Europe.

The disease has various manifestations: a) Neurological - Acute infiltration of the CNS and nerves resulting in 'floppy broiler syndrome' and transient paralysis, as well as more long-standing paralysis of legs or wings and eye lesions; b) Visceral - Tumours in heart, ovary, tests, muscles, lungs; c) Cutaneous - Tumours of feather follicles.

Morbidity is 10-50% and mortality up to 100%. Mortality in an affected flock typically continues at a moderate or high rate for quite a few weeks. In 'late' Marek's the mortality can extend to 40 weeks of age. Affected birds are more susceptible to other diseases, both parasitic and bacterial.

The route of infection is usually respiratory and the disease is highly contagious being spread by infective feather-follicle dander, fomites, etc. Infected birds remain viraemic for life. Vertical transmission is not considered to be important.

The virus survives at ambient temperature for a long time (65 weeks) when cell associated and is resistant to some disinfectants (quaternary ammonium and phenol). It is inactivated rapidly when frozen and thawed.

Other Names

• range paralysis

• neural & ocular lymphomatosis

Organism or Mechanism

Six different herpes viruses

Signs

Paralysis of legs, wings and neck.
Loss of weight.
Grey iris or irregular pupil.
Vision impairment.
Skin around feather follicles raised and roughened.

Post-mortem lesions

Grey-white foci of neoplastic tissue in liver, spleen, kidney, lung, gonads, heart, and skeletal muscle.
Thickening of nerve trunks and loss of striation.
Microscopically - lymphoid infiltration is polymorphic.

Diagnosis

History, clinical signs, distribution of lesions, age affected, histopathology.
Differentiate from Lymphoid leukosis, botulism, deficiency of thiamine, deficiency of Ca/Phosphorus/Vitamin D, especially at the start of lay.

Preventative Measures

• Vaccinate. (Click to read more...)
• Remove litter after infection since it can persist in litter for years.
• Practice an all-in, all-out policy with disinfecting between batches.
• Rear you birds away from older birds for the first 2-3 months.
• Reduce insect populations in houses.

• Hygiene, all-in/all-out production, resistant strains, vaccination generally with 1500 PFU of HVT at day old (but increasingly by in-ovo application at transfer), association with other strains (SB1 Sero-type 2) and Rispen's.

• It is common practice to use combinations of the different vaccine types in an effort to broaden the protection achieved. Genetics can help by increasing the frequency of the B21 gene that confers increased resistance to Marek's disease challenge.

Management Treatments

It's always Good to vaccinate the birds. Because Marek's Vaccine gives the best protection for your flock.

Physical Treatments

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

1. Scurrula oortiana (Tea Mistletoe) Stem Extract to reduce the viral activity

2. Regular garlic Allium sativum L. can play a significant role in reducing malignant disease. Evidence points to the ability of allyl sulfides to suppress tumour development. The preventive use of garlic for its anticarcinogenic properties may therefore have value for minimising the effects of poultry disease in which tumour development is a symptom eg. Marek's Disease.
Dosage for Small Animals:

Fresh garlic: 1 clove (approx 3-4g) per 20-25 kg as a guide has not resulted in anemia in Wynn & Fougere's experience.
Dried herb: 15-20mg/kg, divided daily (optimally, TID[3 times daily]).
Tincture: (usually in 25%-40% ethanol): 1:2-1:3:0.5mL per 10kg, divided daily (optimally, TID[3 times daily]) and diluted or combined with other herbs.

So, a clove of fresh garlic each day for a pen of half a dozen laying birds would be about what is being described, depending on their weight.

Useful links:

http://www.nif.org.in/poultry

Homeopathic Treatments

• If paralysis, birds unable to stand and walk give—Causticum.
• If skin thickened by tumors, feather follicles thickened and leathery give--Calc flour,
Calc carb.
• If iris effected and white appearance give--Arg nit, Euphrasia.
• If sciatic nerve is enlarged give--Kali phos 6x, Kali sulph 6x.

Special Homeopathic Treatments:

There is a cure for Marek's Disease. It is a homeopathic remedy called "Hypericum." Hypericum is a small creeping herb that, when used hollistically, numbs nerves and dulls pain. When given to a bird suffering from the symptoms of Marek's Disease, it will cure the bird by working on the theory that "like cures like," in other words, by giving the bird the symptoms it will take the symptoms away. I've used this herb with great success to fully cure birds of Marek's Disease. You can fnd Hypericum at health food stores, $8 for 100 tablets. Hypericum must be diluted before it can be used:

- 1 tablespoon of DISTILLED water per tablet Hypericum (must be distilled water, tap water is ionized and will deactivate the Hypericum)
- MUST be mixed in a GLASS or PLASTIC bowl (metal with react with the water and herb)
- drip 5-10 drops (bantam) or 10-15 drops (large fowl) on the afflicted bird's tongue. Be sure the bird rubs its beak together because the Hypericum MUST touch the sinuses (located on the roof of the mouth) in order to work
- treat every 12 hours (morning and night) with a fresh batch
- recovery may be as quick as 1 day or as slow as several months

The treatment works best if you begin treating early. If you delay treatment, the Hypericum may not work or it may be a very slow recovery. IF YOU OVERDOSE YOUR BIRDS ON HYPERICUM, don't worry. The bird will exhibit extreme symptoms, and make a drastic improvment within a 24 hours. Hypericum is also helpful for pain. Only treat birds that are showing symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypericum

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Symptoms and Vaccination

VACCINE FOR NEWCASTLE OR RHANIKHET DISEASE

2011-12-12T01:43:00.000-08:00

Newcastle disease vaccines: an overview

Introduction

Chickens are susceptible to many infectious diseases. One of the most important of these is the viral disease known as Newcastle disease, which causes devastating losses in both commercial and village chickens. Reducing losses of large numbers of village chickens to virulent Newcastle disease is an essential first step to improving their productivity. Newcastle disease can be controlled by the use of vaccines. There are many Newcastle disease vaccines suitable for use in commercial chickens. These are available on the international market. The I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine has been developed for local or regional production and use in controlling Newcastle disease in village chickens.

Many Newcastle disease vaccines deteriorate after storage for one or two hours at room temperature. This makes them unsuitable for use in villages where the vaccine may need to be transported for hours or in some cases days at ambient temperature. The I-2 Newcastle disease vaccine is more robust and is known as a thermostable vaccine. Thermostable vaccines still require long-term storage in the refrigerator. However during transportation of the vaccine to the field, the vaccine will not deteriorate as quickly as the traditional vaccines. Evaporative cooling provided by wrapping the vaccine in a damp cloth will be adequate for maintaining the viability of the vaccine during transportation to remote villages. However if it is stored in direct sunlight or allowed to reach high temperatures (above 37°C) for more than a few hours it too will deteriorate and be unsuitable for use as a vaccine.

Immunity to Newcastle disease virus

Chickens that survive infection with virulent Newcastle disease virus develop a long lasting immunity to further infection with Newcastle disease virus.

The basis of this immunity is:

1. Circulating antibodies.
2. Secreted antibody producing mucosal immunity.
3. Cell mediated immunity.

Newcastle disease virus of low virulence induces similar immune responses without causing severe disease. This is the basis of vaccination.

See Appendix 2 for more information about Newcastle disease virus.

Live vaccines

These vaccines are made with virus that is alive and able to infect cells. Strains of virus of low or moderate virulence are used. They mimic natural infection and induce all three immune responses.

Killed vaccines

The ability of the virus to infect cells has been destroyed by treatment with a chemical, radiation or heat. These vaccines invoke only a circulating antibody response.

Some vaccine strains of Newcastle disease virus

Strains of Newcastle disease virus have been broadly classified into four pathotypes as follows:

Avirulent	Causes no disease
Lentogenic	Low virulence, low mortalities, loss of egg production
Mesogenic	Moderate virulence, mortalities up to 50 percent, loss of egg production
Velogenic	High virulence, severe disease with high mortalities.

(Spradbrow P.B. 1987)

Many strains of Newcastle disease virus other than velogenic strains are used in the production of live vaccines. Eight of these strains are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Eight strains of Newcastle disease virus used in live vaccines

Strain	Description
F	Lentogenic. Usually used in young chickens but suitable for use as a vaccine in chickens of all ages.
B1	Lentogenic. Slightly more virulent than F, used as a vaccine in chickens of all ages.
La Sota	Lentogenic. Often causes post vaccination respiratory signs, used as a booster vaccine in flocks vaccinated with F or B1.
V4	Avirulent. Used in chickens of all ages.
V4-HR	Avirulent. Heat Resistant V4, thermostable, used in chickens of all ages.
I-2	Avirulent. Thermostable, used in chickens of all ages.
Mukteswar	Mesogenic. An invasive strain, used as a booster vaccine. Can cause adverse reactions (respiratory distress, loss of weight or drop in egg production and even death) if used in partially immune chickens. Usually administered by injection.
Komarov	Mesogenic. Less pathogenic than Mukteswar, used as booster vaccine. Usually administered by injection.

Thermostable Newcastle disease vaccines

Thermostable Newcastle disease vaccines exhibit a relative resistance to inactivation on exposure to elevated temperatures. Strains of Newcastle disease virus vary in thermostability.

Thermostable vaccines are prepared from a strain of Newcastle disease virus that retains its ability to infect cells after storage outside a cold chain for a short period of time.
There are two basic processes used to produce a thermostable Newcastle disease vaccine.

1. Isolation of naturally occurring thermostable variants of the virus.
2. Increasing the thermostability of this variant by artificial selection in the laboratory.
A seed lot system is used to produce the vaccine. The sequential use of a master seed and a working seed minimizes the number of passages to produce a vaccine and maintains the genetic stability of the vaccine virus. The antigenicity and the thermostability of the virus in the master seed should be retained during the two passages that produce the working seed and then the vaccine.

PHOTO GALLERY :

VIDEO GALLERY:

ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES:

Pullorum Disease

2011-12-10T04:13:00.000-08:00

Introduction

Disease caused by one of the two poultry-adapted strains of Salmonella bacteria, Salmonella Pullorum, this usually only causes mortality in birds up to 3 weeks of age. Occasionally it can cause losses in adult birds, usually brown-shell egg layers. It affects chickens most commonly, but also infects turkeys, game birds, guinea fowls, sparrows, parrots, ring doves, ostriches and peafowl. It still occurs worldwide in non-commercial poultry but is now rare in most commercial systems.

Morbidity is 10-80%; mortality is increased in stressed or immunocompromised flocks and may be up to 100%. The route of infection is oral or via the navel/yolk. Transmission may be transovarian or horizontal mainly in young birds and may sometimes be associated with cannibalism. The bacterium is fairly resistant to normal climate, surviving months but is susceptible to normal disinfectants.

Other Names

Bacillary white diarrhoea

Organism

Salmonella Pullorum

Signs

Inappetance.
Depression.
Ruffled feathers.
Closed eyes.
Loud chirping.
White diarrhoea.
Vent pasting.
Gasping.
Lameness.
Dejection.
Loss of appetite and thirst.
Closed eyes
Signs are generally mild compared to host-specific salmonellae, or absent.

Post-mortem lesions

Grey nodules in lungs, liver, gizzard wall and heart.
Intestinal or caecal inflammation.
Splenomegaly.
Caecal cores.
Urate crystals in ureters.

Diagnosis

Isolation and identification. In clinical cases direct plating on Brilliant Green and McConkey agar may be adequate. Enrichment media such as buffered peptone followed by selective broth or semi-solid media (e.g. Rappaport-Vassiliadis) followed by plating on two selective media will greatly increase sensitivity. However this has the potential to reveal the presence of salmonellae that are irrelevant to the clinical problem under investigation. Differentiate from Pullorum/Typhoid, other enterobacteria.
Differentiate from Typhoid, Paratyphoid, paracolon, other enterobacteria, chilling and omphalitis

Management Treatment

Eradication from breeder flocks. As with other salmonellae, recovered birds are resistant to the effects of infection but may remain carriers. Vaccines are not normally used as they interfere with serological testing and elimination of carriers.

Uninfected breeders, clean nests, fumigate eggs, all-in/all-out production, good feed, competitive exclusion, care in avoiding damage to natural flora, elimination of resident infections in hatcheries, mills, breeding and grow-out farms. Routine monitoring of breeding flocks, hatcheries and feed mills is required for effective control. Infection results in a strong immune response manifest by progressive reduction in excretion of the organism and reduced disease and excretion on subsequent challenge.Good management. Chemotherapy can prolong carrier status in some circumstances.

Physical Treatment

Amoxycillin, poteniated sulponamide, tetracylines, fluoroquinolones, Sulphonamides, neomycin, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones.

Homeopathic Treatment

If birds huddle together & exhibit a White foamy diarrhoea give Calc carb+Cala phos

In Adult birds loss of appetite, weakness, greenish brown dirrhoea give Sulphur, Ipecac

Photo Gallery

Pullorum disease is an acute systemic disease in chickens and turkey poults. The infection is trans¬mitted with eggs and is commonly characterized by a white diarrhoea and high death rate, whereas adult birds are asymptomatic earners. The morbidity and the mortality rates increase about the 7th - 10th day after hatching. The affected chickens appear somnolent, depressed and their growth is retarded. The feathers around the vent in many chickens is stained with diarrhoeic faeces or pasted with dry faeces.

Acute fowl typhoid. The outbreaks usually begin with a sharp decline in forage consumption and egg production. The fertilization and hatchability rates are considerably reduced. Diarrhoea appears. The death rate in acute fowl typhoid is high and varies between 10% and 90%. About 1/3 of chickens hatched from eggs from typhoid-infected flocks die. A characteristic lesion for acute fowl typhoid in adult birds is the enlarged and bronze greenish tint of liver.

Ureters are often filled with urates. For confirmation of the diagnosis, 5. pullorum should be isolated and typed. Pullorum disease must be differentiated from other salmonelloses, E. coli infections, Aspergillus that produces similar pulmonary lesions. Staphylococcus aureus, causing arthrites etc. Sometimes, the pulmonary nodes resemble the tumours in Marek's disease.

Chronic fowl typhoid. The lesions are primarily in the gonads. The ovaries are affected by inflammatory and degenerative changes.

To keep the hatchery free of Aspergillus the following measures can be followed

2011-12-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection of the respiratory tract in young birds, also commonly known as ‘brooder pneumonia’. In infected birds, the air sacs and lungs show white to yellow spots or lesions. Infected birds gasp for air and have accelerated breathing. Aspergillosis can also result in severe eye (and even brain) infection, which can appear as a yellow cheesy pellet beneath the eyelid. Increased mortality rates of 5 to 50 % may occur within 21 days after the placement of diseased birds.

Day-old chicks with signs of Aspergillosis are infected by the spores of Aspergillus species, among which Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common. The spores of the fungus Aspergillus are like small, dry seeds that can easily be spread by draught or the wind. The spores are found in low numbers throughout the whole environment. Aspergillus spores survive and grow in a wide range of conditions, but especially on organic matter, like egg yolk, cardboard boxes and wood. Growth in the spores is initiated by conditions of high humidity and temperature (37 - 45 ˚C). Cycles of high and low humidity optimise the growth of the fungus (mycelium) and the spread of its spores. The hatchery therefore provides optimum environmental conditions for Aspergillus to thrive.

Aspergillus spores can enter the hatchery either directly via the eggs, or via incoming air.

When the hatchery environment is contaminated by a high level of Aspergillus, the spores can easily enter the air handling unit and ventilation system. The climate, temperature and humidity in ventilation ducts is ideal for the propagation of Aspergillus, especially when organic matter (debris) has accumulated.

The main route into the hatchery for Aspergillus spores however, is usually via contaminated eggs. Aspergillus spores attached to the shell find their way into the albumen and yolk via hairlines or cracks in the shell. The yolk of the egg is an ideal substrate for the growth of Aspergillus and once the spores have entered the eggs, the way to the hatchery is open.

The nests also contain several sources of Aspergillus, including bedding, manure and feed. The nest eggs therefore become contaminated by contact with Aspergillus spores from these sources. Floor eggs also, of course, have a high risk of being heavily contaminated, when the spores enter the egg via hairline and other cracks.

Initially, infection by Aspergillus will be found during the routine analysis of unhatched eggs. Infected eggs show a visible mould on the membrane in the air cell (see picture). The risk of a serious bloom of Aspergillus is high when 0.5 % of the hatching eggs show clear infection with a visible growth of the fungus. Also, the frequency of embryos dying at about day 16 is higher then expected.

Advice A

Prevention is of course the first line of action. To prevent Aspergillus infection in the hatchery, the following measures are recommended:

Use Hatchery Recording Forms to ensure that the origin of eggs is traceable.

Do not incubate floor eggs.

Do not incubate cracked eggs or eggs with hairlines.

Avoid wooden walls, ceilings or surfaces in the hatchery, since Aspergillus thrives well on wooden surfaces,.

Analyse unhatched eggs on a regular basis - and if infected eggs are found, take measures to trace the sources of Aspergillus (see B).

Ensure your hatchery sanitation programme is fully maintained. If moulds are found, take immediate measures to clean the hatchery (see B).

Ensure that your hatchery sanitation programme includes the cleaning and disinfection of ventilation ducts.

Remember that hatchery equipment must be free of all organic matter before disinfection. It makes no sense to disinfect equipment, trays or boxes when debris remains stuck to the surfaces.

Advice B

If Aspergillus has been found in the hatchery the following is recommended:

Thoroughly clean and disinfect the hatchery - including ventilation ducts - with an effective fungicide. If necessary, ask your supplier for advice on the most effective solution.

Apply the fungicide at a regular interval because the spores of Aspergillus species are highly resistant to fungicides. Any surviving spores will develop into a mature spore-producing mould , thus the fungicide should be applied before this stage of development is reached.

Trace and eliminate the source of the Aspergillus spores, the main source of which is usually found at the breeder farm in the (wooden) nestboxes, litter, cardboard boxes and wooden walls or ceilings.

Aspergillosis in Poultry - Photo Gallery

2011-12-10T02:00:00.000-08:00

Photo Gallery:

1.Aspergillosis Is An Acute Or Chronic Respiratory Disease. In Rare Instances, Peritoneal, Visceral Or Systemic Lesions Could Be Observed. It Is Caused By Aspergillus Fumigatus. Dyspnea, Enhanced, Tense And Heavy Breathing Are Observed. Sometimes, Rales And Cyanosis Could Occur.

2.In The Acute Form, A Serous Fibrinous Pneumonia Is Observed. Within The Trachea And The Main Bronchi, Usually Near The Bifurcation, Obturation Masses Of Coagulated Fibrinous Exudate Are Detected.

3.4.In The Nodular Form, Multiple Grey Whitish Or Yellowish Dense Nodes In The Lungs Are Observed (379 And 380). Chickens, Turkeys, Waterfowl And Many Other Domestic Or Wild Fowl Are Susceptible.

5.6.7.Aspergillus Granulomas Of The Serous Coats: Pectoral (381), Abdominal Air Sacs (32) And Pleural (383), Are Sometimes Compressed. The Infection Could Occur Inside (Incu¬Batory Aspergillosis)Or Outside The Hatchery. Aspergillus Fumigatus Penetrates Through The Egg Shell Under Ideal Conditions For Development And Infects The Embryos. The Eggs Explode And Release A Significant Number Of Spores That Contaminate The Hatchery And The Environment. The Spores Are Spread Via The Venti¬Lation System That Results In Severe Outbreaks In Chickens Younger Than 3 Weeks. Outside The Hatchery, The Infection Occurs By Inhalation Of Numerous Spores From The Contaminated Forage, Litter Or Environment. The Overcrowding And The Increased Humidity Are Prerequisites For Outbreaks.

8.Rarely, As A Systemic Manifestation, Aspergillus Granulomas In The Brain Could Be Detected, When Spores Are Transported Via The Blood Circulation.

9.The Signs And Macroscopic Lesions Are Very Indicative For Aspergillosis. They Could Be Confirmed By Histology Too. In Acute Aspergillosis, Among The Inflammatory Necrotic Masses, The Spores Are Observed (Arrow A) As Well As The Grown Hyphae (Arrow B) Of The Mould.

10. 11.. In The Nodular Form, A Characteristic Aspergillus Granulomatous Structure Of Tissues Is Discovered (386 And 387). The Control Includes: Collection Of Clean Eggs For Hatching, Disinfection And Fumigation Of Eggs, Incubators And Hatcheries, Regular Checking Of Ventilation Systems And Change Of Air Filtres In Hatcheries, Monitoring Of Hatcheries And The Environment For Mould Contamination, Use Of Dry And Clean Litter And Non-Contaminated Forages, Optimization Of Aeration And The Humidity In Premises Where Birds Are Housed. The Treatment With Fungicide Antibiotics And Different Antimycotic Drugs Is Not Always Efficient. Nistatin And Copper Sulfate (1:2000) With Drinking Water Could Be Used.

12. Mould Is Developed After Inoculation Of Material On An Appropriate Nutrient Media.

13. Asperagellosis - Lung Nodules

14. Aspergillosis, Brooder Pneumonia Lesions In A Chick.

15. Opened Left Abdominal Air-Sac Of Hen

Menacanthus stramineus

2011-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Menacanthus stramineus

Summary

Type: Chewing Lice

Zoonotic: No

Definitive Hosts: Birds

Inf Site: Skin (Epidermis)
Dx Tech: Direct Observation
Dx Stage: Adult with 6 Legs, Nymph with 6 Legs, Eggs("nits") on Hairs
Size: Macroscopic
Tran Mode: Direct Contact

Life Cycle

Lice undergo an incomplete metamorphosis which takes place entirely on the host within a period of 3-5 weeks. The eggs, commonly called "nits", are glued to the feathers of the host. The young lice develop through several nymphal stages, during which they look like small, pale adults. Nymphs and adults are transmitted from one animal to another primarily by host contact.

Taxonomy

Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Mallophaga
Suborder Amblycera

Diagnosis

Restlessness and anemia are two of the most outstanding clinical signs that should suggest pediculosis. Adults are small (up to 3.3 mm in length), with heads which are rounded anteriorly. The mouthparts are ventral and the claws are small. Careful examination of the skin and feathers of infested animals will reveal yellowish lice and their eggs which have distinctive filaments on the operculum and anterior half of the shell. Nits are laid in clusters.

Clinical Information

Chewing lice feed by nibbling on the feathers and epidermal debris, although some of them ingest blood by piercing the pulp of feathers or gnawing through the epidermis. Chewing lice annoy their hosts primarily by irritating the skin surface. A few lice are generally well tolerated, whereas large numbers may cause severe irritation, resulting in self-trauma. In general, lice are much more of a problem in young or debilitated animals than in older, well-nourished animals. A heavy louse infestation may itself be merely a symptom of some other underlying condition, such as malnutrition or chronic disease; debilitated animals often do not groom themselves and leave the lice undisturbed.

Images

Cuclotogaster heterographus (Head Louse)

2011-12-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Cuclotogaster heterographus

SUMMARY

Type: Chewing Lice

Zoonotic: No

Definitive Hosts: Birds

Inf Site: Skin (Epidermis)
Dx Tech: Direct Observation
Dx Stage: Adult with 6 Legs, Nymph with 6 Legs, Eggs("nits") on Hairs
Size: Macroscopic
Tran Mode: Direct Contact

Life Cycle

Lice undergo an incomplete metamorphosis which takes place entirely on the host within a period of 3-5 weeks. The eggs, commonly called "nits", are glued to the hairs or feathers of the host one at a time. Young lice leave the eggs by sucking air into their bodies and expelling it from the anus until they create a cushion of compressed air sufficient to pop open the lid of the egg. The young lice develop through several nymphal stages, during which they look like small, pale adults. Nymphs and adults are transmitted from one animal to another primarily by host contact.

Taxonomy

Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Mallophaga
Suborder Ischnocera
Family Philopteridae

Diagnosis

Restlessness and anemia are two of the most outstanding clinical signs that should suggest pediculosis. Careful examination of the skin and feathers of infested birds will reveal the lice and their eggs. Adults are 2 mm in length and greyish in color with chewing mouthparts.

Clinical Information

PHOTO GALLERY AND INFORMATION:

This illustration of female and male lice, Cuclotogaster heterog

This illustration of female and male lice, Cuclotogaster heterographus shows the ventral aspect of this species (Nitzsh).
Cuclotogaster heterographus, or `chicken head louse', is a member of the group of chewing lice, which are small, flat, and wingless insects. This louse is a pest common to poultry, and feed on feathers, and scales of the skin.
CDC PHIL Image 5501

Figure 1 Cuclotogaster heterographus , ♀; Figure 2 Cuclotogaster heterographus , ♂

Injured Chicken!

2011-12-04T09:04:00.001-08:00

Injured Chicken!

When I got home today we found one of my beautiful chickens was laying injured amongst the leaves in the goat pen. She was limping on her good leg and then burrowing into the leaves. It was nice to see that one of her sisters refused to leave her side.

We brought her inside and examined her, it looked like she had a puncture wound and a possible broken leg. I put some neo-sporin on the open wound and gave her some chicken electrolytes with a bit of aspirin mixed in.

I didn't have any tongue depressors to use as a splint so I substituted some card stock as a replacement.

The card stock was covered with some vet wrap to hold it in place.

The chicken has been moved inside to Sara's kennel to see how she does. I read that injured chickens are attacked by their coop mates, I'm not sure if that is true but I don't want to take any chances.

I'm not sure if a chicken can survive a broken/injured leg, but I hope so.

Sara wants her kennel back and Patch, Mocha, and Chai Chai are very interested in our visitor, but they had better get used to it as the kennel may have to house kids and/or lambs this Spring.

Worms

2011-12-04T05:57:00.001-08:00

Other Names

Internal Parasites

Organism or Mechanism

• Ascaridia galli (roundworm)
• Capillaria bursata, C. caudinflata, C. absignata,(roundworms)
• Syngamus trachea (nematode/gapeworm)
• Heterakis gallinarum (cecal worm)
• Cestodes Davainea proglottina
• Raillietina cesticullus (tapeworms)
• trematodes (flukes)

Preventative Measures

• Keep pastures clipped and limed.
• Graze pasture one year and cut the next.
• Use good hygiene practices.
• Rotate runs and houses.
• Keep age and species groups separate.
• Stack, heat, and sterilize poultry manure and do not spread it on poultry pastures.
• Avoid surface water, avoid damp places in houses.
• Leave runs empty for a least 2 months between batches.
• Allow grass to dry after dew or rain before allowing animals to graze.

Management Treatments

• Remove infected litter and sanitize housing.
• Plow and reseed infected fields.
• If there is heavy contamination of earth-floored houses, remove the top 15-cm of soil.

Physical Treatments

• Give a 2-grain pill of santonin to each bird followed by 2 tsp. of raw linseed oil.
• For pinworms give a rectal injection of garlic, mustard, peppermint oil (1/2 tsp. oil/1 pint water), or eucalyptus (1/4 tsp./pint water) oil solution.
• Give Shakelee's Basic H surfactant administered as a solution in water.
• Use Albomar 1ml for 1 kg body weight. This is available in India.

Nutritional Treatments

• Give a laxative diet: mash of pumpkin seeds and milk after a 12 hour fast, follow with a warm mash of bran, middlings, and milk.
• Give finely chopped onions and garlic.
• Feed finely grated raw carrot, garlic, onions, and parsley.
• Feed mustard; squash or pumpkin seeds; carrot and fennel seeds.
• Add DE and charcoal to feed all preceded by a fast and followed by a laxative period.

Herbal Treatments

• Give a course of garlic for ten days (1 clove/hen/day) and add to the diet bramble leaves, elder leaves, wormwood, wormseed, cotton-lavender, rue, hyssop,
• Give powdered cayenne or senna after a fast.
• If tapeworms are very bad give 1/2 tsp. grated male fern root mixed with bran, castor oil and molasses daily.
• Give garlic (pills, powders, fresh, tinctures),wormwood (Artemisia spp.), wild ginger, snakeroot, goosefoot, conifers (pine, spruce, firs), fennel seeds, or pyrethrum all preceded by a fast and followed by a laxative period.

• Verm-X is a Natural wormer with which you can remove the internal parasites.

Homeopathic Treatments

• If worms in the nostrils or ears causes circling give Cina.
• If affected birds lose weight, ruffled feathers, rapid breathing give--Aconite,
Santonite 3x, Tucrum merver.
• Head remedy--China, GNA.

Wounds

2011-12-04T05:56:00.001-08:00

Other Names

• contusions, abrasions, cuts, bruises

Organism or Mechanism

• other birds
• roosts
• sharp edges on nest boxes or feeders.
• rats
• dogs
• rough handling

Preventative Measures

• Ensure housing is free of things that might cause injuries.
• Keep few if any roosters in laying flock.
• Do not allow children or dogs to chase birds.
• Move birds in crates when transferring to new housing.

Management Treatments

• Remove roosters or aggressive birds from flock.

Physical Treatments

• Apply hydrogen peroxide to wounds.

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

• Apply solution of 8 drops calendula tincture to 1 cup water and bathe wound 2-3 times daily.

Homeopathic Treatments

• Give Arnica 6C or Aconite 6C for early infections.
• Make Arnica lotion of 1 part Arnica tincture to 20 parts water and put a few drops in chickens mouth.
• Hypericum for crushing injuries to toes or wings.

White Egg Syndrome

2011-12-04T05:55:00.001-08:00

Other Names

• Pale egg syndrome

Organism or Mechanism

Possibly avian pneumovirus

Preventative Measures

• Prevent pecked backs by roosters and other hens.
• Do not disturb hens during lay.

Management Treatments

• Confine hens to housing during sunny weather.

Physical Treatments

Nutritional Treatments

• Give magnesium in feed.

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

Wasting

2011-12-04T05:54:00.001-08:00

Other Names

• Marasmus
• consumption

Organism or Mechanism

Preventative Measures

Management Treatments

• Purge birds with castor oil (2 tsp.) followed by a stimulating tonic of powdered fennel, anise, coriander, and cinchona (30 grains each).
• Give powdered gentian and ginger (1 dram each).
• Give powdered sulfate of iron (15 grains); mix and add to feed.

Physical Treatments

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

• Hepar sulph.
• Nat Mur

Tuberculosis

2011-12-04T05:53:00.001-08:00

Other Names

• avian TB
• avian tuberculosis

Organism or Mechanism

• Mycobacterium avium bacteria

Preventative Measures

• Do not keep chickens over 18 months.
• Rotate range.

Management Treatments

• Clean and disinfect housing and soil.

Physical Treatments

• None, cull.

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

• If muscles of breast reduced in size exposing sternum give--Tuberculinum 1M.
• If lameness & swelling of joints give--Kali phos, Rhus tox.
• If comb and wattles appear pale in color give--Alfa alfa, China.

Toxoplasmosis

2011-12-04T05:52:00.000-08:00

Other Names

Organism or Mechanism

• Toxoplasma gondii protozoan parasite

Preventative Measures

• Control feline (cat) vector.

Management Treatments

Physical Treatments

• Give venetian red 1 tsp./bird/day

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

Thrush

2011-12-04T05:50:00.000-08:00

Other Names

• Candidiasis
• sour crop
• crop mycosis

Organism or Mechanism

Candida albicans yeast-like fungus

Preventative Measures

• Practice good nutrition and sanitation.
• Regularly clean water and feed troughs.

Management Treatments

• Isolate infected birds.
• Clean and disinfect feeders/waterers.

Physical Treatments

• Flush with molasses or Epson salts, followed by 1/2 tsp. copper sulfate (powdered bluestone) per gallon of drinking water every other day for 5 days served in a nonmetal waterer.
• Clean mouth sores with hydrogen peroxide.
• Treat with copper sulfate at a dilution of 1:2,000 in drinking water or mix gentian violet in feed.

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

• Feed garlic at 2-5% in feed.

Homeopathic Treatments

• Pulsatilla.

Scaly Leg Mites

2011-12-04T05:48:00.001-08:00

Other Names

Organism or Mechanism

Knemidocoptes mutans

Preventative Measures

• Add red and yellow cedar chips in nest boxes.

Management Treatments

• Apply pyrethrum in cracks of roosts and nest boxes.

Physical Treatments

• Soak feet in bichloride (1 to 1000) for 5-10 min., then cover with Vaseline .
• Dunk feet in surgical spirits once a week three times.
• Apply ointment of kerosene/lard/and a little sulfuric acid to legs 3X/day.
• Scrub legs with soapy water and a little ammonia then rub in a solution of garlic, brew, cayenne and vinegar in equal parts 2X/day.
• Use ParasiteX citrus oil based product.
• Scrub legs with soapy water and a little ammonia then rub well 2X daily with a strong solution of garlic, cayenne, and vinegar.
• Apply tea tree oil to feet.

Nutritional Treatments

• Feed mineral supplement with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.
• Change feed to boost iron.

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

• Give 12 pellets of Sulphur in drinking water and renew every day.

Rats

2011-12-04T05:46:00.001-08:00

Other Names

Organism or Mechanism

• Rattus rattus (black or roof rat)
• Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat)

Preventative Measures

• Block rat holes with asparagus foliage.
• Cover floors and/or walls with hardware cloth.
• Reduce access to feedstuffs.
• Employ a patrol of aggressive cats.

Management Treatments

• Scout for and cover new rat holes.
• Place snap traps or box traps in runways or along walls.

Physical Treatments

• Put out cornmeal and plaster of Paris bait.
• Try carefully managed use of organically approved rat baits as last resort.

Nutritional Treatments

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

Prolapse

2011-12-04T05:44:00.001-08:00

Other Names

• dropped vent
• hernia

Organism or Mechanism

• Vent protruding due to egg retention
• Disease of the reproductive system
• Degeneration of the muscular system or prolonged laying.

Preventative Measures

• Support natural laying cycles.
• Provide exercise.
• Don’t push pullets to lay too early.

Management Treatments

Physical Treatments

• Massage the protruding organ with grease and carefully press it back into position.
• Place a pad of cotton soaked with witch hazel and bind tightly.
• Wash the protruding organ in lukewarm water or milk, anoint with linseed oil or sweet oil and gently force it back into the body. Repeat several times.

Nutritional Treatments

• Fast for 1 day, then feed a very light diet of greens, bran mash, molasses and buttermilk. Stop feeding seaweed during treatment.

Herbal Treatments

Homeopathic Treatments

• Treat with a dose of Aconite if organ is put back in.
• Treat with Pulsatilla or Nux vomica when external treatment is not used.
• Podophyllum if losts of straining
• Sepia or Silica