Health Issues and Combs
Parasites – looks like black mould (scaly leg mite). Smother comb with petroleum jelly to suffocate mites. Reapply over several days.
Fowl cholera – Purple comb, along with swollen wattle, temperature, coughing, ruffled feathers, lameness.
Favus – fungal condition. Also known as white comb or avian ringworm. Grey white patches on the comb may look like it has been dusted with flour. Can thicken up to form a wrinkled crust that smells mouldy.
Coccidiosis – Parasite that infects the intestine of chicks and pullets (4-16 weeks old) or new birds coming into the flock. Comb will be pale, blood in droppings, sitting fluffed up, dropping wings, death.
Avian Flu
Not in NZ but worth keeping an eye out for.
Swollen blue comb and wattles
dark red and white spots on comb and legs
sudden and unexplained death
rapid spread through flock
drop in egg production
nervousness
loss of appetite
coughing, sneezing
diarrhoea
Can kill a large flock in just a few days
Report and suspicion to MPI 0800 80 99 66
Fowl Pox (Avian Pox)
Is most prevalent during October-February
Virus is carried by mosquitos and other biting insects. More common in free range birds. Not thought to be transmitted to other species (e.g game birds)
Symptoms
Dry pox:
Most common
Shows on unfeathered parts of the bird (face and comb) Wart like growths that form black scabs. Can be in a cluster or spread around the face
Wet pox – yellow or white pustules inside mouth and throat that can affect breathing and swallowing. More likely to be mortal or cause blindness than dry pox.
Other symptoms depression, lack of appetite poor growth, drop in egg production.
No cure
Prevention:
Vaccine available More prevalent in warmer tempertures (north of Taupo) so vaccine is more common in those areas.
Eliminate mosquito breeding areas
ensure clean, fresh water and containers
prevent puddles and muddy areas in warmer months
Avoid getting birds from northern regions where the disease is more common
quarantine new birds for 2 weeks. Ensure clean footwar and wash hands when moving from new flock to old.
Marek’s Disease
Also know as new pullet disease, range paralysis, grey eye
Typically affects young birds 10-25 weeks old. Most susceptable for the first month of life of contracting it.
25% mortality rate.
Viral disease fromt he Herpes family
Named after Hungarian vet József Marek.
Vaccine has been available since 1970. However only for large commercial flocks as it comes in a minium 1000 dose. This is because the vaccine needs to be stored in liquid nitrogen, one mixed it must be used within 2 hours, it must be on one day old chicks. It takes 2 weeks for immunity to develope so chicks must be isolated from main flock and possible contamination
“If you chicken breathes it has been exposed to Marek’s” – the disease is more common than you think.
Not transmitted via the egg but rather via shed skin particles and feather cells. THe disease suppresses the immunity increasing susceptability to other diseases.
Can incubate for up to 3 months
No cure available. Birds who survive the disease will be immune.
Some breeds such as silkies and white leghorns are more susceptable. Also more susceptable if there is contamination in the environment or they have had a previous immune lowering condition.
Symptoms
Note: Symptoms could be a sign of other disease.
Mortality may occure with no symptoms present.
Immuce suppression means the birds are more prone to secondary infection such as coccidiosis or blackhead
Nerves are affected to the birds head may appear bent and twisted to one side.
Iris of the eye may appear grey and pupil distorted.
Paralysis noteabley one leg forward and one leg back. May drag one wing.
Rescue Birds
Are more vulnerable to infections as they lack immunity.
Pests
External pests: Red mite, Scaly Leg Mite, Poultry Lice, Pultry r Cat Fleas, Ticks
Internal Parasites: Round Worm, Gape Worm, Tape worm, Caecal worm
Protozoan Infections – Coccidiosis Blackhead
Mammals – Rats, Mice, Stoats
Other Insects – Lesser Meal Worm Beetle, Ants, Spiders, Mosquitoes, Flies
Mites and Lice
Redmites live in the coop and can be difficult to get rid of. Spread by wild birds
Mite eggs can survive up to two years int he environment
Ripcord is effective as is Neem Oil – spray the coop, nests, perches.
Scaly Leg Mite
Burrow under the Leg scales
Suffocate with petroleum jelly spread over the legs. Use an old toothbrush to get into crevices. Repeat every day or two for over a week.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Improves gut health but there is not scientific evidence that it is a cure for worms. Add 5ml to 5 litres of water a couple of days each month. No more than this as vinegar will kill off good bacteria as well as bad.
Garlic Juice Spray – for Mites
Peel and crush cloves, juice and filter through a coffee filter. 10 ml juice to 100ml water. Spray on birds skin once a week. THis will reduce but not exterminate mites.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Causes desiccation of the outer layer of an insects body. Not effective on internal parasites however applied to the skin or surfaces of the coop are effective.