Major and Common Diseases In Chicken

Major and Common Diseases In Chicken

1. Newcastle Disease (ND)

About the Disease:
Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral illness caused by the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), affecting poultry and other bird species. It can cause severe respiratory, digestive, and nervous system issues, with high mortality rates. Strains vary in severity:

  • Lentogenic: Mild
  • Mesogenic: Moderate
  • Velogenic: Severe and often fatal

Vaccine:

  • Live vaccines (Lentogenic strains like LaSota, B1) for broilers.
  • Inactivated vaccines for layers and breeders for long-term immunity.
  • Chicks usually vaccinated at 7–14 days with boosters as needed.

Symptoms:
Respiratory: Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, labored breathing.
Digestive: Greenish watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss.
Neurological: Twisted neck (torticollis), paralysis of wings/legs, tremors, circling.
Other: Sudden drop in egg production, thin/misshapen eggs, lethargy, high mortality in velogenic strains.



Antibiotics:
No cure for the virus. Antibiotics like oxytetracycline or tylosin may be used to prevent/control secondary bacterial infections.

Organic Remedy:

  • Garlic + ginger mixture in drinking water for immunity
  • Aloe vera juice to aid recovery
  • Apple cider vinegar in water for respiratory health

Prevention:

  • Vaccination schedule adherence
  • Isolate new birds before flock introduction
  • Restrict poultry house access and disinfect equipment
  • Provide good nutrition and clean water

2. Infectious Coryza

About the Disease:
A highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, leading to economic losses from reduced egg production and poor growth.



Vaccine:
Available and effective for reducing outbreaks.

Symptoms:

  • Swollen sinuses, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
  • Reduced activity, poor appetite, isolation from flock
  • Swollen face/wattles, foul nasal discharge, conjunctivitis
  • Decline in egg production or misshapen eggs

Antibiotics:
Sulfonamides, erythromycin, or oxytetracycline (use under vet guidance to avoid resistance).

Organic Remedy:

  • Mix 30ml lemon juice + 30ml honey + 8g garlic + 8g ginger + 240ml water
  • Give individually by spoon/syringe morning and evening for 7 days
  • Apply Vaseline on swollen eyes to reduce irritation

Prevention:

  • Vaccinate flocks
  • Maintain strict hygiene and quarantine new birds
  • Proper ventilation and avoid overcrowding

3. Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)

About the Disease:
A viral infection affecting young chickens (3–6 weeks old), attacking the bursa of Fabricius and weakening the immune system. Caused by IBDV.

Vaccine:

  • Broilers: usually vaccinated at 14–21 days
  • Breeder hens: vaccinated to pass maternal immunity

Symptoms:

  • Depression, ruffled feathers, reluctance to move
  • Whitish watery diarrhea, dehydration
  • Swollen or hemorrhagic bursa (post-mortem)
  • Sudden death in severe cases

Antibiotics:
No cure; only supportive antibiotics for secondary infections.

Organic Remedy:

  • Aloe vera water for immune boost
  • Molasses water for energy
  • Garlic + ginger mixture to fight infections

Prevention:

  • Vaccination program adherence
  • Disinfect poultry houses between flocks
  • Minimize contact with outside birds/equipment
  • Good litter management and nutrition

4. Marek’s Disease

About the Disease:
Marek’s Disease is a highly contagious viral illness in chickens caused by the Marek’s Disease Virus (MDV), a type of herpesvirus. It primarily targets the nervous system, immune system, and sometimes the eyes and skin. It can appear in different forms, each causing unique symptoms.



Forms of Marek’s Disease:

  • Neurological (Classical) Form: Paralysis of legs, wings, or neck; uncoordinated movement.
  • Ocular Form: Changes in eye color (grey eye), irregular pupils, blindness.
  • Cutaneous Form: White or raised skin lesions around feather follicles.
  • Visceral Form: Tumors in organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, gonads) leading to sudden death.

Transmission:
Spread through infected chicken dander and dust; inhalation of virus particles. The virus survives long in the environment.

Vaccine:

  • Chicks vaccinated on their first day of life or in ovo before hatching.
  • Vaccine reduces severity but does not prevent infection.

Symptoms:

  • Paralysis or difficulty walking
  • Weight loss, depression, lethargy
  • Decreased egg production
  • Enlarged nerves (visible in severe cases)

Antibiotics:
No cure, as it is viral. Supportive antibiotics can help control secondary infections.

Organic Remedies:

  • Boost immunity with garlic + ginger in drinking water
  • Aloe vera juice for recovery support
  • Apple cider vinegar to strengthen general resistance

Prevention:

  • Vaccination at hatchery
  • Strict biosecurity: limit visitors, sanitize equipment, isolate new birds
  • Select breeds with genetic resistance

5. Fowl Cholera

About the Disease:
A contagious bacterial disease caused by Pasteurella multocida, affecting chickens, turkeys, and other birds. It can occur suddenly and lead to high mortality.

Vaccine:
Fowl cholera vaccines are available for flocks in high-risk areas.

Symptoms:

  • Swollen wattles
  • Greenish diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Respiratory issues such as coughing and nasal discharge

Antibiotics:
Sulfa drugs, tetracyclines, or penicillin (as prescribed by a vet).

Organic Remedies:

  • Garlic and turmeric mixture in feed for natural antibacterial effects
  • Aloe vera water to help recovery

Prevention:

  • Vaccination programs
  • Good sanitation and rodent control (rodents can spread the bacteria)
  • Quarantine new birds before flock introduction

6. Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

About the Disease:
A viral disease affecting domestic and wild birds, caused by influenza type A viruses. Highly pathogenic strains can cause severe illness and high death rates.

Vaccine:
In some regions, vaccines are used under government control; not always available for small-scale farms.

Symptoms:

  • Coughing, sneezing
  • Swollen head
  • Purple discoloration of wattles and comb
  • Sudden high mortality

Antibiotics:
No cure, as it is viral. Antibiotics may be given to control secondary bacterial infections.

Organic Remedies:

  • Boost flock immunity with garlic, ginger, and apple cider vinegar
  • Provide warm, clean housing to reduce stress

Prevention:

  • Strict biosecurity: prevent contact with wild birds
  • Immediate isolation of sick birds
  • Report suspected cases to veterinary authorities

7. Coccidiosis

About the Disease:
A parasitic intestinal disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria. It spreads through contaminated litter, feed, or water. Common in crowded, humid poultry houses.

Vaccine:
Live attenuated vaccines for breeders and layers.

Symptoms:

  • Bloody or watery diarrhea
  • Weight loss, dehydration
  • Ruffled feathers, lethargy
  • Poor growth, reduced egg production
  • High mortality in severe outbreaks

Antibiotics/Anticoccidials:

  • Amprolium, toltrazuril, or Coccidiosis ESB3 30% in feed/water
  • Supportive care with vitamins and electrolytes

Organic Remedies:

  • Pawpaw leaves + aloe vera juice in water
  • Garlic to reduce intestinal infections

Prevention:

  • Keep litter dry and clean
  • Rotate anticoccidial drugs to prevent resistance
  • Minimize overcrowding

8. Lymphoid Leukosis

About the Disease:
A chronic viral disease caused by avian leukosis virus (ALV). It affects lymphoid tissues and can cause tumors in internal organs. Spread vertically (from hen to egg) and horizontally (bird to bird).

Vaccine:
No commercial vaccine available.

Symptoms:

  • Chronic wasting, poor growth
  • Reduced egg production
  • Enlarged liver, spleen, or bursa of Fabricius
  • Tumors in organs
  • Lethargy, pale combs, low feed intake

Antibiotics:
No cure, as it is viral. Supportive care only.

Organic Remedies:

  • Immune-boosting herbs like garlic and aloe vera
  • Molasses water for energy in sick birds

Prevention:

  • Maintain strict hygiene
  • Remove infected birds from breeding flocks
  • Breed for genetic resistance
  • Avoid introducing infected stock.

6. Fowl Pox

About:
A viral disease caused by Avipoxvirus, with dry (skin lesions) and wet (mouth/throat lesions) forms.

Vaccine:

  • Live fowl pox vaccine via wing-web stab at 6–10 weeks.

Symptoms:

  • Scabs on combs, wattles, eyelids, legs (dry)
  • Difficulty breathing/swallowing (wet)
  • Weight loss, drop in egg production

Antibiotics:

  • For secondary infections only.

Organic Remedies:

  • Mosquito control
  • Apply antiseptics to lesions

7. Pullorum Disease

About:
A bacterial disease caused by Salmonella pullorum, deadly to chicks.

Vaccine:

  • None; focus is on testing and culling carriers.

Symptoms:

  • White diarrhea
  • Ruffled feathers
  • High chick mortality
  • Weakness and loss of appetite

Antibiotics:

  • Rarely used; eradication preferred.

Organic Remedies:

  • Strict sanitation and testing breeder flocks

8. Salmonellosis

About:
Bacterial infection by Salmonella species affecting chickens and humans.

Vaccine:

  • Available in some regions.

Symptoms:

  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness
  • Drop in egg production

Antibiotics:

  • Tetracyclines

Organic Remedies:

  • Clean water and environment
  • Control rodents

9. Aspergillosis

About:
A fungal respiratory disease caused by Aspergillus molds.

Vaccine:

  • None.

Symptoms:

  • Respiratory distress
  • Weight loss
  • Lethargy

Antibiotics:

  • None; antifungals like itraconazole for valuable birds.

Organic Remedies:

  • Keep litter dry and mold-free

10. Worm Infestations

About:
Caused by intestinal worms (roundworms, tapeworms, etc.) in chickens.

Vaccine:

  • None.

Symptoms:

  • Weight loss
  • Reduced egg production
  • Diarrhea

Antibiotics (Anthelmintics):

  • Piperazine
  • Levamisole

Organic Remedies:

  • Garlic in feed
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Rotational grazing

11. Mycoplasmosis

About:
A chronic bacterial respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

Vaccine:

  • Available for breeders and layers.

Symptoms:

  • Nasal discharge
  • Swollen sinuses
  • Coughing

Antibiotics:

  • Tylosin
  • Tetracyclines

Organic Remedies:

  • Isolate sick birds
  • Improve ventilation

12. Fowl Typhoid

About:
A bacterial disease caused by Salmonella Gallinarum.

Vaccine:

  • Available for prevention.

Symptoms:

  • Yellowish diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite

Antibiotics:

  • Chloramphenicol
  • Amoxicillin

Organic Remedies:

  • Good hygiene
  • Regular culling of carriers

Kenneth Malenge 

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