Common Conditions

of Backyard Poultry

with a dash of

Biosecurity!Fifth Annual Indiana Small Farm Conference March 3rd,

2017

Geoffrey Lossie, DVM

http://www.hcn.org/issues/43.1/small-poultry-farmers-grapple-with-lack-of-

slaughterhouses/farm_4.jpg/image

http://agr.georgia.gov/img/backyard-

poultry-farmers.jpg

Today’s Topics

Overview Biosecurity and why it is

important

Common conditions encountered raising

backyard/small commercial operation

poultry.

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atchery.com/images/glob

al/bu/buff_orpingtons_th

umb_large_popup.jpg

Biosecurity!

Biosecurity: Practices and techniques used to prevent

disease introduction into a flock.

How do you practice

Biosecurity?

Quarantine all incoming birds for minimum of three

weeks

Isolate sick birds: and if necessary cull them

Avoid contact with poultry and livestock (swine).

Dispose of dead birds properly

Do not co-mingle species

https://cdn.compliancesigns.com/media/parking-

control/300/No-Admittance-Entry-Sign-PKE-18291_300.gif

Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Biosecurity steps continued! Limit visitors to your flock

Have visitors wear CLEAN clothing and

footwear

Use a foot bath or plastic boots for

visitors

Wash hands after handling birds

Don’t share equipment (Ideal) or make

sure completely cleaned and sanitized

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oducts/12/AC159903l.jpg

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Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Top 10- give or take!

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lt/files/fluChicken.jpg

• Aka “chronic respiratory disease”

• Reported in partridge, pheasants, quail, guinea fowl, ducks & pigeons

• All ages

• No “cure,” infected become carriers

• Recurrence during high stress

• Horizontal & Vertical spread!!

• Wild birds (House Finches)

MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM

• Swelling infraorbital sinuses

• Increased lacrimation and nasal discharge

• Sneezing and coughing

• ***USUALLY WHOLE FLOCK

• Causes drop in egg production in laying hens

• Drop in feed consumption & growth rate

MG

Sinusitis of MG in Turkey

Prevention/Treatment Inspect birds prior to purchase

Purchase birds from single source

(preferably one that tests for MG

regularly)

Get a diagnosis from Veterinarian

OTC antibiotics can help alleviate signs

but will not cure the bird!

If positive: 2 options: Depopulate or

keep birds knowing you will have

relapse (place other birds at risk (shows

etc))

Vaccination reduces clinical signs: not

prevent infection

Mites – Northern Fowl Mites

Dr. Eric Gingerich, Diamond

V

Ornithonyssus sylviarum

Mites – Northern Fowl Mites

Most common type of mite found on birds

The entire life cycle is completed

on the bird and consists of the egg,

larva, nymphs and adult.

Presence is indicated by black,

greasy patches of feathers around

the cloaca and vent of infested

birds.

NFM feed on blood vs lice (chew on

skin and feathers).

J. F.

Butler

http://veterinaryentomology.ucr.edu/images/0

04_northern_fowl_mite_large.jpg

Red mites

Generally feed on birds at night but spend much of their

time off the bird and lay their eggs in the poultry house.

Inspection of birds at night is usually necessary to

confirm infestation.

Dermanyssus

gallinae

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erwel.org/manage

menthealth/howto

controlparasites/c

ontrollingforredmi

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Red mites Feed on bloodanemia,

resulting in a pale comb

and wattles, weakness,

dullness and reduced egg

production.

Control requires treating

cracks and crevices in the

house as well as treating

the birds.

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/liv

estock/poultry/red-mite/

Lice and nits (eggs)

Dr. Eric Gingerich, Diamond

V

http://www.curtispestcontrol.com/ot

herinsects/fl_bird_louse.jpg

Lice spend the

entire life

cycle on the

bird and can

live for several

months.

Feed on skin,

scales, and

feathers

Heavy

infestations

can cause

severe skin

irritation,

weight loss,

and reduced

egg

production.

Dr. Rob Porter, UMN

LiceEggs (nits) covering the shafts of intact feathers.

When in doubt,

pluck it out!

Dr. Rob Porter, U MN

Treatment Lice and Mites

Utilize OTC products first

For lice treat once then again in 10 days

Red Mites: Treat barn and surroundings

If parasites resist treatment seek extra label

medications (ivermectin)

Round Worms

Photos courtesy of Pat

Wakenell

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ons/contents/59_roundwormsineggs.jpg

CoccidiaProtozoal parasite – most expensive

poultry disease in the US Ubiquitous

Coccidia

Species specific

Fecal-oral transmission

Darkling beetles can be carriers

Infection self-limiting, depends on # oocysts

Outbreaks rare under 3 weeks of age

Oocysts become infective in feces in 2 days

More common in cooler, wetter weather

http://www.amentsoc.org/insect

s/glossary/terms/darkling-beetle

https://ask.extension.org/questions/154620

Coccidia treatment

Get diagnosis first! Many local vets will run fecals for

chickens! PLEASE HELP YOUR BACKYARD CHICKEN

CLIENTS

Amprol (amprolium), or other labeled poultry product is

preferred!

http://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.c

om/articles/coccidiosis-chickens-

transmission-diagnosis-and-treatment

Bumble Foot-Pododermatits

Photo

courtesy of

Pat

Wakenell

Management!

Litter type (straw, wood chips, etc)

Litter depth

Litter moisture

Perch design and height

Bird weight

Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Treatment

Soak 2-3 times daily EPSOM Salts or Massengill douche

Bandage in-between soaks

Keep dry and clean

PREVENTION IS KEY

Appropriately rough surfaces: Exfoliate!

Surgical treatment- Use line blocks!

Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Marek’s Disease

Etiology: Herpes Virus

Induces Lymphosarcoma

Title

* Most field cases seen after 8-9 weeks of age - layers commonly from 16-20 weeks up to 30 weeks of age

* Transient paralysis usually between 6-10 weeks of age

* Morbidity essentially = mortality

* Morbidity builds gradually and persists for 4-10 weeks

MD

Occurrence, Transmission, M&M, cont.

Marek’s Disease Signs

Lameness: Often unilateral

Pendulous crops

Ragged gray iris

Chronic wasting and death

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b.org/wp-

content/uploads/2012

/05/Mareks-disease-

leg-paresis.jpg

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wikimedia.org/

wikipedia/com

mons/thumb/6

/64/Ocular_Mar

ek%27s_disease

.jpg/220px-

Ocular_Marek%

27s_disease.jpg

Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell

Treatment?

Only treatment is prevention!

Purchase vaccinated chicks

Vaccinate your own chicks

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g

Cannibalism

https://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-

industry/management/forums/vent-

pecking-broilers-t5300/124-p0.htm

Cannibalism

Management issue!

Proper feed amount

Proper feed ingredients

Bird Density

Environment (stress and lighting)

Laying problems

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Sealer/dp/B000BZ1JKY

Treatment

Respect withdrawal periods (time after treatment

where meat and egg is not safe for consumption) –

different for eggs and meat, check labels

General rule, DO NOT USE DRUGS THAT ARE NOT

LABELED FOR POULTRY!

Some birds are sensitive to certain drugs – ivermectin

will kill quail!

Recommend 30 day withdrawal time if no established

withdrawal time.

DRUG NO NO’s

BAYTRIL!!!!!!!!!!!

METRONIDAZOLE

Arsenical compounds

SEVEN dust

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47636-155/dr-pol-loves-animals-

but-do