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TRANSCRIPT
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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858/products/57_a1151cfd-3f57-4235-
b576-4859d1f459be.jpg?v=1467411259
Photo courtesy of Pat Wakenell
Top 10- give or take!
http://patientadvocates.com/sites/defau
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
http://www.feath
erwel.org/manage
menthealth/howto
controlparasites/c
ontrollingforredmi
te
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
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publicati
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
http://www.poultryhu
b.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012
/05/Mareks-disease-
leg-paresis.jpg
http://upload.
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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wysiwyg/istock_000006190127_medium.jp
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
http://www.amazon.com/Bonide-225-16-Ounce-Pruning-
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
http://www.sltrib.com/home/27
47636-155/dr-pol-loves-animals-
but-do