Poultry Improvement Project
Viral Diseases and Non Infectious
Diseases
Marek’s Disease
• Causes and Symptoms
• Caused by the Herpes virus.
• Symptoms are sudden death, loss of weight,
diarrhea, paralysis of legs or wings. Skin lesions
may occur as young as 5 to 8 weeks.
Marek’s Disease
• Prevention
• Vaccination.
• Antibiotics do not work on viral diseases.
Newcastle Disease
• Causes and Symptoms
• Caused by a virus.
• Symptoms include sneezing and droopiness,
muscular incoordination (neck and legs), tremors,
paralysis.
Newcastle Disease
• Diagnosis and Prevention
• Diagnosis is a serum neutralization test.
• Prevention is a vaccination.
Fowl Pox
• Symptoms
• Symptoms are small to yellow blisters on comb and
wattles which will scab over.
Fowl Pox
• Diagnosis and Prevention
• Diagnosis is identification of the virus.
• Prevention is with a vaccine.
Infectious Bronchitis
• Causes and Symptoms
• Caused by a virus.
• Symptoms include tracheitis, sneezing, coughing,
crackly breathing, and watery eyes.
Infectious Bronchitis
• Diagnosis and Prevention
• Diagnosis by isolation of the virus.
• Prevention is immunization(vaccinate) with a live
virus.
Cannibalism
• Non infectious disease that occurs in fowl
raised in captivity.
• Includes vent picking, toe picking, and head
picking.
• Vent Picking
– is the severest form of cannibalism and is usually seen in
pullets in high production. It’s caused by a prolaps or
tearing of tissue around the vent.
Toe and Head Picking
• Toe picking may be brought on by hunger
and is seen in young chicks.
• Head picking usually follows injuries to the
comb and wattles caused by freezing or
fighting.
Fatty Liver Syndrome
• Excess fat surrounds the liver and body
cavities.
• Usually affects caged birds but may affect
floor birds of the heavier (meat) breeds.
• Prevention
• TIP-Putting waterers and feeders on opposite sides
of the house to allow for exercise may reduce fatty
liver syndrome.
• Also, not over feeding protein may help.
Pendulous Crop
• Found among chickens 2-3 months of age.
• Condition may be caused by irregular
feeding and by over consumption of feed or
water at one time.
• Always keep plenty of fresh, clean water in
front of chickens.
Hysteria
• Excessive fright (usually only in young
pullets or layers).
• If on the floor, they will pile into the corners
and injure themselves. Death in large
numbers often results.
• Keeping a light on the birds at all times and
not scaring the birds may provide some
prevention.