Chicken Diseases

By Skumar -

 

Chicken Diseases (Poultry)

Introduction

Poultry farming plays an important role in animal husbandry. Diseases in chicken cause heavy economic losses due to mortality, reduced growth, poor egg production and treatment cost. Knowledge of common chicken diseases is essential for students, farmers and competitive examinations.

Classification of Chicken Diseases

Chicken diseases are broadly classified into:

  1. Viral diseases

  2. Bacterial diseases

  3. Parasitic diseases

  4. Fungal diseases

  5. Nutritional deficiency diseases

1. Viral Diseases of Chicken

1. Newcastle Disease (Ranikhet Disease)

  • Cause: Virus (Paramyxovirus)

  • Symptoms:

    • Greenish diarrhea

    • Twisting of neck (torticollis)

    • Respiratory distress

    • Sudden death

  • Transmission: Air, feed, water

  • Prevention: Regular vaccination

2. Fowl Pox

  • Cause: Pox virus

  • Symptoms:

    • Wart-like lesions on comb and wattles

    • Reduced feed intake

    • Drop in egg production

  • Prevention: Fowl pox vaccine

3. Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD / Gumboro)

  • Cause: Virus

  • Affected Age: 3–6 weeks

  • Symptoms:

    • Depression

    • White diarrhea

    • Swollen bursa

  • Prevention: Vaccination and biosecurity

2. Bacterial Diseases of Chicken

1. Fowl Cholera

  • Cause: Pasteurella multocida

  • Symptoms:

    • Sudden death

    • Fever

    • Greenish diarrhea

  • Prevention: Vaccination and sanitation

2. Pullorum Disease

  • Cause: Salmonella pullorum

  • Symptoms:

    • White diarrhea in chicks

    • Pasted vent

    • High chick mortality

  • Control: Test and cull infected birds

3. Parasitic Diseases of Chicken

1. Coccidiosis

  • Cause: Eimeria species

  • Symptoms:

    • Bloody diarrhea

    • Weakness

    • Poor growth

  • Prevention: Coccidiostats, dry litter management

2. External Parasites

  • Examples: Lice, mites, ticks

  • Symptoms:

    • Itching

    • Feather loss

    • Reduced egg production

  • Control: Insecticide spray and cleanliness

4. Fungal Diseases of Chicken

Aspergillosis (Brooder Pneumonia)

  • Cause: Aspergillus fungus

  • Symptoms:

    • Respiratory distress

    • Gasping

    • High chick mortality

  • Prevention: Avoid moldy feed and litter

5. Nutritional Deficiency Diseases

1. Vitamin A Deficiency

  • Symptoms:

    • Weakness

    • Eye lesions

    • Reduced growth

2. Vitamin D Deficiency

  • Symptoms:

    • Rickets

    • Soft bones

3. Vitamin E Deficiency

  • Symptoms:

    • Crazy chick disease

    • Nervous signs

General Prevention and Control Measures

  • Regular vaccination schedule

  • Proper biosecurity

  • Clean housing and dry litter

  • Balanced nutrition

  • Clean drinking water

  • Isolation of sick birds

One Line Important Answers (Exam Ready)

  • Ranikhet disease is caused by a virus

  • Coccidiosis causes bloody diarrhea

  • Pullorum disease causes white diarrhea in chicks

  • Aspergillosis is a fungal disease

Vaccination Schedule for Chicken

Age of Bird
Disease
Vaccine Name
Route of Vaccination
Remarks
Day 1
Marek’s Disease
Marek’s vaccine
Subcutaneous (neck)
Hatchery level
5–7 days
Newcastle Disease (Ranikhet)
Lasota / B1
Eye drop / Drinking water
Mandatory
14 days
Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD – Gumboro)
IBD vaccine
Drinking water
Broilers & layers
21 days
Newcastle Disease
Lasota
Drinking water
Booster dose
28 days
IBD (Booster)
IBD vaccine
Drinking water
Improves immunity
6–8 weeks
Fowl Pox
Fowl pox vaccine
Wing web method
Backyard poultry
8–10 weeks
Newcastle Disease (R2B)
R2B vaccine
Intramuscular / Subcutaneous
Long-term immunity
16–18 weeks
Newcastle Disease
R2B / Lasota
Intramuscular
Before laying

Conclusion

Chicken diseases can be effectively controlled by proper management, vaccination and hygiene. Early diagnosis and preventive measures are key to successful poultry farming and reduced economic losses.



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