1. Poultry Improvement Project Viral Diseases and Non Infectious Diseases

2. 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.

3. Marek’s Disease • Prevention • Vaccination. • Antibiotics do not work on viral diseases.

4. Newcastle Disease • Causes and Symptoms • Caused by a virus. • Symptoms include sneezing and droopiness, muscular incoordination (neck and legs), tremors, paralysis.

5. Newcastle Disease • Diagnosis and Prevention • Diagnosis is a serum neutralization test. • Prevention is a vaccination.

6. Fowl Pox • Symptoms • Symptoms are small to yellow blisters on comb and wattles which will scab over.

7. Fowl Pox • Diagnosis and Prevention • Diagnosis is identification of the virus. • Prevention is with a vaccine.

8. Infectious Bronchitis • Causes and Symptoms • Caused by a virus. • Symptoms include tracheitis, sneezing, coughing, crackly breathing, and watery eyes.

9. Infectious Bronchitis • Diagnosis and Prevention • Diagnosis by isolation of the virus. • Prevention is immunization(vaccinate) with a live virus.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.