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#Post#: 14--------------------------------------------------
Uncommon Chicken Diseases
By: AdoptingChicks Date: March 5, 2012, 8:40 am
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Diagnosing diseases in chickens can be tricky because several of
them share common symptoms. You should always call your vet at
the first sign of illness, but there are a few symptoms of the
uncommon chicken diseases you might recognize in your own flock.
Types
There are 4 main categories of disease in chickens. They are
genetic, dietary, bacterial and viral. Most diseases you will
encounter in your flock will fall under one of these groups.
Genetic
Two uncommon diseases caused by genetics are Ascites and Sudden
Acute Death Syndrome (SADS). Both diseases are a result of
breeding for rapid weight gain. There is no treatment for
either, and both are fatal. With SADS, your chicken will fall
over dead with a sudden onset heart attack, usually at feeding
time. Ascites (also called "water belly") strikes when the
growth of the body surpasses the legs' ability to hold the
weight. Fluid builds up in the abdomen, causing distension,
followed by a reluctance to move and then death.
Dietary
Most dietary disorders are caused by a lack of vitamins and
minerals. These are easily prevented and treated. Runny nose,
weakness and ruffled feathers are symptoms of most all dietary
deficiencies. Vitamin E deficiency (also caused "crazy chick
disease") will cause a rapid contraction and relaxation of the
leg muscles and tremors. Treatment and prevention is simply a
vitamin and mineral supplement added to the feed or water.
Recovery is rapid, if treated early. If left untreated, the
chickens will die.
Bacterial
By far, the biggest cause of uncommon chicken disease is
bacteria. Bacillary white diarrhoea is caused by salmonella.
Chickens with this disease have a pasted vent. It has a 100
percent mortality rate in chicks, but adult birds usually
recover well. Facial swelling, diarrhea, anorexia and watery
eyes are signs of two other bacterial infections, red skin and
infectious coryza. With proper anti-bacterial treatment, the
recovery rate is high with both these infections.
Viral
Viruses are a big cause for concern when you're raising
chickens. Viral disease tends to be among some of the most
contagious ailments among chickens. Most chickens will recover
on their own from a viral infection, but types of viruses
debilitate and kill. Pale chick syndrome has a 50 percent
mortality rate and stunts the growth of the survivors. Blue wing
disease causes discoloration of the skin on the wings and
carries a 60 percent mortality rate. Your veterinarian can
prescribe medication to help treat most chicken viral diseases.
Warning
When your flock shows signs of illness, always consult with a
veterinarian immediately. Some diseases are highly contagious
and spread rapidly through your flock. Always wash your hands
after handling chickens, because a few chicken diseases are
transmittable to humans.
Source:
HTML http://www.ehow.com/facts_5014416_uncommon-chicken-diseases.html
Read more: Uncommon Chicken Diseases | eHow.com
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