Backyard poultry, including waterfowl: problems and solutions

Question 1

Name the 6 parts that make up the reproductive tract in hens

Answer 1

Infundibulum
Magnum
Isthmus
Uterus
Vagina
Cloaca

Question 2

What happens to the egg at each part of the reproductive tract?

Answer 2

Infundibulum - capture ovum
Magnum - albumin added
Isthmus - shell membranes added
Uterus - egg shell added

Question 3

How long is incubation of eggs in chickens?

Answer 3

21 days

Question 4

Describe the correct conditions for egg storage

Answer 4

• Over 24 hrs but < 7 days old
• Storage at 10 C, turn eggs daily
• Washing with warm water
• Some fogging with Virkon

Question 5

Describe candling eggs and its purpose

Answer 5

• 9-10 days after incubation
• To determine the fertility of eggs
• Use small bright torch, held at broad end of the egg in dark room

Question 6

What are the key components needed in the management of chick rearing

Answer 6

Warmth
Food
Water
Litter - wood shavings, newspaper, commercial litter

Question 7

List some common problems/infections of breeders/layers

Answer 7

• Oviduct infection
• Egg peritonitis
• Infectious bronchitis virus
• Egg bound
• Pyometra

Question 8

What are the consequences of IBV infection?

Answer 8

Mis-shapen/weak eggs, watery whites, rough shell, cystic/atrophic oviduct

Question 9

What is the cause of chickens being egg bound?

Answer 9

Lack of calcium

Question 10

List the poultry viruses that can be vertically transmitter from mother to young

Answer 10

Reovirus – viral arthritis
Retroviruses – lymphoid leucosis
Adenoviruses
Astroviruses

Question 11

List the poultry bacteria that can be vertically transmitter from mother to young

Answer 11

• Salmonella
• E coli
• Staphylococci
• Mycoplasma

Question 12

List the non-infectious causes of urinary tract problems in poultry spp

Answer 12

Water deprivation
Water/feed quality - Minerals, toxic substances, Excessive salt

Question 13

List the infectious causes of urinary tract problems in poultry spp

Answer 13

Infectious bronchitis virus
Infectious bursal disease
Marek’s disease
Bacterial infections

Question 14

‘Splayed leg’ is seen in birds with which infection?

Answer 14

Marek’s disease - sciatic nerve infection

Question 15

List some causes of poultry welfare issues

Answer 15

• Housing, Husbandry, Nutrition
• Deformities, Diseases
• Breeding
• Hygiene and sanitation
• Biosecurity

Question 16

List some analgesic drugs that can be used in poultry spp

Answer 16

• Buprenorphine
• Carprofen
• Meloxicam
• Ketoprofen

Question 17

Describe the considerations of anaesthetics recovery in poultry spp

Answer 17

• Keep warm, position not restricting breathing
• Quiet environment.
• Oxygen supplementation as needed
• Fluid – subcutaneous, iv or intraosseous
• Crop feeding with electrolytes, probiotics, medications

Question 18

What is the biggest problem of vaccinating backyard flocks?

Answer 18

Unavailability of no small quantity doses

Question 19

Describe euthanasia of poultry spp

Answer 19

Pentobarbitone
- IV – wing, jugular
- IM breast muscle after masking down
- Intracardiac, long needle via the thoracic in-let

Question 20

When can neck dislocation be used as a euthanasia method?

Answer 20

Animals under 3Kg

Question 21

Describe the access to water needed for waterfowl spp

Answer 21

• Not only for drinking
• Also to be able to get their head under water at least
• Pond (s) – natural or artificial
• Easy to clean and move

Question 22

Name some geese breeds

Answer 22

Greylag
Toulouse

Question 23

Where needs to be clinically examined in waterfowl spp?

Answer 23

• Temperature
• Mouth
• Oropharynx
• External parasites - Skin, feathers or scales
• Vent
• Abdomen
• Feathers

Question 24

Which vein is used for blood sampling waterfowl spp?

Answer 24

Medial metatarsal vein

Question 25

List some neonatal problems of water fowl spp

Answer 25

- Starving - Yolk-sac infection - Yolk-sac retention/rupture - Chilling - Leg and wing deformities - Infections e.g. E.coli, Aspergillus

Question 26

What is angel wing?

Answer 26

Deformity - Excessive protein intake during rearing can cause urates to be deposited in soft joints –the carpal area seems to be the last to ossify - The primary feathers are the last to be produced and at peak primary feather growth the carpal joint deforms with the weight of the blood quills making the primaries eventually point outwards

Question 27

How does rickets present in poultry spp?

Answer 27

Lameness Slow growth Twisted bones

Question 28

How is rickets treated?

Answer 28

Check diet formulation/management and supplement vitamin D

Question 29

List some viral infectious diseases of waterfowl spp

Answer 29

Duck viral enteritis – Herpesvirus Duck viral hepatitis – Picornavirus Goose viral hepatitis (Derzy’s disease) – Parvovirus Haemorrhagic nephritis, enteritis of geese - Polyomavirus Avian influenza – Orthomyxovirus

Question 30

What diseases/conditions in waterfowl may present with lameness? (11 possible)

Answer 30

- Soft tissue injury - Foreign body - Joint infection - Osteoarthritis - Fractures - Mycoplasma - Renal/gonadal neoplasia - Renal coccidiosis - Heavy metal toxicity - Bumblefoot - Avian TB

Question 31

What are the 4 most common clinical signs of disease in waterfowl?

Answer 31

Lameness Lethargy Weight loss Sudden death

Question 32

List some non-infectious conditions of waterfowl

Answer 32

- Bumblefoot - Oil contamination - Amyloidosis - Fishing line and hook injuries - Grass ball under tongue – dropped tongue - Wet feather – mould spores - Peritonitis - Frostbite

Question 33

List 5 toxicities seen in waterfowl

Answer 33

- Botulism - Heavy metals - Mycotoxins - Algal toxins - Plants

Question 34

Describe the steps in fracture treatment in waterfowl spp

Answer 34

- First treat the shock - Rigid stabilisation of fracture site - Rotational alignment - IM pin and ESF – to ensure rigidity, resist all shearing, torsion and bending forces (to enhance healing) - Restoration of the bone length - Clean swimming water for rehabilitation

Question 35

List 4 reasons for penile prolapse in waterfowl spp

Answer 35

- Venereal disease - Trauma - Significant cold weather - Excessive sexual stimulation

Question 36

What is pinioning?

Answer 36

Tip of the wing is removed to stop flying

Question 37

When is pinioning allowed?

Answer 37

Allowed in ducklings and goslings for up to 7 days old

Question 38

Describe a safe anaesthetic protocol for waterfowl spp

Answer 38

Ketamine and medetomidine - reversal with atipamezole Maintenance with isoflurane