Diseases of commercial gamebirds Flashcards
Name some gamebird spp in the UK
Grey partridge
Pheasant
Red grouse
Black grouse
Woodcock
List some hatchery related problems in gamebirds
Hygiene and sanitations
* Measures in the farm
* Egg storage
* Egg transport
* Egg cleaning/wash
Incubator: Temperature, Ventilation, humidity
List some problems of young chicks (day 2-14)
Yolk sac infection
Septicaemia
Starve out
Aspergillosis
Rotavirus
What are the two main causes of yolk sac infections?
- Due to infections in eggs
- Due to environmental infection/spread
How can ‘starve out’ chicks be identified?
- High mortality
- Lethargic chicks
- Empty gizzard or Gizzard containing bedding material
What are the causes of starve out?
- Breeding flock unhealthy
- Prolong hatching period
- Chill-effect after hatch
- Temperature variation on arrival/house
- Environment – ammonia, heat, carbon
- Poor feed and water insufficient/distribution
What are the signs of rotavirus in gamebirds?
Depression
Dropped wings
Closed eyes
Huddling
Ruffled feathers
Death
What are the two sources of rotavirus infection?
Egg shell contamination
Environment
How is rotavirus prevented?
- Frequent egg collection
- Egg cleaning and disinfection
- Cleaning and disinfection between flocks/pens/batches
Spironucleus meleagridis causes similar disease to which parasite?
Trichomonas gallinae
What are the clinical signs of Spironucleosis and Trichomoniasis?
Watery diarrhoea, often yellow and frothy
Dehydration
Weight loss
Depression, lethargy
Death
Describe the type of environment which increases the risk for Spironucleosis and Trichomoniasis?
Wet and moist environment
Overcrowding, stress
How are Spironucleosis and Trichomoniasis diagnosed and differentiated?
Necropsy, from fresh SI make smear and examine under microscope, differentiate the protozoa
* Duodenum and ileum = spironucleus
* Caecum = trichomonas
How are Spironucleosis and Trichomoniasis prevented?
Keep environment dry and clean
Avoid water leakages
Substances that can desiccate these protozoa
Reduce stocking density
Coccidiosis is caused by which agent?
Eimeria spp
What are the clinical signs of coccidiosis?
Weight loss, lethargy, ruffle feathers, dropped wings, death
How is coccidiosis diagnosed?
Necropsy, gut smear for microscopic examination, faecal analysis
How is coccidiosis prevented?
Decrease stocking density
In-feed coccidiostat
Keep environment dry and clean
What are some diseases of releasing poults?
Enteritis
Stress
Spironucleosis
Trichomoniasis
Coccidiosis
Bacterial infections
Parasites – worms
What are some causes of stress in releasing poults
- Chill-effect following release to new environment/outside
- Transport stress: ventilation, withholding food/water
- Unfamiliar environment
- Searching for food and water
- Exposure to predators
What are the consequences of parasitic worm build ups in breeder birds?
High mortality
Poor food conversion
Weight ain
Name some parasitic worms of breeder birds
- S trachea (gape worm)
- Heterakis gallinarum
- Capillaria spp
- Ascarid spp
What are the clinical signs of mycoplasma infections in gamebirds
- Swelling of infraorbital sinuses
- Eyes, nose and eye discharges
- Breathing difficulties
- Weight loss and death
- Decreased egg production and hatchability/chick quality
- Lameness
How are Mycoplasma infections prevented/treated?
Prevention:- Vaccine
Treatment:- Antibiotics, macrolides
Describe coronavirus infection signs in adult gamebirds
Sudden death, urates in kidneys, drop in egg production/hatchability
Describe coronavirus infection signs in young gamebirds
Swollen kidneys, urates deposition of visceral organs
How are coronavirus infections in gamebirds prevented/treated?
- No specific treatment
- Some use IBV vaccines against this coronavirus
- Biosecurity – top priority
What are the signs of Newcastle disease in gamebirds?
Dullness, depression, diarrhoea, neurological
Drop in egg production/quality
