Diseases of commercial turkeys Flashcards
Which stage of production often correlated with respective disease?
Production phase
What is the slaughter age for male and female turkeys?
12-15w for females
18-21w for males
Turkeys less than 3 weeks old are called?
Chicks/poults/starters
What are some non-infectious causes of high mortality/poor growth in turkeys less than 3 weeks old?
- Temperature/humidity/ventilation
- Water/feeder problems
- Arrived weak and poorly e.g. hatchery issues, transportation, parent bird
- nutritional deficiencies
- staveout = failure of chicks to find food and water
What are some infectious causes of high mortality/poor growth in turkeys less than 3 weeks old?
- Naval/yolk sac infection
- Viral turkey hepatitis
- Coccidiosis
- Aspergillosis
- Staphylococcal infection
- Avian encephalomyelitis
- Mycotic keratoconjunctivitis
Turkeys are ‘growers’ from what age?
3 weeks to 12 weeks old
List some respiratory problems of growing turkeys
Mycoplasmosis
Turkey Rhinotracheitis
Colisepticaemia
Fowl cholera
NDV
AIV
List some causes of respiratory problems of growing turkeys
Mycoplasmosis
Turkey Rhinotracheitis
Colisepticaemia
Fowl cholera
NDV
AIV
List some causes of lameness in growing turkeys
Bacterial arthritis - staphylococcus, E.coli
Spondylosis
Broiler turkeys older than 12 weeks are called?
Finishers
Breeders turkeys over 12 weeks are known as?
Pullet
Breeder turkeys over how many weeks old are layers?
30 weeks
List some causes of respiratory problems in broiler finishers and pullet breeder turkeys
Fowl cholera
Aspergillosis
Chlamydiosis
NDV
AIV
List some causes of lameness in broiler finishers and pullet breeder turkeys
Bacterial arthritis
Long bone distortion
Osteomyelitis
Scoliosis
List some other problems seen in broiler finishers and pullet breeder turkeys
Internal parasites e.g. round worms
External parasites e.g. mites, lice
Pendulous crop
Breast blisters
Cannibalism
Turkey pox
Describe which turkeys are left in production at 30+ weeks
No broilers
Just layers
List 5 causes of a drop in egg production in turkey layers
NDV
AIV
Mycoplasmosis
Nutrition
Management
List some causes of respiratory problems in laying turkeys
Mycoplasmosis
Turkey rhinotracheitis
Colisepticaemia
Fowl cholera
NDV
AIV
Which agent is involved in ‘wet litter’ disease?
E.coli
List the factors that influence wet litter disease
Breed
Environment
Nutrition
Chilling
Enteric pathogens
What is wet litter disease?
Enteritis
Imbalances of small intestinal – leading to watery faeces
How is wet litter disease treated?
Antibiotics e.g. amoxicillin, tetracyclines, tylosin
How can wet litter disease be prevented?
- Immuno-competent and healthier birds
- Proper nutrition (feed and feeding)
- Water quality/hygiene
- Probiotics/Competitive exclusion
- Acidification – feed/water
Eimeria meleagrimitis causes disease where in the body?
Lesions in the upper small intestine
Eimeria adenoides causes disease where in the body?
Lesions in the caecum and rectum
Why is eimeria diagnosis difficult in turkeys?
They are always present in turkeys
How is Eimeria (coccidiosis) treated in turkeys?
- Coccidiostats (eg. Lasalocid, monensin, diclazuril)
- Antibiotics, eg. Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, Tylosin
‘Blackhead’ is caused by?
Histomonas meleagridis
Name the intermediated host of Histomonas melagridis
Heterakis gallinarum
What is the mortality rate of Histomonas?
Up to 100%
How is Histomonas treated and prevented?
No specific treatment
Biosecurity – top priority
Control of worms – Heterakis, using Flubendazole
Describe the features of turkey coronavirus disease
- Severe depression but little/no mortality
- High morbidity
- Watery scour, 9-11 weeks. Affects the mucosa/pathology of the digestive tract
- Some dullness
Astrovirus affects turkeys at what age?
5-10do
What is the pathogenesis and consequences of astrovirus?
Severe typhlitis (inflammation of the caecum)
- results in high culling
- severe economic loss
Describe the appearance of the caecum when infected with astrovirus
Caecum is engorged with a yellowish colour frothy substance
Rotavirus affects turkeys at what age?
2-3wo
What are the main signs of rotavirus in turkeys
Enteritis, Vent pecking
How is rotavirus prevented/treated?
No specific treatment
Hyperimmune egg powder
Maintain hydration
Biosecurity – top priority
What is the main consequence of Erysipelas in turkeys?
Persistent high mortality
How is Erysipelas treated and prevented?
Treatment – antibiotics, eg. Amoxicillin
Prevention – Vaccine (inactivated) available
Ornitobacterium rhinotracheale causes what signs in turkeys?
Not much respiratory disease (unlike chickens)
Mild respiratory signs, 12-14 weeks
More of lameness due to joint infection
Describe the pathogenesis of Bordetellosis/turkey coryza
Upper respiratory tract infection and damages, leading to secondary infection – eg. E coli.
Describe the mortality and morbidity of Bordetellosis/turkey coryza
Morbidity = 80-100%
Mortality = 0% to 40+% for complicated cases
