Infectious Diseases & Their Cause In Poultry

 Poultry farming is a method of raising chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other birds for eggs and meat for food. Poultry is an important source of animal protein worldwide and is considered the most intensive species to raise. There are a number of ways to use poultry products such as butter, bread, baked goods, and other recipes.

The poultry industry is known to be an important supplier of food and plays a significant role in the economy of any country. The rise of poultry farming in different parts of the world has proven to be a profitable enterprise as it is considered the best and most important source of the tasty, nutritious and cheap food protein. However, it is important to take care of poultry because all breeds may suffer from several infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases can occur in poultry of all domestic species and breeds. When a chicken looks sick, it is acting strange and there are many causes. A healthy chicken has bright eyes and is looking for food. An unhealthy chicken, on the other hand, looks dull, has cloudy eyes, and is less active with ruffled feathers. You may also notice abnormal breathing like coughing, abnormal digestion like watery or bloody diarrhea, dirty feathers, and lower or abnormal laying performance.

Causes of infectious diseases

Infections are generally caused by germs. These germs act as pathogens, meaning they cause disease. Some of the diseases caused by germs are listed below:

1. Viruses, which cause diseases like Newcastle disease, Avian Flu or Avian Influenza, Fowl Pox, and Gumboro disease.

2. Bacteria that cause fowl cholera, typhoid fever, and pullorum disease.

3. Fungi that cause aspergillosis or chicken pneumonia.

Some of the above diseases can cause a high mortality rate.

Of all the germs, only a few are visible to the naked eye. Special microscopes are required to see most of the viruses. Toxic substances called mycotoxins are produced by fungi or molds. If birds eat feed with mycotoxins, their resistance can be lowered. The feed should therefore be stored properly to prevent fungal growth. Parasites also cause disease or growth retardation: internally such as roundworms, tapeworms, and coccidiosis, or externally such as fleas, ticks, and lice.

Diagnosis

Proper diagnosis should be made by a veterinarian and appropriate measures should be taken to protect the lives of chickens from pathogens, otherwise, this will lead to a high mortality rate in chickens.