Diseases of guinea fowls: names and symptoms from which birds die and prevention

Poultry is susceptible to various diseases, most of which are promoted by improper care, improper diet and diet. Somatic, infectious, parasitic diseases often affect immunocompromised guinea fowl. In order not to lose livestock, it is necessary to identify sick birds in a timely manner, take measures to solve the problem and protect the inhabitants of the poultry yard.

Viral and bacterial diseases of birds

Infectious diseases are classified as a dangerous group of pathologies. Viruses and bacteria spread to the flock, other farm animals, and some pose a danger to human he alth.

Pullorose

A type of salmonella causes disease in birds. The incubation period usually does not exceed 6 days.

Symptomatics of pullorosis:

hyperthermia (up to 44 °C);
feed refusal;
low mobility;
discoordination;
diarrhea with white or yellowish coating.

Infection often affects young animals. The loss of chicks occurs in the first 10-14 days of illness. Infected guinea fowl must be destroyed. The rest of the livestock is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy (Sulfadimezin, Biomycin, penicillins).

Pasteurellosis

Pasteurella stick penetrates into the bird's body mainly through the transdermal route. The bacterium multiplies rapidly and is carried by the bloodstream. The outcome of the acute form is the death of the guinea fowl in the next 3 days after contamination.In the case of a chronic course, the bird does not die, but remains infectious.

Signs of disease:

apathy, lethargy;
fever;
yellow-green diarrhea streaked with blood;
discharge from the nose.

Pasteurellosis is difficult to treat. The rapid development of the disease makes drug therapy inappropriate. Infected guinea fowl are sent for slaughter. The disease is dangerous for humans, the carcass is disposed of.

Marek's disease

Marek's disease, or neurolymphomatosis, causes one of the subspecies of the herpes virus. The virus manifests itself only after 1-7 months from the moment of penetration into the cell and irreversibly affects the nervous system, causing paralysis of the wings and legs, neck deformity in guinea fowl.Birds take a characteristic twine pose. First, several guinea fowls die, then the disease begins to manifest itself in a number of individuals. The virus is excreted in feces and biofluids, remains viable for a long time, spreads by airborne droplets.

The prognosis is negative: there is no effective treatment, the loss of livestock continues for several months. Small chicks quickly pick up the infection. Dead guinea fowls are disposed of.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomonas is a protozoan parasite that enters the body through the alimentary route. The disease often affects chicks in the first six months of life, causing the death of the brood.

Trichomonas multiplies rapidly, causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, destroys the walls of blood vessels, causes thrombosis and intoxication. Juveniles are acutely ill, adult guinea fowls are in a chronic form. Symptoms of trichomoniasis:

fever;
fetid, bubbly, yellow-grey stools;
expanding goiter;
shortness of breath;
discharge from eyes and nose.

The disease leads to the depletion of guinea fowl, affecting the gastrointestinal tract. For treatment, drugs of the imidazole group are used.

Mycoplasmosis

Mycoplasma enters the body of a bird by airborne droplets, affects the internal organs, eyes, respiratory system.

Mycoplasmosis in guinea fowl manifests itself:

shortness of breath;
refusal of food and lethargy;
ruffled plumage;
sneezing, coughing;
discharge from eyes and nose;
yellow-green diarrhea.

Treatment is effective at an early stage of the disease. Streptomycin antibiotics, macrolides are prescribed.

Tuberculosis

A rare disease among guinea fowls occurs in a chronic form. Symptoms appearing several months after infection are mild.

Birds have:

sluggish behavior;
jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes;
shrinking crest;
fever;
motion disorders;
diarrhea;
exhaustion.

Tuberculosis drugs and antibiotics are used for therapy. Assign "Isoniazid", "Pyrazinamide", "Rifampicin", "Streptomycin", "Ethambutol". The first course lasts 60 days, carriers are struggling up to 4 months.

Salmonellosis (typhus, paratyphoid)

Salmonella is particularly dangerous for chicks, which often become infected during the incubation stage.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis:

depression;
lack of appetite;
lowered wings and eyelids;
tousled;
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes;
diarrhea.

The mortality rate from the acute form reaches 100%. In the chronic form, guinea fowl are given Furazolidone as a course, then antibiotics of a number of azithromycins or Levomycetin. The third stage is the introduction of nitrofurans. He althy individuals are shown prophylactic courses of antibiotics.

Prevention of infectious diseases

Prevention is the main way to fight infection.

Activities include:

maintaining optimal temperature, humidity, cleanliness in the house;
regular processing of feeders and drinkers;
livestock examinations, isolation of birds with suspected infection;
separate keeping of adult guinea fowls and chicks;
balanced nutrition;
vaccination.

Most problems can be avoided with regular veterinary checks.

Non-contagious diseases of guinea fowls

In addition to the spread of infections, improper care can lead to the development of somatic non-communicable diseases.

Gout

A monotonous diet rich in nitrogen often provokes a violation of uric acid metabolism. As a result, its s alts are deposited in the joints.

Gout symptoms:

deformation and impaired mobility of the joints;
loss of appetite and body weight;
digestion disorders;
inflammation of the cloaca;
whitish litter.

Birds adjust the diet and solder with sodium bicarbonate (10 grams per 1 head) or give "Atofan" at the rate of 0.5 grams per bird. An iodine grid is made locally and salicylic ointment is rubbed in.

Injuries

When improperly kept, birds injure each other, show aggression and cannibalism.

The reasons are:

tightness;
intense long-lasting illumination;
dry air;
nutrient deficiencies;
combination of adults and young animals.

Wounds are covered with antiseptic dressings, fractures are set and fixed with splints or plaster.

Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is manifested by symptoms of disorders in the digestive tract: frothy stools, loss of appetite, apathy. More often the syndrome occurs in young chicks. Young animals are given cottage cheese, kefir, vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics, they are transferred to a balanced feed.

Omphalitis

Inflammation and infection of an unclosed umbilical wound is dangerous for the life of newborn chicks. The wound becomes inflamed, gets wet, requires urgent treatment. The chick is moved to a clean cage, given antibiotics, and the outbreak is treated with antibacterial agents.

Rhinitis

Cold and high humidity cause a runny nose in guinea fowl. It is difficult for birds to breathe, clear or yellowish mucus is released from the nose, appetite worsens. Treatment begins with the creation of a favorable microclimate in the house, antimicrobial solutions are instilled into the nostrils.

Vitelline peritonitis

Deadly for females, the condition is a complication of ovarian rupture. As a result of apoplexy, its contents enter the abdominal cavity, causing an extensive inflammatory process. The belly of the bird swells, bald patches form on the body. Most of the time the female spends lying down. The reason is the early laying of eggs, injuries, an abundance of fatty foods. The disease is not cured. If the female is not allowed to be slaughtered, the outcome is the death of the bird.

Parasite

In unsanitary conditions, guinea fowl become a target for parasitic attacks. Entomoses, helminthiases, arachnoentomoses apply to all livestock. The birds are weakening, growing poorly and becoming vulnerable to infections.

Helminths

A guinea fowl infected with worms weakens and depletes in proportion to the growth and reproduction of parasites. Helminthiases are treated in the early stages. Use "Piperazine", "Albendazole", "Ivermex". In advanced cases, the bird is sent for slaughter.

Rational approach - preventive deworming of the flock.

Fleas

Skin and feather parasites cause discomfort to guinea fowl, reducing productivity. For prevention and treatment, insecticidal agents are used, the conditions of detention are adjusted, and containers with ash are placed for birds. The best way to protect guinea fowl from diseases is prevention, including hygiene, veterinary measures, as well as compliance with the rules of good nutrition.