Plague in chickens: what is dangerous, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention

Distemper in domestic chickens is a dangerous and rapidly spreading disease that can kill an entire flock of birds. The infection spreads both through care products and through drinkers, feeders and other equipment. To save the bird, you need to take timely preventive measures, conduct inspections of the entire livestock.

How dangerous is plague for chickens?

Pest in chickens causes swelling of the subcutaneous tissue on the head, chest and neck and is a septic disease. It can be transmitted in the following ways:

defecations;
blood;
nasal fluid;
feathers;
eggs.

The disease spreads quickly and can lead to the death of the entire population of chickens in a short period.

Causes of diseases

The reason for the development of plague in chickens is a virus that enters the bloodstream and begins to multiply actively there. Through excretion, bacteria enter the environment and infect he althy birds, infecting the entire population.

Initially, the virus can enter the farm along with feed, bedding, and other purchased equipment.

Symptoms of disease

The first symptoms of plague become noticeable after the incubation period is over and the virus has spread throughout the body of the bird. Warning symptoms are:

depressed state;
drowsy;
loss of appetite;
weakness;
failure;
tilting your head up.

In chickens, the eyelids become swollen, the feathers are disheveled, there is abundant tearing from the eyes. The bird sits in one place, almost does not move, body temperature rises to 43 ° C. Over time, the comb and earrings turn blue, the skin swells.

Methods for diagnosing pathology

In order to confirm the likelihood of infection of chickens with plague, it is imperative to conduct a laboratory analysis. Its basis are:

negative bacteriological test;
material for laboratory mammals must not be pathogenic in any way;
spread of disease among young chickens;
infection of blood filters and internal organs.

If there is any suspicion that an immunological differentiation of the virus has occurred, then the bird that has previously been vaccinated is artificially infected.

How to treat an ailment in chickens?

The treatment of plague in chickens, even in modern conditions, is a big problem. An effective method of dealing with the disease has not yet been invented. If sick individuals were found in the chicken coop, then they should be immediately exterminated.

Some experts are trying to treat the plague with antibiotics. At first glance, it seems that the chickens are recovering. However, in reality, the virus stops its activity and continues to exist inside the bird without showing any symptoms. A sick chicken turns into a carrier of infection and infects he althy brethren.

If sick chickens were found on the farm, then the livestock should be closed indoors as soon as possible. Remove all used equipment there and immediately declare quarantine. Carcasses of dead chickens should be burned. Individuals suspected of having plague are to be slaughtered. You can consume their meat only inside the farm and only after heat treatment at a temperature of at least 100 ° C for 20 minutes. Slaughter of sick chickens is carried out on specially designated sites.

All tools and facilities, as well as the slaughterhouse where sick birds were located, their walking areas, feeders and drinkers are sent for thorough disinfection. To do this, use the following drugs:

10% chloride solution;
3% formaldehyde solution;
4% alkaline solution;
20% slaked lime solution.

Before starting work, the grass in the walking areas is mowed, dried and burned. Within 90 days after the disinfection of the premises, equipment and places for walking cannot be used for their intended purpose. All manure, leftover food along with feeders, as well as perches should be burned immediately. During quarantine (30 days), live chickens cannot be taken outside the farm. Eggs collected a couple of weeks before the first signs of the disease were detected should be boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating. at a temperature not lower than 100 °C.

Is there a danger to people?

Plague in chickens poses a certain danger to humans. Eating raw eggs from sick birds is unacceptable. If there is any suspicion of infection in the chicken coop, the meat is subjected to thorough sanitary and heat treatment.

Bacteria entering the human body weakens the immune system, can cause diarrhea, weakness and other body disorders.

Preventive methods

Effective and timely preventive measures will help to avoid trouble and keep chickens he althy. These include:

periodic selective diagnostics;
permanent control over the resettlement of chickens between neighboring farms;
monitoring the purity of the drugs used and the composition of the feed;
constant monitoring of infectious activity in nearby regions;
regular vaccination.

If for some reason a farmer could not or did not want to devote time to preventing plague in chickens, then he risks not only losing his meat and rushing poultry, but also allowing the dangerous virus to spread to other nearby farms. Such activities already entail the imposition of administrative pen alties.The conclusion on the vaccination must be in the hands of the farmer.