Salmonellosis in chickens: symptoms and treatment, disease prevention

The development of salmonellosis in chickens is observed quite often and provokes negative consequences for the he alth of birds. This bacterial disease leads to damage to the digestive tract of birds. In the subacute or chronic course of the disease, there is a risk of cases of arthritis and pneumonia. When symptoms of the disease occur, measures must be taken in time. Otherwise, there is a threat of a rapid spread of infection.

Is there a danger to humans?

Birds suffering from salmonellosis pose a danger to humans. When eating infected foods - eggs or meat - there is a risk of developing severe toxic infection.

Salmonella lives in the intestines of birds. However, it can get on eggs or carcasses at the time of slaughter. In case of violation of the rules for storing products or insufficient processing, there is a threat of complex mass poisoning.

Causes of disease

Infection of chickens usually occurs through feed or water. The penetration of the pathogen into the body does not always lead to the development of the disease. It all depends on the variety of salmonella, the characteristics of the keeping of birds, the age category and disease resistance.

The risk of developing salmonellosis increases with overheating or hypothermia of chickens, violation of sanitary standards, high concentrations of livestock, fluid stagnation. In incubators, mass infection of young birds during hatching is often observed.

Salmonella enters large farms with feed. This also happens with breeding eggs. In this case, there is an outbreak of salmonellosis, which can last a whole year. After that, the technological replacement of livestock contributes to the improvement of the economy.

Pathogen

Salmonella infection leads to the development of pathology. This pathogen has several types:

• tifimurium;
• enteritidis;
• gallinarum-pulorum.

Salmonella are considered fairly resistant bacteria. They are present in bird droppings for up to 4 months, in tap water - 2, in reservoirs - 7. Salmonella can persist in the soil for a whole year.

The disease is dangerous for humans and all animals.

Stages and symptoms of salmonellosis in chickens

Salmonellosis is dangerous from the first day of infection. When infected through food or water, the latent period lasts a week. If the bird was infected by air, the symptoms of the disease appear after a day.

At the youngsters

Symptoms of pathology in chicks include the following:

• general weakness;
• loss of feathers;
• loss of appetite;
• breathing disorder;
• weak growth.

In adult chickens

In adults, the key manifestations of the disease include the following:

• puffiness;
• rare plumage;
• vision loss;
• thirst;
• limping;
• dull scallop;
• diarrhea;
• dramatic decline in productivity.

Diagnostic Methods

To select the means for the treatment of the disease, it is worth diagnosing. For this, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. The doctor should examine the chickens and take blood tests. Also, some organs of the bird should be sent for laboratory research.

During the diagnosis, bacteria resistance to antibiotics is assessed. This allows you to choose the most effective drug.

Methods of treating the disease

When identifying signs of the disease, you need to take immediate action:

1. It is recommended to immediately isolate a sick bird from other individuals. Quarantine must last at least 10 days. During this time it is worth watching the bird.
2. Carry out preventive treatment of the chicken coop. An isolated individual should be returned to the flock only after repeated analyzes have been performed.
3. Use antibiotics to treat disease. They are injected or added to food or water.
4. A chicken coop that has been identified with salmonella should be kept under control. This will help avoid spreading the infection to other pets.
5. Nests and eggs should be treated with special means - Metacid or Virkon.
6. Disinfect the chicken coop. Give probiotics to hatched chicks immediately.

Drug Therapy

It is advisable to treat pathology only at an early stage. With severe manifestations of salmonellosis, chickens are destroyed. Conditionally he althy birds are treated prophylactically. To do this, antibiotics are mixed into food and drink.

In case of pathology, the following means are used:

• Levomycetin;
• Baytril;
• Tetracycline.

To support the digestive organs of birds during the period of antibiotic treatment, it is worth giving them probiotics.

It is important to follow the dosage prescribed by the veterinarian.

Folk methods

It is impossible to eliminate the disease with folk remedies. As a preventive or additional means, you can use a decoction of chamomile or calendula. Plantain and tansy are also perfect. Such funds are added to the water during and after the completion of therapy.

Possible consequences

In adult birds, the pathology is chronic. This means that they carry the bacteria all their lives. Therefore, birds in which the pathogen was found should be immediately culled from the herd. Chickens can also carry the bacteria. In this case, the disease does not develop, but the pathogen is excreted with droppings or eggs.

State control

Since salmonellosis is dangerous to people, the state should actively control farms and the composition of products that enter retail outlets. To avoid the spread of infection, it is worth taking the following measures:

1. Evaluate the condition of the livestock and the conditions of its maintenance. At the same time, large-scale production and small farms should be controlled. Checks for the presence of bacterial microorganisms are mandatory.
2. Check food for chickens. At the same time, it is worth controlling different types of food.
3. Analyze the status of incubators. They are tested for the presence of salmonella in eggs and hygiene recommendations.
4. Analyze products in the laboratory. Meat must undergo mandatory control before entering retail outlets.
5. Control employees. Farm personnel must undergo an annual inspection.
6. Perform control before issuing a certificate. In such a situation, the facility must comply with all conditions that imply bacterial checks.

When salmonella is detected, farmers are prohibited from selling meat, eggs and even chicken feathers. Infected birds are to be slaughtered. In this case, the affected organs are disposed of.

Prevention measures

To minimize the risk of developing salmonellosis, you should follow these rules:

• carefully inspect the birds;
• if signs of disease are detected, isolate affected chickens;
• treat the chicken coop with disinfectants;
• vaccinate chickens;
• give birds feed with he althy additives that help strengthen immunity.

The development of salmonellosis in chickens is a danger to birds and people. To cope with the disease and avoid its spread, it is necessary to take adequate measures in a timely manner. To do this, isolate infected birds, use antibiotics, treat the chicken coop

Recommended