Plague in domestic chickens is a dangerous and rapidly spreading disease that can destroy an entire flock of poultry. The infection spreads both through care products and through drinking bowls, feeders and other equipment. To protect poultry, you need to take timely precautions and conduct inspections of the entire flock.
Why is plague dangerous for chickens?
Plague 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:
- excreta;
- blood;
- nasal fluid;
- feathers;
- eggs.
The disease spreads quickly and in a short period can lead to the death of the entire population of chickens.
Causes of diseases
The cause of the development of plague in chickens is a virus that enters the blood and begins to actively multiply there. Through secretions, bacteria enter the environment and infect healthy birds, infecting the entire flock.
Initially, the virus can enter the farm along with feed, bedding, and other purchased equipment.
Symptoms of the disease
The first symptoms of plague become noticeable after the incubation period is over and the virus has spread throughout the bird’s body. Alarming symptoms are:
- depressed state;
- drowsiness;
- loss of appetite;
- weakness;
- prostration;
- throwing your head up.
In chickens, the eyelids become swollen, the feathers become disheveled, and profuse tearing is observed from the eyes. The bird sits in one place, hardly moves, body temperature rises to 43 °C. Over time, the comb and earrings turn blue, and the skin swells.
Methods for diagnosing pathology
In order to confirm the likelihood of chickens being infected with plague, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory analysis. Its basis is:
- negative bacteriological test;
- material for laboratory mammals must in no case be pathogenic;
- spread of the disease among young chickens;
- infection of blood filters and internal organs.
If there is any suspicion that immunological differentiation of the virus has occurred, the bird, which has previously been vaccinated, is artificially infected.
How to treat illness in chickens?
Treatment of plague in chickens, even in modern conditions, is a big problem.An effective method of combating the disease has not yet been invented. If sick individuals are found in the chicken coop, they should be exterminated immediately.
Some experts are trying to treat the plague with antibiotics. At first glance, it appears that the chickens are recovering. However, in fact, the virus pauses its activity and continues to exist inside the bird without showing any symptoms. A sick chicken turns into a carrier of infection and infects healthy chickens.
If sick chickens are found on the farm, the flock should be closed indoors as soon as possible. Remove all used equipment there and immediately declare quarantine. Dead chicken carcasses should be burned. Individuals suspected of having plague are subject to slaughter. Their meat can only be consumed 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 in specially designated areas.
All instruments and premises, as well as the slaughterhouse where sick birds were located, their walking areas, feeders and drinking bowls are sent for thorough disinfection. For this purpose the following drugs are used:
- 10% solution of lime chloride;
- 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 disinfection, premises, equipment and walking areas cannot be used for their intended purpose. All manure, leftover food along with feeders, as well as perches should be immediately burned. 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 are detected must 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 that enter the human body weaken the immune system and can cause diarrhea, weakness and other body disorders.
Preventive methods
Effective and timely preventive measures will help to avoid troubles and keep chickens healthy. These include:
- periodic selective diagnostics;
- constant control over the relocation of chickens between neighboring farms;
- control over 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 was unable or unwilling to devote time to preventing plague in chickens, then he risks not only losing his meat and laying birds, but also allowing the dangerous virus to spread to other farms nearby. Such activity already entails the imposition of administrative penalties. The conclusion on vaccination must be in the hands of the farmer.
