Blackhead disease (histomoniasis) Blackhead disease (histomoniasis) is an important poultry disease that affects turkeys, chickens, and game birds such as partridges, pheasants, and quail. The disease is caused by the protozoa Histomonas meleagridis, tiny, single-celled organisms that are spread to the bird by the roundworm Heterakis gallinarum. Lifecycle…
How can I feed cattle with chicken waste? Question: "I have heard that cattle can eat chicken droppings. I sweep chicken manure every day and throw it away yet I have cows. Can I really feed this smelly stuff to the cows?" Brief Answer Poultry litter is an…
How to stop chick vent from caking When a chick defecates, the droppings may sometimes not fall off. Instead, they dry and form a heavy lump at the back of the chick. This can cause the chick to die if the vent gets completely blocked in a…
Nervous conditions in poultry WHAT ARE NERVOUS CONDITIONS? Nervous signs occur when the brain, spinal cord or specific nerves are affected. Different organisms or poor feed can cause nervous signs in chickens. The most frequent nervous signs seen, are: Chickens lying down because they…
Egg Yolk Peritonitis Egg Yolk Peritonitis Also called Yolk peritonitis, yolk stroke, abdominal sepsis, abdominal septicemia Prevalence- Common, more common in broiler breeders Signs General signs - The same signs associated with pain: lack of appetite, lethargy, huddling with fluffed up feathers. Occasional partial paralysis.…
Gapeworms parasites The gapeworm (Syngamus trachea) is a round red worm that attach to the trachea (windpipe) of birds and causes the disease referred to as "gapes". The term describes the open-mouth breathing characteristic of gapeworm-infected birds. Heavily infected birds usually emit…
