Respiratory disorders in chicks and hens

Respiratory disorders in chicks and hens are a common issue and should not be underestimated – sometimes it is “just” environmental conditions, and sometimes a serious infectious disease.

Common Signs

   •   Open-mouth breathing / gasping

   •   Wheezing, snorting, “clicking”

   •   Runny nose, discharge from the nose or eyes

   •   Sneezing, coughing

   •   Swelling in the face / around the eyes

   •  Decreased eating, weakness, slowed growth

   •   In chicks – sudden death

Main factors

Environmental conditions (very common)

   •   High ammonia from wet diarrhea

   •   Poor ventilation

   •  Dust, dry straw, unsuitable sawdust

   •   Cold or sudden temperature changes

Usually worse at night or in the morning

Bacterial diseases

   •   CRD / Mycoplasma

   •   Chronic graying

   •   Slow growth

   •   Colibacillosis (E. coli)

   •   Aggravates existing respiratory diseases

   •   Coryza (infectious runny nose)

   •   Bad breath

   •  Abnormal facial swelling

Viral diseases (highly contagious)

   •   IB – Infectious Bronchitis

   •   Strong cough

   •   Decreased shedding

   •   ND – Newcastle

   •   Respiratory + neurological signs

   •   ILT – Infectious Laryngitis

   •   Severe difficulty breathing

   •   Sometimes bleeding from the mouth

Requires isolation and reporting in some cases

Parasites

   •   Gapeworm

   •   “Neck Stretching”

   •  Open Mouth Breathing

   •  Common in backyard farming

How is it diagnosed?

   •   Age of birds

   •   Rate of spread

   •   Mortality rate

   •  Response to antibiotics

   •   For commercial flocks – respiratory swabs / laboratory tests

Treatment – ​​in general

It is always better to see a poultry veterinarian, but principles:

   •   Improving ventilation and cleanliness – a mandatory first step

   •   Isolation of patients

   •   Appropriate antibiotics (only according to diagnosis)

   •  Vitamins A + E

   •   Electrolytes in water

   •   For worms – appropriate deworming

Prevention (most important)

   •   Good ventilation without gusty winds

   •   Dryness in the litter

   •   Correct density

   •   Vaccination (in commercial breeding)

   •  Quarantine new birds

   •  Regular cleaning and disinfection

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.