Broiler chickens are chickens that are raised for their meat. The advantage of broiler chickens is that they grow quickly and efficiently, so they are in great demand by breeders and consumers. However, broiler chickens are also susceptible to various diseases that can disrupt their health and productivity.
Diseases in Broiler Chickens and How to Treat Them
Here are some diseases that often attack broiler chickens and how to treat them, namely:
1. Tetelo or Newcastle Disease
This disease is caused by the Paramyxo virus which attacks the respiratory system and nervous tissue of chickens. Symptom that arise include heavy breathing, coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, swelling of the eyes and neck, and diarrhea.
There is no cure for this disease, so handling What can be done is to isolate infected chickens, provide fever-reducing and pain-relieving drugs, and provide soft and easy-to-digest feed.
Prevention What you can do is carry out vaccinations, keep the cage clean, and provide nutritious food.
2. Lime Stool or Pullorum
This disease is caused by Salmonella Pullorum bacteria which attacks the chicken's digestive system. Symptom Infected chickens have liquid and white droppings. If the droppings dry out and become chalky, the disease can be transmitted to other chickens.
Handling What can be done is isolating sick chickens, giving antibiotics according to the dosage and indications, and providing feed containing vitamins and minerals.
Prevention What can be done is to avoid the use of antibiotics which can cause carriers, maintain cage cleanliness and sanitation, and avoid using contaminated feed.
3. Gumboro or Infectious Bursal Disease
This disease is caused by a virus that attacks the bursa of Fabricius, an organ that plays a role in the formation of antibodies in chickens. Symptom What appears is that the chicken is lethargic, has no appetite, shriveled wings, dull feathers, and bloody diarrhea.
Handling What can be done is isolating sick chickens, giving anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhea drugs, and providing feed containing vitamins and minerals.
Prevention What can be done is vaccination, good cage management, and providing feed containing vitamins and minerals.
4. Snoring or Chronic Respiratory Disease
This disease is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma gallisepticum which attacks the respiratory tract of chickens. Symptom What occurs is chicken snoring, sneezing, coughing, mucus coming out of the nose and eyes, and decreased egg production.
Handling What can be done is to provide antibiotics according to the dosage and indications, provide cough and sneeze relievers, and provide feed that contains vitamins and minerals.
Prevention What can be done is to keep the cage clean, avoid population density, and carry out vaccinations.
5. Bird Flu or Avian Influenza
This disease is caused by a virus that attacks various organs in the chicken's body, such as the lungs, liver, kidneys and brain. Symptom what arises is chicken weakness, no appetite, shortness of breath, coughing, diarrhea and sudden death.
This disease is very dangerous because it can be transmitted to humans and other animals. Handling What can be done is to isolate and kill infected chickens, disinfect the cage, and report the case to the authorities.
Prevention What you can do is avoid contact with sick chickens, maintain personal hygiene and clothing, and follow health protocols.
6. Colibacillosis
This disease is caused by Escherichia coli bacteria which attack the respiratory, reproductive or blood systems of chickens. Symptom what arises is lethargic chickens, no appetite, shortness of breath, coughing, diarrhea and sudden death.
Handling What can be done is to provide antibiotics according to the dosage and indications, provide anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhea drugs, and provide feed that contains vitamins and minerals.
Prevention What can be done is to maintain cage cleanliness and sanitation, avoid overcrowding, and avoid using contaminated feed.
7. Snot or Infectious Coryza
This disease is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus paragallinarum which attacks the respiratory tract of chickens. Symptom What occurs is chicken sneezing, coughing, mucus coming out of the nose and eyes, and swelling of the face.
Handling What can be done is to provide antibiotics according to the dosage and indications, provide cough and sneeze relievers, and provide feed that contains vitamins and minerals.
Prevention What can be done is to keep the cage clean, avoid population density, and carry out vaccinations.
8. Worms
This disease is caused by parasitic worms that attack the chicken's digestive system. Symptom what arises is skinny chickens, no appetite, dull feathers, and diarrhea.
Handling What can be done is giving worm medicine according to the dosage and indications, providing feed containing vitamins and minerals, and keeping the cage and equipment clean.
Prevention What can be done is to provide worm medicine regularly, avoid excessive humidity, and control insect populations.
Champion friends, those are some of the diseases that often attack broiler chickens and how to treat them. It is very important to understand the information above, because if your broiler chickens are attacked by disease, of course it can affect the quality and quantity of the meat.
Now, To always maintain the health of your livestock, make sure you provide quality chicken feed products, the best vitamins and medicines. Champion friends can get the product here.
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Reference:
1. Get to know various broiler chicken diseases. URL: https://www.majalahinfovet.com/2021/10/mengenal-bermacam-penyakit-ayam-broiler.html (accessed 11/15/2023)
2. Disease Survey Report in Broiler and Layer Chickens 2021. URL: https://www.poultryindonesia.com/id/laporan-survey-penyakit-pada-ayam-broiler-dan-layer-tahun-2021/ (accessed 11/15/2023)3. 7 Types of Broiler Chicken Diseases and How to Treat Them. URL: https://www.birdsny.com/penyakit-ayam-broiler/ (accessed 15/11/2023