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Health > Respiratory System

Respiratory System

Respiratory Diseases

This category contains information about the respiratory system and its problems in poultry—diseases including Mycoplasma, Infectious Bronchitis, Aspergillosis, Infectious LaryngioTracheitis, Gapeworms and up to date information on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). 

Symptoms are mostly associated with respiratory difficulty-gasping, wheezing, gaping (neck stretching) and gurgling, but can also include fluid and bubbles in the eyes.

Diseases, Viruses, Parasites

Health problems that affect a bird’s respiratory tract, causing breathing problems.

Respiratory Disease in Chickens

Respiratory Disease in Chickens

One of the most common veterinary complaints of backyard chickens is snicking, sneezing and coughing. In this article, Poultry Vet Richard Jackson runs through the different respiratory diseases we might encounter in our flock.

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Gapeworm

Gapeworm

Gapeworms (Syngamus trachea) are included under ‘respiratory system’ since the adult worms reside in the trachea (or windpipe) and often produce a gurgling or ‘tracheal rattle’ that

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Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is an infectious fungal disease affecting poultry in which birds will usually be left gasping for breath. The disease is contracted by inhalation when there

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Wrinkled Egg Shells Infectious Bronchitis

Infectious Bronchitis

Infectious bronchitis (I.B) is the most contagious poultry disease. It has very similar symptoms to mycoplasma. The main difference is the number of birds it affects.

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Newcastle Disease

Newcastle Disease

Newcastle disease is fairly common around the world but thankfully, the UK doesn’t have many outbreaks (the last one according to DEFRA was 2006). The

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Treating Respiratory Problems

Antibiotics are often used by poultry vets to treat respiratory problems and poultry wormers are used to treat Gapeworms. Drug use isn’t without risks and there are longer term drug-resistance issues to consider. 

Books

My recommendations

If you would like a good reference book on poultry health, these are the books I would recommend.

Preventing Respiratory Problems

Prevention is always better than cure, so good husbandry, maintaining good biosecurity, and quarantining new birds you bring in to your flock should be your aim. Using the correct (dust free) bedding material and keeping your chickens healthy can also help.    

Garlic For Chickens

Garlic for Chickens

In European countries where they consume large amounts of garlic in their diets, they have a lower risk of cancer and are less likely to suffer from heart disease, but what about garlic for chickens?

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Verm-X pellets and liquid

Verm-X for Chickens

How good is Verm-X for chickens? Verm-X comes in a liquid or pelleted formulation and I tried it out over 6 months, but how can you be sure it’s working?

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Health: Categories

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External Problems

External Problems

Feathers, beak, skin, scales, spurs, eyes, comb, nails, legs and wings. Problems such as lameness, feather loss, external parasite infestation, frostbite, blindness, cuts and wounds.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory System

Respiratory problems including Avian Influenza, Aspergillosis, Gapeworm, Infectious Bronchitis and Mycoplasma.

Digestive-System-Thumb

Digestive System

Typical digestive system problems include internal parasites, loss of appetite, swollen crop, bad or sweet-smelling breath, diarrhoea, or messy bottoms.

Reproductive System

Reproductive System

Reproductive system problems include egg-laying problems (but not egg problems) in chickens and other poultry.

Wrinked Egg

Egg Quality

Common quality problems with eggs, such as soft or missing eggshells, wrinkled or misshaped eggs, watery whites, double yolks or blood spots.

Skeletal and Muscular problems

Skeletal, Muscular & Nervous System

Skeletal, muscular and nervous system problems.

Diseases such as Marek’s or Toxoplasmosis.

Cardiovascular and Organs

Cardiovascular & Organs

Diseases and disorders relating to major organs or the cardiovascular system include acute heart failure and Avian Leukosis.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to provide accurate information about poultry diseases and illnesses, and it is provided in good faith; however, content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.