Chapter 16 - Recognizing Sick Chickens

It is important to recognize sick broilers. It is simple to check through a flock to find dead broilers; however, it requires much more skill to recognize sick broilers. When walking through a flock, take time to scan the birds and spot individuals that may be showing signs of illness.

Some of those signs might be:

• Lethargy, lack of energy, drooping wings
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of the head, eyes, comb, wattles and hocks
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing, wheezing, or sneezing
• Lack of coordination or complete paralysis
• Muscle tremors or twisted necks
• Diarrhea
• Sudden or excessive mortality without clinical signs
• For broiler breeders:
  • Decreased egg production
  • Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs

It can sometimes be beneficial to stand or sit quietly, watching and listening to the birds. Once the flock has settled down, birds that are only mildly ill may be seen. When things have quieted down, abnormal respiratory sounds, of called a ‘snick’ can be heard. These sounds may have a variety of characteristics such as a high-pitched ‘squeak’, a sudden ‘chuck’ sound, like a cough, or a gurgling or rattling sound.

Checking the flock for illness or mortality

Broiler chickens, broiler breeder pullets and cockerels

1. The flock should be inspected at least once daily.
2. Walk through the flock slowly, looking for sick or dead birds.
3. Walk a pattern that covers the entire poultry house. The route followed will depend upon the size of the poultry house. For an average house, walk up the wall on one side, down the inside of the feed line on one side, up the feed line on the opposite side, and finally down the wall on the opposite side.
4. Gather all dead or culled birds for removal.
5. Record the number of dead and culled birds found.
6. ollow the appropriate response protocol described in the farm SOP if there is a rise in mortality.
7. If there is a rise in mortality that cannon be explained, then it is essential that a sample of birds be submitted for diagnostic services.

    

Adult broiler breeders

1. The flock should be inspected at least once daily
2. Walk through the flock slowly, looking for lethargic or dead birds.
3. Walk through the slats the entire length of the barn, back down the scratch area, then up the opposite slats. Check the nest boxes carefully to make sure that no dead birds are occupying a slot.
4. Gather all dead or culled birds for removal.
5. Record the number of dead or culled birds.
6. If there is a rise in mortality, follow the appropriate response protocol as directed by the farm standard operating procedure (SOP).
7. If there is a rise in mortality that cannot be explained, then it is essential that a sample of birds be submitted for diagnostic services.