Chicken white diarrhea is one of the most serious diseases affecting the poultry industry worldwide. It is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella pullorum. Once it occurs, it can lead to significant economic losses. Here are some methods to prevent and treat chicken white diarrhea.
Causes of Chicken White Diarrhea
Poor feeding management, sudden changes in temperature in the chicken coop, environmental pollution, and inadequate disinfection are common causes of the disease.
Clinical Symptoms
Chickens infected with chicken white diarrhea may exhibit the following symptoms:
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Depressed behavior, drooping head and neck, ruffled feathers, loss of appetite or decreased food intake, huddling together due to cold.
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Passing white, pasty, loose droppings, sudden diarrhea, soiling of feathers around the vent, and even blockage of the vent.
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Some chickens may show signs of blindness, lameness, and swollen joints.
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Egg-laying hens may develop yolk peritonitis, exhibit a "hanging abdomen" appearance, and experience a decrease in egg production.
Epidemiological Characteristics
This disease primarily spreads through the digestive tract but can also spread through contact or vertical transmission. It mainly affects young and juvenile chickens.
Prevention and Treatment Measures
1. Purifying Breeding Flocks
Implement a chicken white diarrhea purification plan in breeding farms. Establish purified breeding flocks and continuously monitor and eliminate infected breeding chickens. This is the most fundamental measure to prevent this disease.
2. Implementing All-In-All-Out and Self-Breeding Management
Adopt management practices and production models that involve all-in-all-out and self-breeding systems to minimize the risk of infection.
3. Enhancing Feeding Management
Before introducing new chickens, thoroughly disinfect the chicken coop, utensils, equipment, and surrounding environment, and leave the coop empty for at least one week. During the rearing period, regularly disinfect the chickens and ensure a balanced diet. Proper ventilation and temperature control in the brooding room are also essential.
4. Cleaning and Disinfecting Before Incubation
Before incubation, thoroughly clean, wash, and disinfect the eggs, incubation room, incubators, and all utensils. Ensure that hatching eggs come from disease-free flocks.
5. Rational Use of Medications for Prevention
After hatching, add effective antibacterial drugs to the feed or drinking water of the chicks to prevent infection.
Important Considerations
Chicken white diarrhea is an infectious disease. Poultry farmers should focus on proper management and preventive measures to effectively avoid significant losses. Prevention is always better than treatment.
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