CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF CHICKENS

In Part 10 of our Health and Well Being of the Chicken Flock, it covered the conditions that affected the digestive system of a chicken(s).

In Part 11 we discuss conditions that can affect a chicken’s nervous system, how to detect them and what, if anything, can be done about it.

CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT A CHICKENS NERVOUS SYSTEM

Viral Infections

Avian Influenza

One of the most contagious diseases that have to be reported to the vet immediately an outbreak is suspected.
It is caused by the type A influenza virus and has a high pathogenicity. It is not only a threat to the chicken population but to human health as well.
A suspected outbreak will result in the chicken(s) being tested through a rapid method of diagnostic like the AGID.
Direct contact with the feces of the infected bird, aerosol spread in the air, through the nose, etc. are way the virus spreads.
AI has an incubation period of 3 to 4 days.

Signs and Symptoms:

Cyanosis (discoloring of the wattles and comb usually a purplish color)
Reddish skin discoloration
Diarrhea
Nasal discharge
Decreased appetite
Decreased thirst
Facial swelling
Sneezing
Watery red eyes
Twisted neck
Weight loss
Tilting of the head
Egg production will drop off
Depression
Congestion
Death

Treatment:

The chicken will need to move to the medical coop immediately
Contact the vet who will advise on treatment
There is a vaccine

Marek’s Disease

Marek’s disease is quite a common chicken disease and is widespread throughout the world. It is also a highly contagious disease that causes tumors.
It is caused by a virus known as Gallid herpesvirus 2(GaHV-2) and is, as its name implies, type of a herpesvirus.
The virus is also known as the Marek’s disease virus or MDV.
The herpesvirus in humans targets the lymph nodes (or lymphoid tissue). Chickens do not have confined lymph nodes and thus their lymphoid tissue is spread throughout their bodies.
MDV is a virus that once the chicken is infected with it will continue to shed the virus for the rest of its life.
That is why most flocks get the MDV vaccination, so they will not get it from a contaminated bird.
MDV gets shed by the bird through their feather follicles, so the virus remains present in their feathers.
It is important to note that the MDV virus is not passed on from and infected hen to an egg.
The MDV virus can also remain alive without a host and in the environment for an entire year.

Signs and Symptoms:

Eye color may change
Weight loss
Feather follicles, especially on the legs, will enlarge
Pale
Weakened
Muscles may atrophy
Incoordination’s
Stretches one leg forward and the other back like they are doing the splits
Toes curl in
Blindness
Pupils are irregular shapes
Nervous Tics
Wings will droop
Shanks will look bloodied and reddish

Treatment:

There are many treatments for this but if one chicken presents with it, it is best to get the rest of the flock checked out.
New birds must be vaccinated for Marek’s disease before being introduced to the flock
The vet will prescribe the best forms of treatment and medication for your chicken(s)
These may include Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, Acyclovir, Thymulin to name but a few.
There are homoeopathy remedies available should you wish to go that route.

Newcastle Disease

NDV or Newcastle disease virus is a very contagious disease that affects most types of birds. There are quite a few different strains of the virus, but the most severe strain of the virus is the viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease or VVND and is usually referred to as exotic Newcastle disease.
The disease is spread from chicken to chicken and will infect an entire flock if not treated.
The main carriers are wild birds mostly waterfowl. The virus can stay alive for quite some time without a host in the environment. But will die if exposed to direct sunlight.

Signs and Symptoms:

Egg production with go down
Eggs may be abnormal
Gasping for breath
They may sound hoarse
Convulsions
Tilted head
Twisted neck
Shacking of the head
They may have respiratory distress
Lethargic
Blood in their stools
Diarrhea
Fluffed feathers
Not able to stay on the perch, be uncoordinated and wobbly on their legs

Treatment:

The exotic strain of ND has to be reported to your vet. It is the law in the United States.
The bird will need to be isolated
The vet will explain the best course of treatment for the bird(s).
You can add vitamin A to the birds daily feed
You may also add calendula Officinalis extract to the birds feed

Bacterial Infections

Botulism

This disease is from ingesting a potent neurotoxin which is a spore-forming bacterium. This bacterium is known as the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These bacteria live in low oxygen conditions which they tend to thrive and grow.
It is a serious life-threatening disease as the toxin from this bacterium is one of the most toxic substances there is. Even the ingestion of a very little amount of it can cause very serious illness and lead to death.
Botulism can be found in the soil, water that is not treated even honey and baked potatoes can contain amounts of it.

Signs and Symptoms:

Respiratory problems
Weakness in the face
A limp neck
Muscle tremors
Drooping eyelids
Drooping wings
May have difficulty in walking
May have difficulty in swallowing

Treatment:

Isolate the infected chicken in the medical coop
This is something that must be diagnosed and treated by the vet
You can give the bird activated charcoal
There are homeopathic remedies available such as Nux vomica

Fowl Cholera

Also known Pasteurellosis is a bacterial disease that is highly contagious with the younger birds being more susceptible to it than the older ones.
This disease can go two ways one the chicken will develop some form of chronic infection usually in the inner ear which generally results in the bird getting torticollis.
It can also infect the wing joint, hock sinuses, wattles or footpad of the chicken.
But it normally is the more fatal version of the disease which is septicemia which people usually only catch the sign of when it is too late.
Birds that have been attacked by a predator and bitten should be treated right away.
The disease is commonly spread by bites, ingestion from anything in the infected environment or from an infected bird to bird.

Signs and Symptoms:

Nasal discharge
Lameness
Their head and comb become a darker color
Their respiratory rate will increase
They will appear drowsy
They usually have ruffled feathers
They will have diarrhea and it is usually a pasty yellow
Lethargic
Their wattles get swollen
They will have mucous coming out of the mouth

Treatment:

The chicken will need to move to the medical coop immediately
They must have clean water, food and in a stress environment.
You will have to notify the vet who will need to examine the bird, get tests run and determine the best course of treatment.
They will usually give a prescription for penicillin and some other medication to add to fee and or water.

Fungal Infections

Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is a non-contagious fungal infection that is contracted by the chicken taking in the spores of a fungus of the Aspergillus genus.
The infection from these spores can affect the chicken’s central nervous system, their bones, skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract.
This fungus usually affects those chickens with poorer immune systems the most.
It is found in dank moldy places that have poor ventilation.
This disease takes a long time treat and has to have a culture taken in order to have it diagnosed.

Signs and Symptoms:

Weight loss
Tail bobbing
Change in voice or complete loss of it
Won’t move
Has difficulty breathing
Increased thirst
Loss of appetite
Keeps to itself
Cyanosis (discoloring of the comb and wattles)
A cough
Depression
Crop stasis
Ataxia
Vomiting
Breathing with its mouth open
Makes a clicking noise
Lethargic
Gasps for breath
Cannot walk properly or is unsteady
Is Weak
Light sensitive
Wheezing
Eye swelling
Tremors
Paralysis
Falling
Drooping wings
Depression

Treatment:

The chicken will need to move to the medical coop immediately
Contact the vet who will advise on treatment
Treatment can take up to six months
The environment where the chicken lives will have to be redone to ensure the fungus has been eradicated

END OF PART 11

This is the end of Part 11 of our “Health and Wellbeing of the chicken Flock” series.

Part 12 of the series overviews some of the common diseases that can affect a chicken or the flock.