University:
Washington State University
Course:
BIOLOGY 423 | Ornithology
Academic year:

2024
Views:

169

Pages:

42
Author:

Athena Harrison

Chickens 101 Training Course The goal of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding of poultry. Anatomy and Physiology of Poultry Birds vs. Mammal • Birds: – Feathers instead of fur – No teeth – Lay eggs – Float and fly – Excrete waste through one orifice only Anatomy vs. Physiology • Anatomy: The science and structure of animals • Physiology: The science dealing with how an organism functions Body Systems of Poultry • Below are a few body systems of poultry: – Integumentary – Respiratory – Skeletal – Digestive Integumentary System • The skin, feathers and beak – Protect the bird from external harm • Skin – Plumage: outer covering of the bird’s body • Feather, scales and filoplumes – Filoplumes: hair-like structures at the base of the feathers – Wattle: Red (usually) growth under the beak, works with the comb, growth located on top of their head • Wattle and comb circulate blood to regulate body temperature – The size of the comb is an indicator of the level of testosterone. » Large comb = more testosterone present Integumentary System Comb Filoplume Beak Wattle Plumage Scales Nails Scale and Plumage • Scales – Located on feet and legs • Plumage – Protects against cuts and bruises – Helps regulate body temperature • This is important because birds do not have sweat glands Respiratory System • Unlike mammals, birds lack a diaphragm to inflate and deflate the lungs – Birds have air sacs located in their neck and body cavity that inflate their lungs – Gas exchange occurs in the lungs and the air sacs function to move air in and out of the respiratory system • Nares: Nostrils located on their beak Skeletal System • Pneumatic (hollow) Bones – Connect with respiratory system – Light bones allow for flight • Medullary Bone – Contain a high amount of calcium – Calcium is stored in the bones to assist with producing the shell of the egg • Fused Bones – Bones in the feet are fused • Causes birds to walk upright – Bones in the back are fused for flight Digestive System • Mouth – Tongue – Beak – Taste buds • Esophagus – Flexible tube that connects the mouth to the crop • Crop – Moisten and temporary storage of food • Provenriculus – Stomach – Uses acids to breakdown food • Gizzard – Grinds up food particles • Small intestines (3 sections) – Duodenum – Ileum – Jejunum • Absorbs nutrients from food • Ceca – Ferments left over food and absorbs water • Colon (large intestine) – Absorbs water • Cloaca – Expels feces and urine through the vent Digestive System Commercial Broiler Breeds • Broiler – Hybrids or combinations of different breeds • Developed for specific characteristics – – – – Grow faster and larger Large breast meat yield More efficient feed conversion More disease resistance • Used by commercial broiler producing companies • Weakness: Do not lay as many eggs as layer breeds Commercial Broiler Breeds • Cornish Cross – White Cornish x White Plymouth Rock • Reach 4 - 5lbs in 6 weeks • Reach 6 - 10lbs in 8 - 12 weeks – White Cornish • Broad and meaty – White Plymouth Rock • Docile and good dual purpose breed (layer and broiler) Commercial Broiler Breeds White Plymouth Rock Cornish Hen Cornish Cross Commercial Layer Breeds • Layer – Genetically selected for high egg production – Small bodied birds – Two types • Birds that lay white eggs and birds that lay brown eggs • White ear lobes = White eggs • Red ear lobes = Brown eggs Commercial Layer Breeds • White Leghorns – Very good layers of white eggs • Rhode Island Red – Very good layers of brown eggs Examples of Non-Commercial Breeds • Laying breeds – Ameraucana: Lays blue eggs – Araucana: Lays blue to bluish green eggs – Maran: Lays large dark brown eggs • Dual purpose bird – Plymouth Rock: Dual purpose bird – Welsummer: Lays dark, deep red eggs • Meat breeds – Brahma: One of the largest breeds, good winter layer – Delaware: Good for small scale operations – Jersey Giant: Good disposition for backyard flocks – Orpington: Good dual purpose bird – Wyandotte: Good dual purpose bird, and does well in the cold Examples of Non-Commercial Breeds • Ornamental breeds – Cochin: Good winter layer and popular show bird – Langshan: Good dual purpose bird that lays brown eggs – Polish: A favorite as a pet chicken, and known for its topknot of feathers – Silkie: Unique looking, ideal as a pet chicken, and excellent broody hen Pathogens • Bacteria – Salmonella Pullorum – Mycoplasma Gallisepticum – Botulism • Fungi – Aspergillosis • Viruses – – – – Avian Influenza Fowl Pox Infectious Bronchitis Infectious Bursal Disease Pathogens – Parasites • Internal – Worms » Round Worms – Protozoa » Coccidia • External – Lice – Mites Salmonella Pullorum • Background – Infections occur in chickens, turkeys, and game birds – Spread through parent to chick • Symptoms – Characterized by white diarrhea & high mortality rate in birds – Sick birds are sleepy and weak – Chicks huddle near heat source – Chicks that survive become carriers • Prevention – Purchase birds and hatching eggs from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) participants Mycoplasma Gallisepticum(MG) • Background – Affects primarily chickens and turkeys, but can effect game birds and waterfowl – Can be transmitted through the egg • Can be coughed into the air, contaminating feed, water & the environment • Infection my be dormant until the birds are stressed • Symptoms – – – – Coughing Sneezing Nose and eye discharge Drop in egg production and consumption of food • Prevention – Purchase birds and hatching eggs from MGfree breeders (usually NPIP participants) Botulism • Background – Caused by ingesting the toxins of Clostridium botulism – C. botulism can be found in dead poultry, and rotting feed and food • Symptoms – Symptoms occur within a few hours to a few days – Drowsiness – Weakness – Loss of control of legs, wings, neck – Ruffled feathers – Diarrhea (broilers) • Prevention – Prevent access to C. botulism – Dispose of dead birds properly – Do not feed birds spoiled food or feed Aspergillosis • Background – Occurs in chickens, turkeys and game birds – Chicks and poults may become infected during hatching • Due to inhaling spores from contaminated machines or litter – In older birds, infection may be caused primarily by inhalation of contaminated dust • Symptoms – Gasping – Accelerated and labored breathing – Diarrhea – Anorexia – Dehydration – Increased thirst – High mortality • Prevention – Keep feed and litter dry so mold doesn’t grow – Clean out feeders regularly – Avoid wet litter under the feeders and waterers – Provide good ventilation in the poultry house Avian Influenza (AI) • Background – 2 types of AI • Low-Path • High-Path – Low-path AI is commonly found in wild waterfowl – AI viruses are further divided into 15 hemagglutinin (H1-15) and 9 neuraminidase (N1-9) subtypes – Most AI viruses (H1-15 subtypes) are of LP • However, some H5 and H7 subtypes can mutate into high-path in domestic chickens, turkeys, and game birds • Symptoms – Low-Path • • • • • • Coughing Sneezing Depression Inflammation of the sinuses Nasal and eye discharge Decrease egg production – High-Path • Sudden mortality – Mortality can reach up to 100% • Respiratory signs may be present, but not always • Bluish wattle and comb • Discoloration of feet and legs • Blood-tinged mouth and nose discharges. Avian Influenza (AI) • Prevention – Keep wild waterfowl away from your birds – Separate the species of birds (i.e. separate the chickens from the ducks) – Clean and disinfect equipment that has been used around other birds – Have your birds routinely tested for AI – Purchase birds from NPIP AI Clean flocks – Separate new birds from your flock for at least 3 weeks Photo by Joan McClenny Fowl Pox • Background – Slow spreading virus – Affects chickens, turkeys and other species of birds – Can be transmitted through mosquitoes – Two forms of Fowl Pox • Cutaneous • Diphtheritic • Symptoms – Cutaneous • Mild reduction in weight gain • Temporary loss of egg production • Lesions on the head, neck, legs and feet • Low mortality – Diphtheritic • Lesions in the upper respiratory system, digestive tract, nasal cavity • May lead to nasal or eye discharge • Low mortality • Prevention – Fowl Pox vaccination Infectious Bronchitis (IB) • Background – A virus that occurs in chickens – Rapidly spreads and highly contagious – Spread through respiratory discharge and • Airborne droplets • Ingestion of contaminated feed and water • Symptoms – Chicks • Coughing • Sneezing • • • • Nasal discharge Weakness Depression Huddling near heat source – Adult birds • • • • Coughing Sneezing Drop in egg production Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs • Prevention – Vaccines can be used Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) • Background – Occurs primarily in chickens – Clinical signs and mortality are more severe in birds 36 weeks old – Birds less than 3 weeks old do not show symptoms – Shed in feces • Symptoms – – – – – – – – – Tremors or unsteadiness Depression Anorexia Ruffled feathers A droopy appearance Diarrhea Dehydration Vent pecking Low mortality • Prevention – Vaccines are available Roundworms • Background – There are many different types of roundworms that can infect poultry – Younger birds are more likely to become ill – But can affect birds of any age – Spread through feces – Earthworms are common carriers of some roundworms • Symptoms – – – – Thin Poor feather quality Pale inside of mouth Diarrhea or droppings pasted to their feathers near their vent – Birds can die from severe infections – If one or two birds are showing signs of roundworm, then the whole flock should be treated • Prevention – Use feeders and waterers designed to minimize contamination Round Worms – Don’t allow birds to eat off of the ground – Use deep litter in the coop so the birds do not eat feces – Clean out coop frequently to remove feces Photo by Sue Young Coccidia • Background – Protozoal disease of poultry – Caused by the protozoa Eimeria – 9 species of Eimeria in chickens & 7 in turkeys – Wide range of symptoms depending on the type of Eimeria – Shed in feces which can contaminate feed, water, dust, soil and litter • Symptoms – Diarrhea (may have mucous or blood present) – Inflammation of the small intestines – Decreased growth rate – Decreased egg production – Dehydration – Listlessness – Weakness • Prevention – Purchase feed with Anticoccidial Compounds • Does not affect all types of Eimeria – Vaccines are available Lice • Background – There are over 40 species of lice that are specific to domestic poultry – Examine the vent area, underside of the wings, the head, and legs to locate the lice – Most lice are straw-colored • Prevention – Pesticide treatments • Use a treatment that is approved for use on birds – Lice do not live in the environment, so remove infected feathers from the premises – Inspect birds on a monthly or bi-weekly basis Mites • • Depluming Mites Background – Mites feed on blood, feathers, skin, or scales – Some mites are known or suspected of causing other diseases – There are many different types of mites that affect poultry – A few are: • Chicken Mite-Red Mite – Can cause anemia and death (especially in young birds) • Northern Fowl Mite – Heavy infestations appear as blackened feathers – After handling the bird, the mites may transfer to humans – Live on feathers or in the quills – Resulting in loss of feathers, causing inability to regulate temperature • Scaly Leg Mites – Affected skin becomes thickened and crusty – Without treatment the bird can become crippled. • Prevention – Insecticides can be used • Powders, sprays or dusts Preventing Disease on the Farm • Biosecurity is the main way of preventing the introduction of diseases onto your farm – Biosecurity reduces the risk of pathogens from forming, which prevents the spread of diseases from one flock to another – Preventing illness in birds and other animals, is very similar to preventing illness in humans • Good hygiene is imperative Benefits of Biosecurity • Biosecurity reduces the number of pathogens on a farm • Biosecurity also : – Increases productivity and production – Decreases the use of medication (antibiotics) – Enhances the value of the flock Biosecurity Steps • Keep your birds in a protected area – Keep them fenced in to prevent animals and people from entering the pen – A hard roof or tarp will prevent wild birds from entering the pen • Keep wild waterfowl droppings out of the coop • Fresh water should be available at all times – Nipple drinkers or rabbit type drinkers reduce the spread of disease Biosecurity Steps • When visitors visit your farm, provide them with boots or disposable booties – This will prevent the transmission of disease on your farm – Clean and disinfect the boots when they leave and dispose of disposable booties • Do not let people that own birds enter your bird area. Biosecurity Steps • Clean and sanitize equipment and supplies – Sanitizing equipment and supplies reduces pathogens • This is especially important when vehicles, equipment or supplies have been near other birds (i.e. fairs, auctions, etc.) • Wear coveralls or special clothing when working with your birds. – Clean your clothes after working with your birds • Work from youngest to oldest birds – Young birds are highly susceptible of being infected with a pathogen Biosecurity Steps • Eliminate excess trees, grass, and debris around the chicken pen – These items can harbor rodents and other animals that can spread disease in your flock, or harm your birds – Control rodents in order to reduce the spread of disease in your flock • Keep feed in a sealed container – Keeping feed away from rodents and other birds is essential when trying to keep your flock healthy Biosecurity Steps • Stir or rake bedding (litter) often so manure is evenly spread throughout and moisture is absorbed – This will reduce flies and odors • Sick and dying birds should be separated from the flock immediately • Thoroughly clean and disinfect poultry housing between flocks to ensure that there aren’t pathogens present

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