Commercial broiler breeders are typically housed in the breeder house at a ratio

of
10 Hens to 1 cockrel
Young turkeys are called?
Poults
Cell mediated immunity is centred in the?
Thymus
Humoral immunity is centred in the?
Bursa of Fabricius
Broiler breeder flocks are routinely vaccinated with both live and inactivated v
accines because...?
the live vaccine acts to prime to the birds to stimulate a
n anamnestic response to subsequent vaccination with an inactivated vaccine.
Who sets the regulations for chicken vaccines? USDA
Avian Influenza. What is it also known as and what type of virus is it?
Aka 'Fowl Plague'
and is an Orthomyxovirus type A
Potential Zoonotic dz. Notifiable.
HP forms are H5 or H7
Major CSx of Avian Influenza
sudden death
egg drop
coughing
nasal/ocular discharge
diarrhoea (green)
nervous signs (paralysis)
swollen face/cyanosis of combs & wattles
ROI of avian Influenza
oral, conjunctival & respiratory
3 5 day incubation period
Major PM signs of AI
air saculitis, tracheitis, conjunctivitis & sinusitis
ovarian regression or haemorrhage
necrosis of comb & wattle skin
subcutaneous oedema of head & neck
ecchymoses of shanks & feet
dehydration/muscle congestion
haemorrhage in proventriculus, gizzard & lymph n
NO TREATMENT
Chicken Anaemia.
Aka? Type of Virus?
Cirvoviridae
also called "blue wing disease" or "haemorrhagic aplastic anaemia syndrome"
Major CSx of Chicken Anaemia
anorectic, lethargic, and pale
PCV is low (<27), blood smears can show pancytopenia (depending on stage of dise
ase).
Death can occur
Gangrenous dermatitis ( blue wing ).
What does Anaemia result from in Chicken Anaemia
From destruction of hemo
cytoblasts in the bone marrow
ROI for Chicken Anaemia Via Egg, fomites or direct contact
Major PM findings w Chicken Anaemia
Organs pale
Thymus & bursa of Fabricius small
Bone marrow pale or yellow
Hemorrhage may be present in varied locations
Diagnosis of Chicken Anaemia
Detection of virus antigen or DNA in thymus, bon
e marrow, or liver
Commercial ELISA available to detect antibodies
NO TREATMENT. Can tx 2ndary infections w AB's.
NO vaccine available in USA.
Coccidiosis is what? And which ones are of significance in CHICKENS
Intracel
lular protozoan parasite (Eimeria spp). 9 Spp in chickens, w 5 of significance.
(BANTM)
E. acervulina
E. necatrix
E. tenella

E. maxima
E. brunetti
Easiest way to tell them apart is their effect/location in the GIT.
Incubation period = 4 6d
These species are host specific (chickens only)
Major CSx of Coccidiosis
bloody droppings (not all), diarrhoea, wet litte
r
depression
reduced wt gain, increased FCR
ROI of coccidiosis
ingestion (oral) of oocysts in infected faeces
Major PM findings w coccidiosis
and Dx...
dependant on species (location in gut)
enteritis (may involve haemorrhage
species)
Dx
clinical signs, gross and histopathology
isolation of oocysts from scrapings of intestinal tract
Treatment, Control & Prevention of coccidiosis
Infected can be medicated via wa
ter w range of coccidiocidal AB's (amprolium, toltrazuril)
Prevent
in feed coccidiostats (ionophore AB's e.g monensin, salinomycin, narasin)
good hygiene & shed management (disinfection)
Vaccine (Paracox)
Eimeria Nectarix Major lesions...
In the & middle small intestine
E. Tenella
Found ONLY in the caeca. See accumulation of blood in the caeca
and bloody droppings. May find caecal cores (clotted blood + tissue debris + o
ocysts) in birds that survive acute stage.
E. Maxima
Mid lower SI affected
E. acervulina Numerous white transverse patches in the upper half of the SI (d
uodenum).
E. brunetti
In severe infections may see coagulative necrosis, mucoid bloody
enteritis, & sloughing of the mucosa thru most of the SI (esp lower SI & rectum
).
Coccidiosis in TURKEYS
E. adenoeides in ceca
E. dispersa in entire small intestine
E. gallopavonis in lower small intestine and rectum
E. meleagrimitis in middle half of small intestine.
Causative agent of Erysipelas Erysipelas rhusiopathiae
Primarily a turkey prob causing acute fulminating infection of individuals
Can be pathogenic for Turkeys of all ages
Major CSx of Erysipelas
Depression (droopy)
Unsteady gait
Swollen
Purplish snoods (in toms) (fleshy/wrinkled fold of skin that hangs down over a t
urkey's beak)
Sudden death
ROI of Erysipelas
Comb'n of contaminated enviro & entry via wounds, breaks
in MM's
PM finding's w Erysipelas
Generalised septicaemia
Liver & spleen enlarged & friable (+/ mottled)
Peritonitis & pericarditis
Cartarrhal exduate in GIT
Degen'n of fat assoc'd w thigh & heart
Dx based on CSx, PM signs & culture
Tx and Control Penicillin, vaccination.
Good hygiene & management
Fowl cholera is aka? And casual agent is?
Aka Avian haemorrhagic septicemi
a.

Agent = Pasturella multocida (different strains)

Affects range of poultry spp > 6wks
Turkeys more affected than chickens
Older more than young
Major CSx of Fowl Cholera
Depression, ruffled feathers, loss appetite.
D+, coughing, nasal, ocular & oral discharge w swollen & cyanotic wattles & face
.
Sudden death
Swollen joints & assoc'd lameness
> Can range from acute septicaemia to chronic & localised infections & morbidity/m
ortality may be up to 100%
ROI of Fowl Cholera (avian hemorrhagic septicaemia)
Highly contagious
Incubation period 5 8d
Easily destroyed by enviro factors & disinfectants. May persist in soil
Spread Oral nasal route
Flock additions, free flying birds, predators, rodents all possibilities
Trans via nasal exudate, faeces, contam soil, equipment & ppl
Cannibalism of sick/dead
> dissemination
Reservoirs of infec'n in other spp (rodents, cats, pigs?)
Major PM w Avian hemorrhagic septicemia Sometimes none, or hemorrhage at a few s
ites.
Enteritis
yolk peritonitis
Focal hepatitis
Purulent pneumonia
Cellulitis of face & wattles
Purulent arthritis
Lungs w consolidated pink 'cooked' appearance in turkeys.
Dx of Fowl cholera (Avian hemorrhagic Septicemia)
Pathology, impression sm
ears & bacteria isolation
Tx/control Fowl cholera
Prevention
AB therapy (tetracyclines, sulphonamides)
Penicillin for individual birds
Oft recurs after med's stopped
may need long term or periodic meds.
Prevent
Control predisposing factors e.g. high density, concurrent infections (esp resp)
.
Biosecurity essential
Good rodent control, hygiene
Vaccination optional.
Hemorrhagic enteritis causative agent Viral dz of turkeys similar to marble sp
leen in pheasants.
Type II adenovirus.
Major CSx of Hemorrhagic enteritis
Sudden death
Blood from VENT of moribund birds
Drop in feed/water consumption
D+ (7wk old turkeys)
Immunosuppression predisposing to coccidiosis & resp dz
Morbidity can reach 100% & mortality 10 60%
ROI of hemorrhagic enteritis
Laterally spread (oral)
> infected facility or equ
ipment
Virus survives months in frozen faeces & weeks in contaminated litter.
Major PM findings hemorrhagic enteritis
Petechial lesions in range of organs
Intestine distended w blood
Mottled & enlarged spleen
Dx
CSx & PM lesions, repro of dz filtered gut contents, serology
Tx & control
TLC, supportive tetracyclines
Antiserum from recovered flocks

Autogenous vaccines made from spleen (mild strains from pheasants)

Disinfect house & rest for 3 4wks
Prevent = biosecurity & hygiene
Heterrakis Gallinarum = NEMATODE
Affects chicken, turkey, duck & game birds.
Direct LC (bird bird trans, no IHost)
affects caecum
> may thicken, inflammation or nodulation in caecal walls.
> mild dz
transmits HISTOMONAS MELEAGRIDIS (protozoan causing 'blackhead')
Tx = Tetramisole, fenbendazole, levamisole.
Histomonas Meleagridis aka?
'Black head' or Infectious enterohepatitis
Major CSx Histomonas Meleagridis
Depression
Inappetance
Poor growth rates
Sulphur yellow D+
Cyanotic head
Blood in faeces (chickens)
Rarely seen in commercial flocks but occurs in free range or backyard flocks
ROI Histomonas Meleagridis
Ingested via eggs of Heterakis gallinae or in ea
rthworms or contaminated faeces.
Survival poor o/s earthworm or Heterakis egg
IP = 15 20d
Major PM findings of Histomonas Meleagridis (Heterakis Gallinae)
Enlarged
Caeca, casseous caecal cores (yellow, green or grey)
Irregular round liver lesions = turkeys.
Dx, Tx, Control, Prevention of Histomonas Meleagridis (Heterakis Gallinae)
Dx = CSx, path & parasite isolation.
Tx/Control = Nitarsone (arsenical) in USA. Hygiene.
Prevent = Hygiene & biosecurity (concrete floors). Reg worming.
Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) agent?
Coronavirus.
Highly contagious. 18 36hr incubation. v.com in broilers.
Major CSx of infectious bronchitis Virus
Depression, loss appetite, cough
ing, huddling, gasping, dyspnoea. Wet littler, D+, egg drop, poor egg shell qua
lity misshapen (crinkly!) & thin, watery albumen.
ROI of Infectious Bronchitis virus
Conjunctiva/URT
Aerosols, bird bird & fomites (4wks)
Maj PM findings Mild/mod resp tract infec'n/inflammation
tracheal oedema, tracheitis & air saculitis
cheesy plugs in bronchi & trachea
kidneys & bronchi may be swollen & ureters may contain urate crystals
Infectious Bursal Disease Virus
Aka? Virus? Birnavirus (affects chickens S1,
ducks & turkeys S2)
Also galled Gumboro
Characteristics of Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease Virus)
Severe Immunosup
pression (14 28d of age)
Highly contagious
Persists for mths in enviro
Meal worms & litter mites can harbour virus
Most pathogenic in commercial layers
Major CSx of Infectious Bursal disease (Gumboro)
Depression
Inappetance
Usteady gait
Huddling UNDER equipment
Vent pecking
D+ (Urates in mucous)
ROI = ORAL
Major PM findings of infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
(may have hemorrhages)

Odematous Bursa

Bursa then proceeds to atrophy

Hemorrhages in skeletal muscles (thighs)
Dehydration
Swollen kidneys w urates
Dx of infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Hx, lesions & histopath
Serology/virus isolation
NO TX
AB's for 2ndary bacterial infection
Prevention of infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Vaccination (breeders &
progeny)
live & killed. Hygiene & biosecurity.
Infectious Coryza
infectious agent? Haemophilus paragallinarum
Major CSx of infectous coryza
catarrhal inflam'n of URT, esp nasal & sinus muc
osa
swelling of face & wattles, sneezing & dyspnoea
purulent ocular and nasal discharge
loss in condition & reduced
appetite
egg drop
high morbidity
low mortality if uncomplicated
Characteristics of infectious coryza
highly infectious but only affects chick
ens
incubation period of 1 3 days
followed by 2 3 days of dz
whole flock will fall in 10 days
H.paragallinarum survives several days outside
easily killed by heat, drying & disinfectants
ROI of infectious Coryza
Conjunctiva or Nasal (not vertical)
Major PM findings of Infectious Coryza
Inflamm'n of nasal passages, sinuses & t
rachea
Conjuntivitis & eye lid appearance
Cheesy material in conjunctiva/sinus
Tx/Control/Prevention of infectious corzya
AB therapy
erythromycin, OTC, fl
ouroquinolones & macrolides
Prevent
Source stock from coryza free flocks
All in/all out policy
Vaccination is option
Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILT) Causative agent
= Herpesvirus
Major CSx of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus Chickens 5wks+
Resp difficulties/gasping
Coughing up mucous & blood ***
Egg drop
Occular discharge, sinusitis, nasal discharge
Characteristic of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus
4 21d IB period
up to 70% mortality
Long term carrier status
Persists in enviro
need disinfectants
Mixing, moving, point of lay = stressors
ROI of infectious laryngotracheitis virus
Conjunctiva/URT/Oral
Slow lateral spread via aerosole, birds & fomites
Infectious Coryza
infectious agent? Haemophilus paragallinarum
Major CSx of infectous coryza
catarrhal inflam'n of URT, esp nasal & sinus muc
osa
swelling of face & wattles, sneezing & dyspnoea
purulent ocular and nasal discharge
loss in condition & reduced
appetite
egg drop
high morbidity
low mortality if uncomplicated
Characteristics of infectious coryza
highly infectious but only affects chick

ens
incubation period of 1 3 days
followed by 2 3 days of dz
whole flock will fall in 10 days
H.paragallinarum survives several days outside
easily killed by heat, drying & disinfectants
ROI of infectious Coryza
Conjunctiva or Nasal (not vertical)
Major PM findings of Infectious Coryza
Inflamm'n of nasal passages, sinuses & t
rachea
Conjuntivitis & eye lid appearance
Cheesy material in conjunctiva/sinus
Tx/Control/Prevention of infectious corzya
AB therapy
erythromycin, OTC, fl
ouroquinolones & macrolides
Prevent
Source stock from coryza free flocks
All in/all out policy
Vaccination is option
Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILT) Causative agent
= Herpesvirus
Major CSx of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus Chickens 5wks+
Resp difficulties/gasping
Coughing up mucous & blood ***
Egg drop
Occular discharge, sinusitis, nasal discharge
Characteristic of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus
4 21d IB period
up to 70% mortality
Long term carrier status
Persists in enviro
need disinfectants
Mixing, moving, point of lay = stressors
ROI of infectious laryngotracheitis virus
Conjunctiva/URT/Oral
Slow lateral spread via aerosole, birds & fomites
Major PM findings of infectious larygotracheitis virus
AND TX Severe laryngotracheitis, oft w bloody mucous & 'cheesy' plugs present
Dx = CSx, gross & histopath
Virus isolation
NO TX
AB therapy for 2ndary bacterial infection
Vaccination (>4wks)
Marek's Disease
causative agent
= Herpes Virus
Major CSx of Marek's Disease
Neuro
Infiltration into CNS
> 'floppy broiler syndrome'
transient or long standing paralysis of legs or wings & neck
Eye lesions; grey iris or irregular pupil
Vision impairment
Visceral
tumours in heart, ovary, testes, muscles, lungs
Wt loss
Cutaneous
Tumours of feather follicles
Skin around feather follicles = raised & roughened
> Infected birds have virus for life. Mainly affects chickens (rarely turkeys). Y
oung chicks thru to 40wk old birds.
ROI of Marek's Disease Highly contagious
Resp/aerosol w infective feather follicle dander, fomites etc.
Major PM of Mareks Disease
Grey white areas of tissue in liver, spleen, kidne
y, lung, gonads, heart & skeletal muscle.
Thickening of nerve trunks & loss of striation.
NO TX
> CULL.
Vacc for resistant strains (as day old or in ovo)
Genetics can help by increasing freq of B21 gene which provides increased resist
ance to Marek's disease.

Major PM findings of infectious larygotracheitis virus

AND TX Severe laryngotracheitis, oft w bloody mucous & 'cheesy' plugs present
Dx = CSx, gross & histopath
Virus isolation
NO TX
AB therapy for 2ndary bacterial infection
Vaccination (>4wks)
Marek's Disease
causative agent
= Herpes Virus
NEWCASTLE DISEASE Causal agent Avian Paramyxovirus type 1
1 serotype
5 pathotypes
Major CSx of Marek's Disease
Neuro
Infiltration into CNS
> 'floppy broiler syndrome'
transient or long standing paralysis of legs or wings & neck
Eye lesions; grey iris or irregular pupil
Vision impairment
Visceral
tumours in heart, ovary, testes, muscles, lungs
Wt loss
Cutaneous
Tumours of feather follicles
Skin around feather follicles = raised & roughened
> Infected birds have virus for life. Mainly affects chickens (rarely turkeys). Y
oung chicks thru to 40wk old birds.
1 serotype
5 pathotypes of Newcastle disease 1. Asymptomatic enteric
2. Lentogenic (mild)
vaccine strain
respiratory
3. Mesogenic (Medium) Resp/neuro
4. Neurotropic velogenic (virulent)
neuro/resp
5. Viscerotropic velogenic (virulent) sudden death/GI
Major CSx of Newcastle disease Death
Resp (cough/dyspnoea)
Nervous (star gazing, paralysis, twisted necks)
Repro (egg drop, moult)
diarrhoea
ROI of Marek's Disease Highly contagious
Resp/aerosol w infective feather follicle dander, fomites etc.
Major PM of Mareks Disease
Grey white areas of tissue in liver, spleen, kidne
y, lung, gonads, heart & skeletal muscle.
Thickening of nerve trunks & loss of striation.
NO TX
> CULL.
Vacc for resistant strains (as day old or in ovo)
Genetics can help by increasing freq of B21 gene which provides increased resist
ance to Marek's disease.
Characteristics of Newcastle Disease
Highly contagious virus
persists up to 1yr (dust, fomites)
Can be carried by Pscittacines******
ROI = Aerosols, bird to bird, fomites & visitors. Not vertical but poor hatcher
y hygiene.
Major PM findings of Newcastle disease Air saculitis & tracheitis
Neurotic plaques in proventriculus (& hemorrhage), intestine & caecal tonsil
NEWCASTLE DISEASE Causal agent Avian Paramyxovirus type 1
1 serotype
5 pathotypes
1 serotype 5 pathotypes of Newcastle disease 1. Asymptomatic enteric
2. Lentogenic (mild)
vaccine strain
respiratory
3. Mesogenic (Medium) Resp/neuro
4. Neurotropic velogenic (virulent)
neuro/resp
5. Viscerotropic velogenic (virulent) sudden death/GI
Major CSx of Newcastle disease Death
Resp (cough/dyspnoea)
Nervous (star gazing, paralysis, twisted necks)
Repro (egg drop, moult)

diarrhoea
Characteristics of Newcastle Disease
Highly contagious virus
persists up to 1yr (dust, fomites)
Can be carried by Pscittacines******
ROI = Aerosols, bird to bird, fomites & visitors. Not vertical but poor hatcher
y hygiene.
Major PM findings of Newcastle disease Air saculitis & tracheitis
Neurotic plaques in proventriculus (& hemorrhage), intestine & caecal tonsil
Tx/Control/Prevent Newcastle disease
NO TX. Scorched earth response. NOTIFI
ABLE DZ.
Prevent = vacc (breeders & day old chicks).
Toxico Infectious Botulism
Causative agent and AKA. Clostridium botulinum (T
ype C = most com). ACDE can affect poultry.
Aka 'Limberneck'
Major CSx of Toxico infectious botulism Flaccid paralysis
progressing from legs
up to wings, neck & eyelids.
May drop beak to floor to prop themselves up.
or Recub w neck extended on floor
D+ in broilers w excess urates
death
Characterisics of toxico infectious botulism
Spread by GIT of avian spp.
Affected carcasses = most likely source.
ROI = via ingestion of preformed toxins or in vivo prod'n of toxin from infected
wound or GIT infection (caecae)
Major PM findings of toxico infectious botulism No specific gross or microscopic
lesions
Dx = CSx, No organ lesions, detection of toxins in serum (crop or intestinal was
hing's preferred).
Tx/Control/Prevent
Remove toxins from enviro.
ABs? (Bacitracin, chloretetracycline)
Prompt removal of dead chickens from poultry houses. Fly control. Cleaning & d
isinfection.
West Nile Virus
causal agent Flaviviridae (arthropod borne zoonosis)
New virulent strain Isr98 (israel & USA)
extensive mortality in wild & captive b
irds
Major CSx West Nile Virus
Death,
Anorexia, weakness, depression, wt loss.
Neuro = Circling, abnormal head & neck posture, ataxia.
Characteristics of WNV Natural LC involves mosquitoes & wild birds
Wide host range (birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, mosquitoes & ticks).
In mammals
humans & horses have clinical illness
Avian hosts = primary hosts
young chickens & geese adversely affected & amplify
virus prod'n.
ROI of WNV
Arthropod vector (mosquitoes 43 spp)
Major PM findings of WNV
Brain hemorrhage
Spleomegaly
Meninoencephalitis
Myocarditis
Dx of WNV
Intracerebral inoculation of suckling mice (??)
ELISA
Virus detection (PCR)
NO TX
Prevent = vacc, biosecurity, hygiene & vector control