Fungal diseases

FUNGAL DISEASES

Brooder Pneumonia

  • Young chicks of 1-2 weeks of age are affected.
  • A high mortality rate of 10-50 percent is noted, with symptoms of gasping, respiratory distress and strong thirst.
  • Yellowish white pin-point filaments on lungs are present.
  • Avoid using mouldy, fungus-infested litter material. Use thoroughly cleaned drinkers and feeders.

Mycotoxicosis

  • Caused by mycotoxins, this disease is produced by fungi in feed ingredients.
  • Reduced feed intake, poor growth rate or egg production, breakdown of immunity and vaccination failures are the consequences.
  • Sun-dry feed ingredients. Avoid using mouldy ingredients; use toxin binders like zeolites, aluminium silicate or charcoal in the feed.
  • Add liver tonics. Withdraw fungal-infested feed.

Coccidiosis

  • Three common types of coccidiosis can occur. Caecal and duodenal types affect younger birds.
  • Birds over 10 weeks of age are affected by intestinal coccidiosis. Mortality is higher in younger birds.
  • Reddish diarrhoea, stunted growth and crouching are noticeable symptoms.
  • There is a loss of raw or digested blood through droppings.
  • Performance is very severely affected because of poor absorption of nutrients through the intestine.
  • Avoid wet litter. Ensure proper management. Avoid spillage of water.
  • Coccidiostats like superdot, clopidol, cycostat,etc., should be used in broiler mashes and brooder and grower mashes.
  • Coccicidal drugs like salinomycin and maduramycin should be used in broiler mashes only.
  • Preventive water medication with coccidiostats like amprolium, codrinal, etc., may also be adopted.
  • The coccidiostats used in feed may be rotated every three to six months to prevent the parasite developing resistance against the drug in use.
Last modified: Sunday, 3 June 2012, 6:47 AM