TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION (TLE)

(Animal Production VIII)

Third Quarter (Module 8)

Preventive and Control Measures Against Parasites and Diseases of Poultry

Name of Learner: ________________________________________________________________________

Grade and Section: ________________________________________________________________________
Name of School: _________________________________________________________________________

What I Need to Know

This module provides you the knowledge, skills and attitudes required in
Preventive and Control Measures against Parasites and Diseases of Poultry

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the common parasites, and diseases of poultry;

2. discuss appropriate prevention and control of common poultry diseases; and
3. appreciate the value of proper hygiene and sanitation as preventive measures
against diseases.

What’s In

In doing such activities at home especially in flock Uniformity.

A. What’s the importance of flock uniformity in egg production project?

B. What are the reasons for culling hens?

C. What should be done to prevent infectious diseases?

D. What are the following records to be kept during the entire laying period?
What’s New

Activity 1: JUMBLE SOLVER

Direction: Arrange the jumbled letter to get the correct term.

1. The impairment that interrupts the performance of the vital function of the
poultry.

ASDSEEI ____________________________

2. One that lives on or in another organism to obtain its food.

SAPRIEAT ___________________________

3. Removal of materials injurious to health.

ASAITTINON ________________________

4. Transmitted

EIFCUSTINOS _______________________

5. Violent break of disease affecting large number at once.

ROTKBUA ___________________________

What is It

Poultry diseases are one of the major setbacks in poultry production. A disease is

an impairment that interrupts or modifies the performance of the vital functions of poultry.

It is usually characterized by inherent weakness. Poultry raisers suffer considerable losses

when their birds are attacked by diseases. The infestation of diseases poses a grave threat

to the poultry industry. Some poultry raisers are never able to recover from losses due to

diseases.
COMMON DISEASES OF POULTRY
AVIAN PEST (New Castle Disease)

Cause New Castle Disease Virus

 Direct contact with the nasal and mouth discharges of infected

birds
Transmission  Airborne transmission
 Through mechanical means such as being carried by birds,
predators, etc.
 Farm visitors with contaminated clothes and shoes
 Sharp drop in feed intake; egg production stops or got scanty
 In your birds , gasping, coughing, rattling of the windpipe,
Signs coarse chirping, paralysis, walking backward and circling, high
mortality and rapid spread
 Vaccination, consult your veterinarian for a program suited to
your operation
Prevention  Disinfecting all watering and feeding equipment
 Isolating birds from healthy ones

CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)

Cause Mycoplasma gallisepticum

 CRD organism is egg-borne; contacted exposure with infected

flock
Transmission  Airborne
 Contaminated feed, water and farm equipment. Direct contact
with the nasal and mouth discharges of infected birds
Signs  Tracheal rales, sneezing, coughing, watery or sticky discharge
from the nostrils, swelling of the face.
 Foamy exudates in the eyes
 Feed consumption is reduced and birds lose weight
 Rapid spread, decreased egg production and hatchability
anticipation  Broad spectrum antibiotics, either by injection or mixed with
the feeds or drinking water
 Rigid sanitation

FOWL POX

Cause Virus

 Spread by mosquitoes which feed on pox-infected birds; direct

contact
Transmission  Mechanically transmitted by visitors, wild birds and predators
  Dry form-characterized by the formation of black wart-like
nodules on the skin of the face, in the region of the comb, wattles,
and around the eyes, causing the latter to swell and close. There
is usually profuse eye discharge.
Signs  Wet form-characterized by the presence of whitish yellow growth
of the pharynx, larynx, and windpipe. Because of the growth,
there is difficulty in breathing which will result in death

Prevention  Vaccination with fowl pox vaccines. Control the mosquitoes by

spraying with insecticides
There is no effective treatment against the disease. In the wet form,
removal of the wart-like growth in the throat usually leads to
Treatment recovery. In the dry form. the early application of tincture of iodine
directly on the wart-like growth has been found to give beneficial
results

INFECTIOUS CORYZA ( Colds or Sipon)

Cause Haemophilus gallinarum

 Through the air, direct contactor through contamination

of the feed , water equipment
Transmission  Sudden change in temperature
 Unsanitary housing conditions
 Swelling of the face and wattles and discharge from the
nostrils, which at first is watery,. But becomes sticky and
Signs with foul odor as the disease progresses
 Decrease in feed intake
 In laying flock, egg production decreases
Prevention  Strict sanitation of the farm. Isolate sick birds
immediately
 Avoid stress conditions
Treatment  Broad spectrum antibiotics applied in feed and water and
sulfa preparation are recommended

Other Common Poultry Diseases and Their Treatment and Control:

1. Avian Malaria. This is a protozoan infection of the blood stream in tropical areas which is
spread by mosquitoes. Avian malaria is characterized with the chickens dropping their heads and
frequent chilling. It causes reduced egg production and eventually results to mortality. There is no
known effective treatment. However, maintenance of sanitation and hygiene through proper
drainage will eliminate the growth of the mosquito carriers to prevent this disease.

2. Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro). This is a highly contagious viral infection which can
cause severe mortality and reduce growth rate in chicks from two to six weeks of age. The disease
is prevalent whatever poultry is kept. Live and dead vaccines are available. These vaccines can
induce high levels of maternal antibodies in chicks which give protection for about four to five
weeks.

3. Cage Layer Fatigue. This ailment is characterized by paralysis with thin brittle bones which
frequently fracture. It occurs in high producing commercial layers kept in cages. Most often, it is
 associated with deficiency of calcium and phosphorous in the diet. Treatment with Vitamin D and
extra phosphorous may be helpful.

4. Scaly Leg is caused by mites burrowing under the scales of the

poultry’s legs and feet As a result, the shanks become enlarged and
roughened, and in serious cases, the affected birds may become
lame. The disease may be treated by brushing off the crust after
soaking the legs in soapsuds, and coating the clean portions with
creolated Vaseline. Dipping the legs in kerosene and coconut oil
mixture of one to one proportion is another effective treatment for
scaly leg.

5. Coccidiosis. This disease is one of the most dangerous diseases among poultry. It is caused
by small protozoan parasites called coccidian which attack the digestive system. Chicks from two
weeks to three months old are highly susceptible. Chicks suffering from this disease become
droopy and depressed.

Among the Internal and External Parasites the Infect Poultry are the following:

1. Intestinal Worms. The most common intestinal worm is the roundworm and tapeworm.
Roundworms are long, cylindrical, and vary in size from a centimeter or less to more than ten
centimeters in length. Tapeworms are long, flat and segmented. Young birds that are affected
with intestinal worms become very thin, dull and sleepy. Drugs to control worms are available
in the local market;

2. Lice. Do not cause serious harm to adult fowls, except when they are heavily infested, when
chicken lose vigor and become susceptible to other diseases. Laying flocks heavily infested with
lice will not lay eggs regularly. A good insect powder like sodium fluoride may be sprinkled
underneath the feathers to kill the lice. Nicotine sulfate solution applied in the upper surface of
the roost will also keep the flocks free from lice;

3. Mites. Layers are disturbed by mites. Infested young chicks lose their vigor and vitality and
become emaciated. Effective preventive measures against mites are cleanliness, dry
surroundings, good ventilation, and sufficient sunlight. To control mites, nest that is badly
infested should be burned and roost, nest, and walls of the house should be painted with
nicotine sulfate solution.

However, diseases should not be considered as the ultimate deterrent

to raising poultry because diseases can be controlled and prevented.
When diseases start in a flock, the most important thing to do is to
act quickly to prevent the disease from spreading. It is only through prompt
action and care that ravages of poultry diseases may be reduced to the
minimum. Precautionary measures should be undertaken immediately and,
whenever possible, treatment should begin at once.

For the prevention of infectious diseases, observe the following

guidelines:

1. Construct poultry houses that will provide adequate ventilation and facilitate cleaning,
disinfection, and maintenance of sanitary conditions. Poultry houses should preferably be
fenced with chicken wire or any other suitable materials to provide protection from other
 animals that may serve as carriers of diseases or be a nuisance to the general comfort of
the flock;
2. Provide the flock with comfortable quarters equipped with proper fixtures. Overcrowding,
lack of feeding and watering space and substandard brooding procedures can easily cause
the outbreak of a disease;
3. If possible, practice the all-in-all-out methods of raising poultry to allow a rest period
between operations. Periodic complete depopulation is an efficient way to eliminate
infectious organisms from the farm as many of these cannot survive a long period of time
without a susceptible host;
4. Purchase stocks from reputable sources. Well-established hatcheries usually have better
management and health practices that produce better-quality, disease- free, and disease
resistant chicks;
5. As much as possible, the flock should not be exposed to stresses such as inclement weather,
extremes in temperature, series of vaccination shipment from far away places. feed and
water deprivation which can, undermine the resistance of birds to infection. Since some of
these stresses cannot be avoided, painkilling / soothing measures must be instituted to
lessen their adverse effects. The use of antibiotic-vitamin-mineral supplementations is
practical to hasten the adaptive efficiency of the chicken’s body and help discharge the
infection;
6. Use nutritionally balanced feeds and rations and provide clean drinking at all times.
Malnutrition can cause specific diseases or make the flock susceptible to other diseases;

7. Practice effective management of poultry manure and other animal waste. These are
possible sources of infection, organisms, and parasites which can bring health risk to the
flock. Properly disposed animal manure and excrements can be processed into fertilizers
for plants;
8. Isolate sick poultry and disposed of dead birds immediately so as not to spread infection by
contaminating the feeds, water, and equipment;
9. Maintain poultry records. These records are useful gauges in determining the profitability
and efficiency in production and in keeping track of the general health problems
encountered in the project;
10. Consult the services of veterinarian in case of an outbreak of a disease which is beyond
your control. Almost all disease is easier to cure at the early stages of infection. Likewise,
the spread of diseases is easier to arrest at the start of outbreak.

Disease outbreak can be prevented by instituting the following vaccination program

Age of Type of Route of

Remarks
Birds Vaccine Administration

8-10 days NCD or Intranasal Chicks from unvaccinated parents

Avian Pest may be vaccinated as early as 3
Vaccine days of age

21-24 days Fowl Pox Wing web May not be given to areas when
Vaccine the disease is not common

26-28 days NCD Intranasal or Chick protection 10-14 after

Intramuscular vaccination. Revaccinate if
protection is low
 What’s More
Multiple Choice
Directions: Read the statements carefully. Encircle the letter that corresponds to your correct
answer.
1. What is the most important thing to do when disease starts in a flock?
A. Prevent the disease from spreading. B. Let the disease attack the flock.
C. Dress all birds affected with the disease. D. Market all your stocks.
2. An impairment that interrupts the performance of the vital functions of poultry is called
_______.
A. disease B. parasites C. inclement weather D. all of the above
3. Disease infestation is more likely to occur when birds are _______.
A. overcrowded C. improper hygiene and sanitation
B. lack of feeding and watering space D. all of the above
4. A practical way to hasten the adaptive efficiency of chickens to discharge infection is to
_______.
A. expose birds to inclement weather.
B. deprive them of feed and water.
C. expose them to extreme temperature.
D. use antibiotic- vitamin-mineral supplements
5. Possible sources of infection which can bring health risk to the flock are:
A. unsanitary surroundings B. improper disposal of manure
C. improper disposal of dead birds D. all of the above

What I Have Learned

Directions: Identify the following terms inside the box that best describes the following statement
below. Write the letter of your choice on the space provided before each number.

Disease Parasite Veterinarian

Sanitation Outbreak

___________1. A violent break of disease affecting large number at once.

___________2. The removal of materials injurious to health.

___________3. Any person authorized to practice veterinary medicine.

___________4. One that lives on or in another organism to obtain its food.

___________5. The impairment that interrupts the performance of the vital function of the poultry.

What I Can Do

Activity 1
LET US APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Survey several poultry raisers in your locality to find out which diseases and
parasites are the most prevalent. Ask them about the preventive and control measures
they use in treating these common diseases and parasites.

Write the data you gathered in a separate sheet and submit it to your teacher for
checking.
Multiple Choice

Assessment
Directions: Read the statements carefully. Encircle the letter that corresponds to your
correct answer.

1. Losses caused by diseases include the following except one. Which of these is the
exemption?
A. outright deaths
B. reduced egg production
C. retarded growth
D. increase production

2. How are poultry diseases transferred from one bird to another?

A. through drinking water and contaminated feeds
B. through the eggs
C. through the caretaker
D. through the eyes

3. How can a prospective poultry raiser get rid of poultry parasites and diseases?
A. Begin with a clean and healthy stocks.
B. Buy chicks from hatcheries known to be free from infectious diseases.
C. Practice strict hygiene and sanitation.
D. all of the above

4. Which is not a proven care and management practices of poultry?

A. Avoid overcrowding.
B. Follow approved practices.
C. Keep flock healthy.
D. Keep birds eating all the time.

5. If the flock is already infected with infectious diseases, what will you do?
A. Remove all dead and sick birds from the flock.
B. Kill the sick birds and feed to other animals
C. Dress all sick birds and cook for food.
D. Attend to the sick birds and never mind those healthy ones.