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Early Disease Detection
What are the signs to notice for early disease detection in broilers and layers flock?
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7 Replies
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Feed Intake
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Snoring at night is also an indication
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1. Changes in Behavior:
Lethargy or depression – birds appear sleepy or inactive
Isolation – birds separate themselves from the group
Loss of appetite – decreased feed and water intake
Reluctance to move – especially in broilers
2. Changes in Physical Appearance:
Ruffled feathers
Droopy wings
Pale combs and wattles (in layers)
Swollen head, eyes, or joints
Discoloration of beak, legs, or comb
3. Abnormal Droppings:
Watery or loose feces
Bloody or greenish droppings
Undigested feed particles in droppings
Foamy or mucous-covered stool
4. Respiratory Symptoms:
Coughing or sneezing
Gasping or open-mouth breathing
Nasal discharge
Noisy breathing (rales)
5. In Layers: Changes in Egg Production:
Drop in egg production
Poor shell quality – soft, thin, or misshapen eggs
Discolored or watery egg whites
6. Poor Growth or Weight Gain:
Uneven flock size
Stunted birds not catching up with others
Low feed conversion efficiency (FCR)
7. Increased Mortality:
Sudden deaths or increasing daily mortality rate
Dead birds with no prior visible signs should be investigated immediately
8. Limping or Lameness:
Joint swelling or pain
Difficulty standing or walking
Can indicate bacterial arthritis, nutritional deficiency, or viral infections
9. Unusual Flock Patterns:
Clustering near heat or water
Unusual vocalizations or silence
Uneven distribution in the house.
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Generally, their droppings and level of activity can tell the state of their health
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Check the droppings
Observe their feeding pattern
Check if they are active
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Bird droppings,feathers comb colour feeding behaviour
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I personally check out their droppings for greenish, whitish, reddish colour and that has always informed me of early signs of disease.
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