NewCastle Diease
Disease Newcastle is the disease most widely feared by
poultry farmers around the world. When it strikes young chickens, mortality may
be as high as 100 percent. In parts of Asia, it is known as Ranikhet
Disease.
Cause - Virus transmitted by other chickens and other
species of birds.
Symptoms - Coughing, gasping and raspy breathing and/or
extreme nervousness, and distended crop. Inactivity, uncoordination, drowsiness,
huddling near heat source, drooping head, partial paralysis, coma, death. The
presence of all these symptoms does not confirm the diagnosis - only lab tests
can do that. Newcastle quite often appears as a respiratory condition before a
nervous condition appears.
Post mortem signs - Mucus in trachea, possibly yellow and
thickened air sacs; possible hemorrhages in proventriculus.
Treatment - None.
Prevention - Most countries have vaccines available. A
general rule of thumb used by many poultry experts is to vaccinate on a 4 - 4 -
4 schedule, meaning at four days of age, four weeks, and four months. But you
should use local recommendations.
poultry farmers around the world. When it strikes young chickens, mortality may
be as high as 100 percent. In parts of Asia, it is known as Ranikhet
Disease.
Cause - Virus transmitted by other chickens and other
species of birds.
Symptoms - Coughing, gasping and raspy breathing and/or
extreme nervousness, and distended crop. Inactivity, uncoordination, drowsiness,
huddling near heat source, drooping head, partial paralysis, coma, death. The
presence of all these symptoms does not confirm the diagnosis - only lab tests
can do that. Newcastle quite often appears as a respiratory condition before a
nervous condition appears.
Post mortem signs - Mucus in trachea, possibly yellow and
thickened air sacs; possible hemorrhages in proventriculus.
Treatment - None.
Prevention - Most countries have vaccines available. A
general rule of thumb used by many poultry experts is to vaccinate on a 4 - 4 -
4 schedule, meaning at four days of age, four weeks, and four months. But you
should use local recommendations.