Newcastle Disease
From Omlet Club Wiki
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[edit] Introduction
Newcastle disease is a very contagious viral infection causing a respiratory nervous disorder in chickens and turkeys. Different types or strains of the virus have been recognized.All birds in a flock usually become infected within three to four days. The virus can be transmitted by contaminated equipment, shoes, clothing and wild birds. It can be transmitted through the air. The virus is not thought to travel any great distance by air. The virus usually does not live longer than thirty days.
[edit] Symptoms
The signs of the disease are nasal discharge, excessive mucous in the trachea, cloudy air sacs, casts or plugs in the air passages of the lungs and cloudiness in the cornea of the eye.
The disease in young chickens begins with difficult breathing, gasping and sneezing. This continues for ten to fourteen days and may be followed by nervous symptoms. Signs of paralysis of one or both wings and legs or a twisting of the head and neck. The head often is drawn over the back or down between the legs. Death can be none or the whole flock.
[edit] Treatment
Chickens are usually vaccinated when they are seven to ten days old. Chickens kept for egg production are usually vaccinated at least three times. The vaccine is given when birds are around seven days, again at about four weeks and a third time at about four months of age.
