Failure to promptly address illness in your flock can lead to significant mortality and jeopardize the success of your poultry farming business. This article provides a practical guide to recognizing common chicken diseases, understanding their symptoms, and implementing effective treatment strategies.
1️⃣ Chickens with Flu-Like Symptoms
If your chickens exhibit symptoms resembling the flu – producing a "cro cro cro" sound, or presenting with swollen heads – it indicates a respiratory issue.
Treatment:
Enrocip: A broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against many bacterial respiratory infections.
Coloxan: Another antibiotic commonly used for respiratory problems.
Doxin: Effective for Mycoplasma infections.
Interflox: A fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
Coliflox: Effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Supportive Care:
Heating: Maintain optimal temperatures using infra-red bulbs, gas brooders, or charcoal burners. Warming the birds helps combat the infection.
Ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow to prevent the build-up of ammonia and other harmful gases. Avoid drafts, which can exacerbate the condition.
2️⃣ Sick Chickens with Red or Blood in Droppings
This is a strong indicator of Coccidiosis, a parasitic disease affecting the intestines.
Symptoms:
Orange to red coloration in droppings (may be frothy and contain mucous).
Withdrawal from the flock.
Droopiness.
Reduced appetite and weight loss.
Treatment:
Sulfacox: A widely used sulphonamide drug for coccidiosis treatment.
Esb3: Another effective sulphonamide.
Amprolium: Interferes with the parasite’s thiamine uptake.
Coxoid: Contains amprolium and sulphadoxine.
Bremamed: A combination coccidiostat.
Natural Remedies:
Crushed aloe vera or chillies added to drinking water can provide some relief.
Prevention:
Regularly change bedding.
Keep the fowl run dry.
3️⃣ Sick Chickens with Watery, Greenish, or Whitish Droppings
Changes in dropping consistency and colour often signal digestive upset or infection.
Treatment:
Coloxan, Doxin, Interflox, Coliflox, Sulfacox, Hi-trusulf, Esb3, or Bremamed – These antibiotics cover a wide range of potential bacterial causes.
Aloe Vera in drinking water: Soothes the digestive tract.
Supportive Care:
Ginger: Boosts appetite, aids digestion, and enhances the immune system. Add a small pinch of ginger powder to the feed or offer it whole/ground.
4️⃣ Sick Chickens with Sores, Blisters, or Closed Eyes
These symptoms point to Fowl Pox, a viral disease typically spread by mosquito bites.
Treatment:
Aliseryl, Nemovit, Sulfacox, or Esb3 – These medications help manage the symptoms.
Prevention & Control:
Mosquito Control: Cover birds with mosquito nets, spray the fowl run with cislin, cut grass short, and eliminate stagnant water sources.
Hygiene: Maintain a clean fowl run inside and out.
Aloe Vera: Apply aloe vera juice to affected areas.
5️⃣ General Sickness, Inactive Birds, Drooping Wings
For birds exhibiting generalized sickness symptoms, consider a broader treatment approach.
Treatment:
Aliseryl, Nemovit, Terranox, Tylocip, or Virukill – these offer different modes of action and can be effective against various infections.
Aloe Vera in drinking water for immune support.
6️⃣ Worms in Bird Droppings or Intestines
Internal parasites can significantly impact bird health and productivity.
Treatment:
Piperin, Piperazine, Tetramisole, or Hygromix – These are common anthelmintics (dewormers).
Natural Remedies:
Crushed chillies or aloe vera in drinking water.
Prevention:
Deworm chickens at appropriate intervals (6 weeks for broilers, 19 weeks for layers), repeating every 8 weeks.
Maintain clean bedding and ensure adequate ventilation.
7️⃣ Small Sized Birds with Retarded Growth
Treatment:
Aminogrow, Introchick, Broiler Vitaboost, or Ashboost – Growth supplements to boost appetite and immune function.
Aloe Vera and Ginger - Supportive natural remedies.
8️⃣ Drop in Egg Laying
Treatment:
Breeder vitaboost, Nemovit, Introchick, or Aminogrow – Egg production boosters.
Aloe Vera in drinking water.
Increase light: Extend the light exposure to 14-16 hours daily to stimulate egg production.
9️⃣ Sick Chickens Due to Heat Stress
Treatment:
Betasol, electrolytes, or aspirin.
Provide cool, vitamin C-enriched water.
Administer a stress pack in drinking water.
Prevention:
Avoid overcrowding.
Protect birds from direct sunlight.
Aloe Vera in drinking water.
10️⃣ Huge Liver, Water in Belly of Dead Birds (Ascites)
Ascites is a serious condition often related to poor ventilation and feed management during brooding.
Treatment:
Bedgen or Introchick – can provide limited support.
Prevention:
Ensure proper ventilation and temperature control.
Optimize feed management.
11️⃣ Poisoned Birds
Treatment:
Crushed charcoal in drinking water – Acts as an absorbent to neutralize toxins.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information. Always consult a veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment plans tailored to your specific flock.
Poultry Market Kenya is a dedicated poultry farming and agribusiness blog focused on empowering farmers, traders, and agri-entrepreneurs across Kenya. We publish practical, data-driven content covering poultry production, disease management, feeding strategies, housing, equipment reviews, and market insights.
Our goal is to bridge the gap between traditional poultry farming practices and modern, profitable methods by providing reliable information, expert guidance, and real-world case studies.
