1. Observe the mental state of the chickens
Modern chicken farm,healthy flocks are active, in good spirits, responsive, and have a strong appetite. Unhealthy flocks are lethargic, slow to move, eyes closed, unresponsive, stagnant, drooping wings, and poor appetite.
2. Observe the feed intake and drinking water of the chickens
Under normal circumstances, when the breeder enters the chicken farm to feed, the chickens immediately follow, and after the feeding is finished, the chickens rush to eat. The sick chickens move slowly, and even when other chickens are vying for food, the sick and weak chickens walk slowly or stand still;
If the large flock shows loss of appetite and feed intake, there is still a lot of feed left in the next feeding. It is necessary to find out the reason in time, check whether the feed is moldy or deteriorate, or check whether it is sick. If the spirit of the flock is basically normal, first To rule out diseases, focus on the problem of feed. If the spirit of the flock is extremely bad and the feces are abnormal, focus on diseases.
If you drink more water, but no symptoms such as mouth breathing are found, it may be coccidiosis or infectious bursalitis.
3. Observe the sensitivity of chickens to cold and heat
Observing the flock’s sensitivity to heat and cold is to judge whether the temperature of the flock is appropriate. When the chickens are far away from the heat source, open their mouths to breathe, spread their wings, drink more water, and reduce feed intake, this may be because the temperature is too high, so the temperature should be lowered; when the chickens are close to the heat source, crowded with each other, some chickens emit Weak “squeak” sound, this performance may be the temperature is too low, therefore, to increase the temperature.
4. Observe the neurological symptoms of the chickens
If the chicken head is found to be in a star-gazing posture, or the head and neck are straight forward, etc., it may be vitamin deficiency; if the chicken head is shaking, vitamin E, selenium deficiency, and infectious encephalomyelitis should be suspected. Pathological anatomy, etc. for further diagnosis;
If the neck turns around or retreats, especially when it is aggravated by stress, it may be Newcastle disease. This diseased chicken should be eliminated and has no therapeutic value.
5. Observe the droppings of the chickens
Under normal circumstances, the stool has a certain shape, the stool is gray-brown, and there is a white substance attached to the surface of the stool. If there is blood in the stool, it may be coccidiosis, which should be further confirmed by pathological examination;
Infectious bursal disease should be suspected if the feces are thin and watery, like egg white, and the flock is drinking more water;
If pull white loose stools, pullorrhea is more common;
If the green feces are pulled, but the feces are formed, it should be suspected that the feed is moldy and deteriorated;
If you pull green loose stools, it is suspected to be cholera, typhoid fever, Newcastle disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, etc.
6. Observe the flock’s crest feathers, toes and mucous membranes
The normal cockscomb should be full and bright red. The feathers are neat and straightened. The toes are flexible, bright, and neatly scaled. If the crown is cyanotic, it may be a disease or poor ventilation in the house, and the concentration of ammonia gas is too high; if the feathers are short, messy, and dull, it may be due to lack of vitamins and trace elements, or poor ventilation (the house span is too large and there is no ventilation. equipment);
If the toes are bent inward, it may be due to vitamin deficiency. If the chicken can stand forcibly with both legs when standing, but the legs are shaking, it may be due to the imbalance of phosphorus and calcium ratio;
If you see lacerations on the surface of the toes or the soles of the feet and inflammation, it may be a vitamin deficiency;
If there are pox scabs on the beak corners and crown of the chicken, it may be chicken pox.
7. Observe the breathing symptoms of the group
Chickens stretch their heads, necks and mouths to breathe, and it is difficult to inhale, which may be Newcastle disease;
If there is difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, with sticky secretions, and cheese-like discharge in the later stage, mycoplasmosis is suspected;
If breathing is difficult, there is a “snoring” sound or a wet rales, E. coli infection is suspected.
