The Poultry Keeper

Bhindi · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:43 pm Post subject: Symptoms of Avian Flu

From the co. that makes Virkon S ( I think):Symptoms of avian flu
http://www.antecint.co.uk/main/aviemergency.htm

What to look out for

Ruffled feathers
Soft-shelled eggs
Depression and droopiness
Sudden drop in egg production
Loss of appetite
Cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb
Edema and swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
Green diarrhea
Blood-tinged discharge from nostrils
Incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand
Pin-point hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks)
Respiratory distress
Increased death losses in a flock
Sudden death
Nasal discharges

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I think this has to be read very carefully. At some time or another I believe we will all have a chicken who displays maybe 1 or 2 of these symptoms, or maybe more ~ but it doesn't mean they have avian flu.
Please be careful of your flocks, but don't jump to the conclusion that spells a death sentence for them

kittoch · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 170 Location: glasgow

i agree summayah.....i have a pekin, who was wheezing last week, she is in a hospital cage, and on tylan, and improving well................but, probably initially displayed quite a few of these symptoms, eg ruffled feathers, breathing distress, depression and droopiness, loss of appetite, (though its back with a vengance now!! Laughing

), but, obviously its just a respiratory infection she has picked up, and will recover from............all the rest are fine, but, i dread to think what a layperson/novice would think if they seen/heard her!!! Shocked

i remember in the 80s when AIDS first hit the headlines, the sun (that organ of truth!!! Shocked

), printed a "do you have aids??".......it was shocking, was things like, have you lost weight??, got a heavy cold??, swollen glands??....you may have AIDS Mad

...........lot of people were shit scared then, and this generalising will probably scare some folk now into thinking their chooks have bird flu..............esp when it comes to uk,.....when in actual fact, colds, respiratory problems etc, etc, will trundle on regardless of h5n1!!

morgan · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 17

Am I being naive or just thick but how could suspecting a bird of having AI be sending the flock to its death. Surely the birds will be tested. Strangely enough I don't believe that Defra actually wants any positive cases so I really find it difficult to believe that flocks would be slaughtered unless really necessary.
The government has spent years denying the fact that AI will ever get here so any case will be an embarrassment to them.

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Because Defra will probably cull first and ask questions later Shocked

morgan · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 17

And admit they have been wrong from the start? I hope we can agree to differ on this one. I think Defra/government would be more likely to not want any infected flocks. Too much to explain and too many panic stricken people demanding antivirals that are not available.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

The trouble with them (the government and defra) possibly putting their heads in the sand and not admitting to the possibility of it getting here, is that when it actually hits these shores, they will panic ~ and what do we understand that to mean? I would read 'cull' to be the answer to that. I'm sorry but the men from the ministry are not renowned for the caring sharing relationship with others

ramshackle · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 16

Having read numerous gruesome books and webpages on the matter, the telltale sign for this particular type of avian influenza appear to be death within 24-48 h of first displaying any symptoms. Infectivity of the rest of the flock is supposed to be >50 %. The most alarming symptoms are supposed to be the cyanosis of the comb and wattle, obvious signs of hemorrhaging on the legs and respiratory distress, all other symptoms can be common with other (less harmful) diseases or milder forms of AI as well as H5N1.

My best guess therefore is, by the time you notice anything wrong, your flock will be condemned if it turns out to have been H4n1. Best to be prepared to move them indoors for their, as well as your health, immediately if there is such a decision on behalf of the government!