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Before considering the different diseases affecting Game Birds, it is
important to recognise potential sources of disease. This is so that action
can be taken to minimise the threat to commercial flocks.
These sources of disease are noted in general order of importance but this
may vary between farms depending upon circumstances.
 | Sick birds already present
on the farm (including
birds or eggs bought in and carrying disease)
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| Wild birds present around the farm.
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| Parasites already
present on the farm.
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| Rats, mice, flies, cats and dogs.
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| Other farms locally with
significant numbers of birds.
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| Water, food and bedding
material.
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| Staff visiting other sites with game birds present.
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| Feed lorries.
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| Use of second hand
equipment.
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| ‘Advisors’ and
Veterinary Surgeons visiting the farm.
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| Other visitors.
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Game Bird Diseases
NOTE: Titles highlighted are links to a relevant article discussing the condition in
greater detail.
1) ASPERGILLOSIS
Caused by the inhalation
of fungal spores. The disease affects the respiratory tract and may occur in day-old
chicks due to hatchery contamination. It can also occur in older birds due to spores on
mouldy straw and hay. There is no treatment for this condition.
2) ATAXIA SYNDROME
Affects Pheasants. The
cause is unknown but may be viral in origin. Affected birds remain alert but are
inco-ordinate. Incidence is generally low but there is no treatment available.
3) AVIAN INFLUENZA
A viral disease causing
very high mortality (Fowl Plague) - a notifiable disease.
There is no treatment and no vaccine for this condition.
4) BUMBLEFOOT
Swelling of the foot pad
due to Staphylococcal bacterial infection. Treatment of individual birds often not
effective.
5) COCCIDIOSIS
There are at least three
types seen in pheasants and three in partridges affecting the intestinal tract. Controlled
by feeding coccidiostats to younger birds. Disease occurs as a result of decreased feed
intake, overwhelming infection or management failures.
6) COLIBACILLOSIS
E.coli causes secondary
bacterial infections particularly in younger birds. Results in poor growth rates and can
cause high mortality. May be treated with antibiotics.
7) CORONAVIRUS
Viral disease that can cause respiratory disease or kidney
damage. Kidney damage is particularly severe in breeding birds. Strains of virus in game
birds are often different to those in domestic poultry so poultry vaccines may be of
limited value. There is no treatment available for infected birds.
8) EGG PERITONITIS
Caused by egg yolks
entering the body cavity. Can result in high mortality in early lay. The exact cause of
this condition is not fully understood. It may also be due to specific infection such as
Salmonella or Pasteurella. In these cases treatment may be beneficial.
9) ERYSIPELAS
More commonly seen in
older birds over 12 weeks old. Can cause sudden high mortality or lameness due to
arthritis. Treat with antibiotics and prevent with vaccination. Can be caught by humans -
care!
10) FLEAS
Blood sucking insects. In
heavy infestations can affect bird performance.
11) FOWL POX
A viral infection spread
by biting flies. Can result in skin lesions or lesions within the mouth - the latter
condition is usually fatal. No treatment but vaccination is possible.
12) GAPES (see photo
'A')
Caused by the worm
Syngamus trachea. The lifecycle of the worm is via earthworms so land can remain
contaminated for years. Seen particularly in birds in release pens.
13) GUT WORMS
A number of species may
be present including Heterakis, Capillaria and Ascaridia.
Heterakis can carry the Histomonas parasite. Capillaria can cause severe disease with loss
of condition and egg production. Routine control of worms is advised.
14) HISTOMONIASIS (Blackhead) (see photo 'B')
Causes scour, loss of
condition and deaths. Can be carried in Heterakis worms. Prevented by worm control and as
for Hexamitiasis.
15) LEUCOSIS (see photo 'C')
A viral disease that
causes tumours in older birds. Relatively rare in game birds. No treatment is available.
16) LICE AND MITES
Biting and blood sucking
insects affecting the skin. Control can prove difficult.
17) MARBLE SPLEEN DISEASE
Causes sudden death. Due
to adenovirus infection. No treatment or vaccine at present available.
18) MYCOPLASMOSIS
A bacterial disease
causing a respiratory infection and reduced egg output. Spreads between birds and via the
egg. Clinical disease is often started by stress. Controlled and treated with antibiotics.
19) NEWCASTLE DISEASE
A viral disease that may
cause high mortality (fowl pest) and is a notifiable disease.
It can be prevented by vaccination. There is no treatment for affected birds.
20) PASTEURELLOSIS
Can cause high mortality
in birds of all ages. Rats act as a reservoir of infection. Can cause egg peritonitis in
laying birds. Treated with antibiotics. Prevented by use of vaccination.
21) PSEUDO-TUBERCULOSIS
Caused by Yersinia
pseudotuberculosis - a bacterial infection. Treated with antibiotics. No vaccine
available.
22) RICKETS
Soft bones in young
birds. May be nutritional in origin.
23) ROTAVIRUS
INFECTION
Viral infection that
damages the gut lining in chicks between three and fourteen days old. Causes the chicks to
scour and mortality is often about 10%. May be difficult to control.
24) SALMONELLOSIS
There are many types of
Salmonella bacteria and many do not cause disease except in young birds under stress. Can
cause disease in humans. Treated with antibiotics. Birds can be monitored for the presence
of disease.
25) STARVE-OUTS
Deaths in young chicks
that fail to find food. Can be due to poor chicks and poor management.
26) TRICHOMONIASIS
Trichomoniasis causes
fluid, frothy droppings, loss of condition and mortality particularly in rearing birds.
Prevention is by good management practices
28) TUBERCULOSIS (see photo 'D')
Affected birds lose
condition and eventually die. Usually a disease of birds two years old or more. No
treatment available.
29) VISCERAL GOUT
Seen particularly in
young chicks that fail to find water or in birds of any age that are moved and do not
acclimatise. No treatment for affected birds.
30) YOLK
SAC INFECTION
Causes mortality in
chicks up to seven days old. Due to a variety of bacteria that affect the chicks at
hatching.
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