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Pullorosis in hens: white bacillary diarrhea and treatment

Bacterial diseases in chickens:

Pullorosis o Diarrea blanca bacilar en pollito.

Pullorosis or bacillary white diarrhea in chicks

Pullorum disease is a bacterial disease that primarily affects young chicks and causes high mortality in the first few days of life.

🔎 Quick summary

Avian Disease · Rapid Identification in Hens

  • 🦠 Type: Bacterial
  • ⚠️ Severity: Very high in chicks
  • 🥚 Transmission: Through eggs and direct contact
  • 👨‍⚕️ Risk: Bass for humans (indirect)
🚨 Warning signs
  • Weak chicks huddled together
  • Dirty feces with white diarrhea
  • Feathers matted on the back
  • Loss of appetite
  • High mortality within a few days

Symptoms of pullorum disease in chickens

Pullorosis o Diarrea blanca bacilar en pollito.

Pullorosis or bacillary white diarrhea in chicks

Symptoms in chicks

  • Weakness and immobility
  • Chicks huddled together as if they were cold
  • Closed eyes and drowsiness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Thick white diarrhea
  • Sewer blocked by feces (“clogged”)
  • High mortality within a few days

Symptoms in adult chickens

  • Usually asymptomatic
  • Ovarian infection
  • Transmission through the egg
  • Decreased egg production

How is pullorum disease spread among chickens?

The primary mode of transmission is through the egg:

  • From the infected hen to the embryo
  • Chicks are born already infected
  • High mortality during incubation

It can also be transmitted through:

  • Contaminated feces
  • Contact between birds
  • Dirty incubators
  • Contaminated equipment

What is pullorum disease in chickens?

Pullorum disease is a bacterial disease caused by Salmonella pullorum, which primarily affects young chicks and causes high mortality in the first few days of life.

This is a highly contagious infection that can manifest as an acute form in chicks or as a chronic form in adult hens, which act as carriers without showing symptoms.

How the disease progresses

The bacteria multiply in the chick's body and can spread through the bloodstream, affecting internal organs such as the liver or the digestive system.

In young chicks, the immune system is not yet fully developed, so the disease progresses rapidly.

To better understand how this disease affects chickens, you can review the anatomy of the hen and its internal organs.

anatomia de la gallina con organos internos explicados esquema completo

An Explanation of the Anatomical Structure of a chicken

Serious injuries

  • Affected liver
  • Unabsorbed yolk
  • Widespread infection
  • Infected ovaries in adult females

Example of internal lesions caused by pullorum disease in hens:

Pullorosis gallinas, lesiones hígado, infección interna.

Internal lesions caused by pullorum disease in hens, with liver involvement and signs of systemic infection.

Treatment of pullorum disease

Treatment can help control the disease, but it does not completely eliminate the bacteria.

  • Use of antibiotics under veterinary supervision
  • Isolation of sick birds
  • Improved hygiene

In many cases, culling infected birds is the only effective solution.

Diarrea blanca bacilar en gallina

Diarrhea white bacilar in hen

Diarrea blanca bacilar en gallina

Diarrhea white bacilar in hen

Treatment can help manage the disease, but prevention and biosecurity remain the most effective measures

Prevention of Pullorum Disease

  • Do not incubate suspicious eggs
  • Disinfect incubators
  • Monitor carrier birds
  • Maintain strict hygiene

This is absolutely essential for this disease

Basic preventive measures

  • Keep the chicken coop clean and dry
  • Remove droppings and organic waste frequently
  • Clean and disinfect waterers and feeders
  • Use fresh water and food

Egg Inspection and Incubation

  • Collect the eggs daily.
  • Do not incubate dirty or damaged eggs.
  • Keep the incubator clean and disinfected.
  • Avoid the buildup of organic debris.

Pest Control and Biosecurity

  • Prevent rodents from entering.
  • Limit contact with wild birds.
  • Control the entry of animals from outside.
  • Keep breeding areas separate.
E. coli pullorum, el periodo de incubación de esta enfermedad de 4 a 6 días

E. coli pullorum; the incubation period for this disease is 4 to 6 days.

Salmonella are the main intestinal parasites of man and animals, both domestic and wild.

Often found in sewage, rivers and other waters and the ground. They can survive for weeks in water, and for years in the soil.

Imagen al microscopio electrónico de Salmonella typhimurium, infectando células humanas

Electron microscope image of Salmonella typhimurium infecting human cells.

Salmonella pullorum is a host-adapted pathogen of poultry that was previously thought to be non-motile and non-flagellated. 

Motility: It can be induced in this organism under specific conditions, and this motility was observed in 39 of 44 isolated strains of S. pullorum. 

🛡️ Key Prevention
  • Maintain strict hygiene in the chicken coop
  • Collect eggs frequently
  • Do not incubate dirty or damaged eggs
  • Control rodents and wild birds
  • Disinfect equipment and breeding areas

Effective prevention not only protects the chickens but also reduces the risk of salmonella transmission to humans.

Can pullorosis be transmitted to humans?

Pullorum disease (Salmonella pullorum) It mainly affects birds and is not considered a common zoonosis.

The risk to humans is low; however, as with any bacterial disease, it is important to maintain good hygiene practices when handling chickens, eggs, or facilities.

How to Prevent the Spread of Infection Among People

  • Cook eggs and poultry thoroughly.
  • Wash your hands after handling chickens or eggs.
  • Avoid eating raw eggs.
  • Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen.

Although pullorum disease primarily affects poultry, the risk to humans can be easily reduced through basic hygiene and food handling practices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pullorum Disease in Hens

 

What is pullorum disease in chickens?

Pullorum disease is a bacterial disease caused by Salmonella pullorum , which primarily affects young chicks and causes high mortality in the first few days of life.

Why do chicks have white diarrhea?

Thick, white diarrhea is one of the most characteristic symptoms of pullorum disease and often causes the cloaca to become blocked, making it difficult to pass feces.

How is pullorum disease spread among chickens?

It is transmitted primarily through the egg, from the infected hen to the chick. It can also spread through contact with contaminated feces, soiled materials, or improperly disinfected incubators.

Is there a treatment for pullorum disease?

Treatment can help control the disease, but it does not always completely eliminate the bacteria. In many cases, it is necessary to isolate or cull infected birds to prevent the spread of the disease.

 Does pullorum disease pose a risk to humans?

It is not considered a common zoonosis. The risk to humans is low, although it is always recommended to practice good hygiene when handling poultry, eggs, or facilities.

Sources and references

Bibliography

This content has been compiled from poultry veterinary manuals and scientific literature on pullorum disease in poultry, including:

  • Poultry Diseases (Iowa State University Press)
  • Studies on pullorum disease in poultry and food safety
  • Research on egg transmission in chickens
  • Publications in specialized veterinary journals

 

Related diseases in chickens

 

colibacilosis en gallinas

Colibacillosis in chickens

Gallo Menorca con coriza

Infectious coryza in chickens

Ombligo mal cicatrizado: Onfalitis

Omphalitis in chicks

 

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