Bacteria, which are:
Single-celled organisms whose hereditary material is not enclosed in a nucleus, and that can take many forms.
Each bacterium not only has a characteristic shape that allows it to be distinguished in a suitable environment, but this shape also reflects the characteristics of a specific habitat. Some bacteria take on different shapes in various environments, while others always retain the same shape.
The bacterial capsule can take on forms of varying resistance depending on the conditions of the environment in which the bacteria grow; thus, bacteria in a culture medium typically lack a capsule, whereas in the external environment they develop more resistant forms to survive adverse conditions.
As for reproduction, under favorable conditions, the reproductive process occurs very rapidly; when a bacterium reaches its optimal size, it divides into two, giving rise to two daughter cells, which in turn do the same, multiplying at a truly geometric rate if environmental conditions permit.
The depletion of nutrients eventually slows down reproduction, and at the end of a stabilization phase, bacterial lysis occurs, leading to a decline in the population.
Some bacteria are able to form the so-called spores at the end of your period of multiplication.
These spores are extremely resistant to external influences, such as heat, desiccation, and disinfectants.
From the spores, provided that the environmental conditions are appropriate, it is possible of the appearance of vegetative forms with power pathogen depending on the species.
Viruses, which are:
Loved structurally very simple, parasitism obligate intracellular, and that can only reproduce inside living cells.
They contain genetic information in the form of DNA or RNA, either single-stranded or double-stranded, but never both nucleic acids together. Their genetic material is protected by a protein shell, or capsid.
Viral replication depends on the specific virus, although it generally involves the duplication of macromolecular structures that become self-sustaining and reassemble at the expense of the host cell's cellular material.
The classification is done according to its endowment in nucleic acids:
- RNA viruses: Picornavirus, Reovirus, Arbovirus, Micovirus, Paramyxovirus, Rhabdovirus, leukosis Virus avian.
- Virus DNA: Adenovirus, papovavirus, virus del herpes, poxvirus.
Fungi, which are:
Fungi are plants talófitas They lack chlorophyll and are generally multicellular, which distinguishes them from bacteria.
They are formed by a series of mycelia, some submerged in the structure that serves a means of cultivation and other air.
The air carry the reproductive apparatus of the fungus, the spores, which are arranged so variable from one to the other, a peculiarity that is used for their identification and classification.
There are two types of mycoses:
- Exogenous: The fungus comes from outside, almost always of the soil and the plant.
- Endogenous: The fungus is commonly found on the surfaces or in cavities of the body, and only in an exceptional way, develops its pathogenic action.
Fungi have a tendency essential to produce infestations local, particularly in the form of dermatomycosis.
They are also able to multiply inside the body, thus giving rise to mycosis organic, systemic, or an invasion of generalized via blood that tends to have a mortal end.
Parasites, which are:
They are the most feared pests In poultry farming, the pathogenic effect occurs either due to the presence of the parasite itself or indirectly through the body’s own immune responses. There are various types:
- Protozoa (organisms unicellular animals).
- Metazoan (animal organisms and multicellular)
- Acanthocephalans.
- Pentastómidos.
- Arthropods.
According to this, there is a distribution between direct and indirect effects and actions to be pathogenic due to any of the following causes:
- Predation materials of the host, which they use to their own benefit.
- Products own metabolism, which are toxic in the host.
- Location developing organic, as well as bile ducts, bronchi, etc
- Piercing of the skin or mucous membranes to suck blood or fixed.
- Transmission of certain microorganisms through bites.
When dealing with viral or bacterial infections, it is very important to have laboratory tests, as this allows for a deeper understanding of the lesions.
The analysis made in the labs are very varied:
- Exam hematologic: To annotate the changes in the number, size, and appearance of the cells and in the properties of the blood.
- Tests parasitological: To detect the presence of any parasite.
- Bacteriological studies: To detect and identify any bacteria.
- Histological analyses: Microscopic study of the lesions.
- Serological studies: To determine the level of antibodies against a particular organism, producer of the disease.
- Virology: For the identification of the virus.
- Biochemical examinations: To measure the level of various substances in blood or serum.
Therefore, poultry farmers who detect abnormalities in any individual on their farm must send samples to the laboratory.
These samples can be of several types:
- Blood, serum or plasma.
- Other body fluids (from the abdominal cavity, synovial).
- Stool.
- Scrapings of skin or mucous membranes.
- Tissues.
- Live animals or dead bodies.
Other types of diseases:
There are a few types of diseases that can be avoided in the poultry units, so extensive as ours, with the simple fact of using a traditional diet, as has been done since ancient times.
Starting with a healthy bird, a balanced diet rich in macro- and micronutrients, without any unnecessary additives, ensures normal metabolic activity in the bird.
However, the feed may not meet the required standards, which can lead to the occurrence of problems that can be categorized as follows:
Diseases due to excess:
- May occur when it exceeds the level of requirement of the animals.
- If the excess is of macronutrients, gives rise to metabolic alterations typical.
- If the excess corresponds to micronutrients, may arise situations of toxicity.
Diseases by default, deficiencies or shortcomings:
These types of diseases should not be attributed to a lack of feed for the birds, but rather to a lack of certain nutrients at various levels of the feed formulation. Generally, problems do not arise because, when feeding is based on commercial feeds, safety margins are typically built into the formulation.
The situations of deficiency to be considered in two main groups:
- Lack of macronutrients: Proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, and fats.
- Micronutrient deficiency: Vitamins and minerals
Diseases imbalance:
Whenever there is an excess or deficiency of a nutrient, an imbalance occurs that can alter normal physiology.
This alteration, provided they do not exceed certain limits, thresholds, can be resolved by the compensatory capacity of the bird to recover his perfect health.
Diseases, by toxicity:
A product is considered toxic when it is present at levels high enough to disrupt certain metabolic processes in poultry, causing adverse biological effects, a decline in production efficiency, or the presence of residues that are undesirable for the end consumer.
Well, with this information, I think we can get a pretty good idea of the possible illnesses our birds might have, but that’s what our veterinarians are for—they’re the professionals who will tell us what illness our birds have, how to treat it, and how to care for them so they don’t relapse.
Take a look at the following images to learn about the main types of diseases that affect chickens.
Each section covers symptoms, causes, prevention, and specific articles to help you identify health issues and take timely action in the chicken coop.
