₦airaland Forum

CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)

CRD is a silent and slow killer disease that affects poultry birds which in most cases the farmer gets to know the seriousness of this disease when it is too late. CRD is caused by bacteria and affects birds of all ages although chickens between the ages of week 3-6 are the most affected. This disease is aggravated by stress and is transmitted by inhaling the bacteria in the air, or direct contact with infected chickens, contaminated water/feed or directly from hatchery. This bacteria can exist for 3 days in faeces and 5 days in contaminated equipment.

SYMPTOMS
Croaking (frog) sound
Difficult breathing
Sneezing
Eye/Nasal discharge
Swollen face
Closed eyes
Loss of appetite
Slow growth rate
Decreased egg production
In some cases in chicken and turkey, they may not be able to stand with their joint swollen.

NB: If you suspect your chicken died of CRD, you can open up the carcass and check the wind pipe (throat), if it is reddish (see picture) and the lungs too are reddish(see picture), you may be dealing with CRD. In some cases, there may be presence of a yellowish fatty and whitish substance when you open the chicken (see picture) as seen in E-COLI Infection, this may also point to CRD.

TREATMENT
Isolate suspected birds and treat all birds with Tylosin based antibiotics like Tylodox® GentTylo® etc. Usually at 1gram per 4 liters for 5/7 days or according to the manufacturer's instruction. Enrofloxacin has also been proven to be effective in treating CRD

Administer broad spectrum antibiotics like Amoxicol® Colimoxil® Doxygen® etc. This is important because it has been shown that CRD and E-COLI infection go side by side hence E-COLI will need to be treated also. However a strong branded Tylosin based antibiotics like Tylodox Plus® may suffice for both CRD and E-COLI.

Administer multivitamins and Vitamin C. This will boost the immune system and improve recovery

Menthol ointment like Mintocare®, Methoxine® etc can also be added to their water. This is to clear their throat and reduce the froggy sound

Traditionally, soaked ginger, garlic and scent leaf, bitter kola have been reported to be effective

PREVENTION
Ensure where you are buying your birds are CRD free

The pens should be well ventilated and regularly disinfected alongside poultry equipment

Avoid stressful conditions like extreme cold or heat and avoid overcrowding of the pen

Ensure regular changing of the litter to avoid ammonia buildup

Ensure strict biosecurity on your farm

(Some pictures are for illustration)

Can I have your number sir?

Petalss:
Can I have your number sir?

You can send me a DM, I'll be on standby to respond

seunH:
You can send me a DM, I'll be on standby to respond

I don't know what you meant by DM here on NL. Or do you mean we should talk here?

Petalss:
I don't know what you meant by DM here on NL. Or do you mean we should talk here?

Either is okay by me, DM I meant was on NL so that I'll be able to send my number to you because I don't know if it's allowed to share phone numbers publicly on NL

seunH:
Either is okay by me, DM I meant was on NL so that I'll be able to send my number to you because I don't know if it's allowed to share phone numbers publicly on NL

Mail duly received and acknowledged will revert soon