Mia Patel
A chicken's balance and ability to walk can be affected by a number of issues, including diseases, infections, malnutrition, dehydration, injury, and even something as simple as a tipping water bucket. There are several diseases that can cause balance issues and an inability to walk in chickens, including Encephalomalacia, Lymphoid Leukosis, Marek's Disease, Mycotoxicosis, Newcastle disease, Nutritional Myopathy, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. These diseases can cause a range of symptoms, including leg paralysis, blindness, tremors, and convulsions. Chicken keepers play an important role in treating minor problems before they become more serious, and some diseases can be prevented through diet, environmental control, and vaccinations.
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What You'll Learn
- Encephalomalacia, a vitamin E deficiency, causes softening of the brain tissues
- Mycotoxicosis, a fungal disease from eating mouldy feed, can cause staggering
- Staphylococcal infections, which can cause lameness and breast blisters
- Marek's disease, which can cause weakness or paralysis of one or both legs
- Nutritional myopathy, a muscle disease caused by inadequate nutrition
Encephalomalacia, a vitamin E deficiency, causes softening of the brain tissues
A chicken's balance problem is a symptom of some other underlying problem. Diseases and infections can lead to fever, loss of appetite, general weakness, and an inability to function normally. A chicken's balance can be affected by inner ear problems, fever, malnutrition, dehydration, and injury.
Encephalomalacia is a serious disorder that causes permanent tissue damage to a chicken's brain due to localized softening of the cerebral matter. This softening is a result of vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for chickens of all ages, and its deficiency causes several disorders. Encephalomalacia occurs most frequently in chickens fed a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids of the linoleic acid series (found in many cooking oils) and low in vitamin E.
Neurological symptoms of encephalomalacia include loss of balance, circling, head shaking or tremors, convulsions, and paralysis. In one case, 28-day-old broiler chickens exhibited neurological symptoms such as recumbency, ataxia, paralysis, and torticollis. Histopathology revealed severe malacia with intralesional thrombi, and analysis of brain and feed revealed deficient vitamin E levels.
Another case involved an outbreak of neurological disease in 2.5 to 3.5-week-old male turkey poults diagnosed as nutritional encephalomalacia. Clinical signs included weakness, staggering, trembling, and opisthotonus, with major histopathological alterations including congestion, hemorrhages, necrosis, and malacia in the cerebellum.
Vitamin E deficiency in chickens can be prevented by ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and, if necessary, vitamin supplements.
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Mycotoxicosis, a fungal disease from eating mouldy feed, can cause staggering
Mycotoxicosis is a fungal disease that can affect chickens that have consumed mouldy feed. It is caused by mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain types of moulds (fungi). These moulds can grow on various foodstuffs, including cereals, dried fruits, nuts, and spices, under warm, damp, and humid conditions.
The ingestion of mouldy feed by chickens can lead to mycotoxicosis, resulting in neurological symptoms such as paralysis, partial paralysis, and ataxia. Staggering is a common symptom of mycotoxicosis, and it can be a sign of the bird's inability to maintain balance and coordinate movements properly.
Mycotoxins can have adverse effects on both chickens and humans, ranging from acute poisoning to long-term issues like immune deficiency and, in some cases, cancer. In chickens, mycotoxicosis can cause a range of health problems, including neurological symptoms such as those mentioned above. Therefore, it is crucial to address mouldy feed issues and seek veterinary advice if chickens exhibit staggering or other balance-related issues.
The treatment options for mycotoxicosis are limited, primarily consisting of supportive therapy such as ensuring proper diet and hydration. Additionally, it is recommended to remove any mouldy feed, clean feeders and waterers, and provide fresh feed and water to prevent the spread of the fungal disease. Veterinary care is advised for accurate diagnosis and treatment, especially if the chicken exhibits other symptoms alongside staggering.
While mycotoxicosis is a concern, it is important to note that balance issues in chickens can also arise from other causes, such as vitamin deficiencies, injuries, or other diseases. As such, it is always recommended to consult a veterinarian for a comprehensive examination and appropriate treatment plan.
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Staphylococcal infections, which can cause lameness and breast blisters
Staphylococcal infections are common in poultry worldwide. The Staphylococcus genus is composed of over 36 species and 21 subspecies that are normal inhabitants of the skin, mucous membranes, and nares of healthy birds. However, some species can cause disease if they enter the body through wounds, inflammation, trimming of toenails or beaks, open navels of newly hatched chicks, minor surgical procedures, parenteral vaccinations, or concurrent chronic infections. Most infections are related to Staphylococcus aureus, which is considered the most pathogenic staphylococcal species.
Staphylococcal infections in chickens can manifest in several ways, including septicemia, staphylococcal arthritis, and bumblefoot. Septicemia causes weakness, hyperemic skin, low feed consumption, pain while moving, foul-smelling diarrhea, and decreased egg production. Staphylococcal arthritis leads to lameness, swollen and hot joints, limping, breast blisters, and a reluctance to walk. Bumblefoot is a localized Staphylococcus infection caused by puncture injuries, typically affecting mature birds, especially heavy breeds. It causes black spots on the sole of the foot and can spread to affect the entire foot and phalanges, resulting in caseous and necrotic tissues with hemorrhages.
To prevent staphylococcal infections, it is important to reduce potential sources of trauma in the poultry house, such as removing sharp objects and avoiding wet litter. Maintaining cleanliness and dryness in the coop and bedding is crucial, along with isolating chronically infected birds and providing a nutritious and balanced diet. Excess scraps, fats, and carbohydrates should be avoided to prevent obesity, which can increase the risk of infection.
If an infection occurs, treatment options include the use of antibiotics and specific medications like Vetericyn Plus Poultry Care. Additionally, proper hygiene and sanitation practices should be implemented, such as disinfecting the brooder house and all equipment, removing and destroying sick birds, and maintaining the cleanliness of brooders, feeders, and drinkers.
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Marek's disease, which can cause weakness or paralysis of one or both legs
Marek's disease is a common and severe ailment in chickens that is caused by a herpes virus. It is a contagious viral disease that affects the bird's nervous system, causing them to lose control of their body, resulting in paralysis, tics, and torticollis. The virus can be passed through dust and feathers floating in the air, and chickens will get infected when they breathe it in. It can also be passed through virus-laden dander. While the virus is easily killed in its purified form, it can live for years in the dander.
The symptoms of Marek's disease depend on which tissues are attacked. The classic form of the disease will cause inflammation and tumors in the nerves, spinal column, and brain. Birds will become paralyzed in the legs, wings, or may develop head tremors. Affected birds may also experience weight loss, become emaciated, and die. Marek's disease can also cause tumors in the internal organs, the eyes, and even the skin, leading to skin and feather problems.
The neurological form of Marek's disease is the most common and results in the bird losing control of its body, causing paralysis, weakness, a pale comb, decreased appetite, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and difficulties walking. This form of the disease has a high mortality rate, and chickens who survive may still have balancing problems.
There is currently no cure or treatment for Marek's disease in chickens. However, there are some preventative measures that can be taken, such as vaccinating day-old baby chicks. It is important for chicken keepers to be aware of the disease and its symptoms to keep their flock safe.
In addition to Marek's disease, there are other chicken diseases that can cause balance issues and an inability to walk, such as vitamin deficiencies, botulism, and fungal infections.
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Nutritional myopathy, a muscle disease caused by inadequate nutrition
Nutritional myopathy is a muscle disease caused by a vitamin E and selenium deficiency in chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, and ostriches. It is attributed to vitamin E/selenium deficiency, with selenium deficiency being the most common cause. Vitamin E deficiency, coupled with a sulfur amino acid deficiency, causes nutritional myopathy in chicks by around four weeks of age. Similar to nutritional myopathies in mammals, nutritional myopathy in poultry presents as pale foci or streaking of the musculature. Microscopic changes may include focal or widespread myofiber swelling, edema, hyalinization, mineralization, degeneration, and lysis, with macrophage and heterophil infiltration.
Nutritional myopathy is a chicken illness that can cause clumsiness and weakness due to muscle deterioration. It is important to note that nutritional myopathy is different from other muscle myopathies observed in chickens, such as deep pectoral myopathy or cranial dorsal myopathy, which are often observed in meat-processing facilities and are associated with rapid growth and intense wing flapping.
Chicken balance issues and an inability to walk can be indicative of underlying problems. Inner ear problems, fever, malnutrition, dehydration, and injuries are among the factors that can affect a chicken's balance. Malnutrition and dehydration can be addressed by providing adequate food and water, supplemented with vitamin and electrolyte mixes.
In some cases, chicken balance issues may be related to fungal infections, such as aspergillosis or ergotism, which can cause staggering. Moldy feed should be discarded, feeders and waterers should be cleaned, and affected birds should be quarantined and provided with veterinary care. Thiamine deficiency, commonly seen in young chickens fed Amprolium, can also cause balance issues and coordination problems.
Additionally, vitamin E and selenium deficiencies can lead to neurological problems, including staggering and head shaking. It is recommended to ensure that affected birds have access to sufficient food and consider offering vitamin supplements. Botulism, caused by consuming overripe or rotten fruits and vegetables, can also lead to balance issues in chickens.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several chicken diseases that can cause these symptoms, including Marek's disease, Encephalomalacia, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Newcastle Disease, and Staphylococcal infections.
Marek's disease is a viral illness that can cause balance issues, weakness or paralysis of the legs or wings, and blindness. Infected chickens may use their wings to help balance when walking.
Encephalomalacia is a vitamin E deficiency that leads to softening of the brain tissues. Symptoms include balance issues, tremors, and paralysis.
Staphylococcal infections can appear as septicemia (acute), arthritis (chronic), or bumblefoot. Birds with these infections may show signs of fever, pain during movement, and reluctance to walk, preferring to sit instead.
