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Diseases of the respiratory tract are often complex, with anatomy, management, environment and nutrition all playing a role. Get all these factors right and respiratory disease can be brought under control. Dr P K Nighot, G N Kolte and G R Ghalsasi
ny respiratory disease has direct negative impacts on the commercial parameters, e.g. weight gain, egg production or liveability and thus causes considerable economic losses. Two main factors contribute to the severity of these diseases in chickens: the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and the complex nature of respiratory diseases.
Figure 2. Trachea from a complex field case. Note the squamous metaplastic epithelium and debris in the lumen indicating the presence of bacterial colonies. (H&E 10X)
Figure 3. Acute aspergillosis. Note the presence of septed fungal hyphae within the lumen of necrotic bronchi. (H&E 40X)
to maintain oxygen pressure, even during limited ventilation. The presence of air sacs connected to parabronchi and occupying most of the inner body cavities is another crucial factor. A pathogen entering the nasal cavity can travel through both thorax and abdomen to close proximity with to the head of the femur bone.
respiratory tract. The birds immune system responds through acute inflammation but if this is inadequate, it allows pathogens to enter the blood and circulate throughout the body. If this local inflammation causes only mild damage, the respiratory tract recovers in 7-10 days. In this respect, the trachea and bronchi have good repairing capacity followed by parabronchi, while lungs have poor healing capacity.
Environmental factors
The importance of environment cannot be overemphasised. The quality of the shed environment deteriorates every day of the birds life. During brooding, the temperature of the house should be maintained to avoid chilling or overheating. Rather than relying on thermometers, the behaviour of the chicks should be observed. There should be an exchange of air, even when houses are closed to conserve energy during cold weather. In closed houses, birds are exposed to various gases like hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide etc, while ammonia gas causes physical damage to the respiratory tract, which then becomes susceptible to infectious agents. Ammonia and dust particles in air have synergistic negative effect. Ammonia as low as 20ppm is sufficient to impair the respiratory tract after prolonged exposure. Formaldehyde gas also causes malfunctioning of the normal respiratory defence mechanism by altering the pH of the respiratory tract towards acidity. Chicks hatched from eggs exposed to
Managemental factors
Good brooding management with optimum temperature and ventilation will help to maintain the integrity of the respiratory system. An adequate rest period between flocks has been found to reduce respiratory diseases. Nipple drinkers appear to lead to a lower incidence of respiratory problems than open watering systems.
Practical tips to minimise respiratory disease provide adequate ventilation and oxygen supply
in hatcheries and setters, along with strict sanitary conditions maintain ideal environment throughout the growing period with respect to air quality, temperature and ventilation reduce the environmental temperature slowly and in phases towards the end of the brooding period observe effective biosecurity barriers supply well balance toxin-free feed limit the nutrient density in feed and the growth rate of birds during the starter period practice thorough cleaning and disinfection in poultry sheds and allow sufficient down period between successive flocks restrict the multiple age groups on single premises follow correct vaccination programme for important diseases and monitor for immune response