Contagious Chicken Diseases

Because chickens are flock birds and raised for meat and egg production, contagious diseases are a real concern for farmers. Contagious diseases can spread through a flock and kill the birds or render them unsuitable for food production.

  1. Infectious Bronchitis

    • Infectious bronchitis is a respiratory diseases specific to chickens only. According to the American Poultry Association, this disease is considered the most contagious poultry disease. It is preventable through a vaccine.

    Laryngotracheitis

    • Laryngotracheitis is a viral respiratory disease that mostly occur in mature hens. Chickens that recover from laryngotracheitis become carriers of the disease.

    Newcastle Disease

    • Newcastle disease is a rapidly spreading viral respiratory disease that is highly fatal in young chicks. Mammals and humans are also susceptible to Newcastle Disease.

    Mycoplasma Gallisepticum

    • Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a viral respiratory disease that mostly afflicts young birds rather than mature ones. Chickens that recover from M. Gallisepticum become carriers of the disease.

    Fowl Typhoid

    • Fowl typhoid is a bacterial disease that is not the same as typhoid fever in humans. The disease primarily occurs in young adult chickens 12 weeks of age or older.

    Fowl Pox

    • Fowl pox is one of the earliest recognized viral diseases in poultry. It was identified as a virus in 1902.