Coryza in chickens, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, poses a significant threat to poultry farms across Nigeria. This upper respiratory disease spreads rapidly through contaminated water, feed, or air, making it a critical concern for farmers aiming to maintain healthy flocks. Understanding how to prevent, identify, and treat coryza in chickens is essential for ensuring productivity and minimising losses in poultry farming. This article provides practical insights into managing coryza, tailored for Nigerian farmers, with a focus on biosecurity, early detection, and effective treatment.

What is Coryza in Chickens?

Coryza in chickens is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. Caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, this disease is notorious for its rapid spread within flocks. The bacteria can be transmitted through direct contact, contaminated equipment, or even airborne droplets, making it a challenge in densely populated poultry farms. For Nigerian farmers, where small- and large-scale poultry operations are common, understanding coryza’s impact is vital to safeguarding livestock and ensuring sustainable egg and meat production.

Recognising the Signs of Coryza

Early detection of coryza in chickens is crucial for effective management. The disease presents several distinct symptoms that farmers should monitor closely:

• Swollen face or eyes: Affected birds may show swelling around the face or eyes, often accompanied by a watery appearance.
• Nasal discharge: A runny nose is a hallmark sign, with discharge that can become thick and sticky.
• Sneezing or coughing: Respiratory distress is evident through frequent sneezing or coughing.
• Foul odour: A bad smell emanating from the head area is a common indicator.
• Loss of appetite: Infected chickens often eat less, leading to weight loss.
• Drop in egg production: Hens may produce fewer eggs or stop laying altogether.

Recognising these signs early allows farmers to act swiftly, reducing the spread of coryza in chickens and minimising economic losses.

Preventing Coryza: Biosecurity First

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to coryza in chickens. Implementing strict biosecurity measures can significantly reduce the risk of an outbreak. Here are key steps Nigerian farmers can take:

• Isolate new birds: Always quarantine new chickens for 2–3 weeks before introducing them to the main flock. This helps identify any carriers of coryza.
• Maintain a clean coop: Keep the poultry house clean and dry to prevent bacterial growth. Regular cleaning of feeders, waterers, and bedding is essential.
• Avoid overcrowding: Overcrowded conditions increase stress and facilitate the spread of coryza in chickens. Ensure adequate space for each bird.
• Provide clean water and feed: Contaminated water or feed can serve.

Treating Coryza in Chickens

If coryza in chickens is detected, immediate action is necessary to control its spread. Treatment should always be guided by a veterinarian to ensure effectiveness and prevent antibiotic resistance. Common antibiotics used to treat coryza in chickens include:

• Sulfadimethoxine

• Tylosin

• Erythromycin

• Doxycycline

Since coryza spreads quickly, it’s critical to treat the entire flock if even one bird shows symptoms. Farmers should avoid using antibiotics without professional advice, as misuse can lead to resistant strains of the bacteria, making future treatments less effective.

Supportive Care for Affected Chickens

In addition to antibiotics, supportive care is vital for helping chickens recover from coryza. Here are some practical steps:

• Clean the affected areas: Gently clean the eyes and nostrils of infected birds to reduce discomfort and prevent further complications.

• Provide multivitamins and electrolytes: Adding these to the water can boost the birds’ immune systems and aid recovery.

• Isolate sick birds: Separate infected chickens from healthy ones to prevent the spread of coryza in chickens.

• Disinfect equipment: Thoroughly disinfect feeders, waterers, and tools to eliminate lingering bacteria.

These measures can help infected birds recover faster and reduce the risk of further contamination.

Practices to Avoid

To effectively manage coryza in chickens, there are certain practices farmers must avoid:

• Mixing new birds without quarantine: Introducing new birds without a 2–3 week isolation period can introduce coryza to a healthy flock.

• Ignoring early symptoms: Delaying action can allow coryza in chickens to spread rapidly, leading to greater losses.

• Using antibiotics without guidance: Unsupervised use of antibiotics can lead to resistance, making coryza harder to treat in the future.

By avoiding these mistakes, farmers can better protect their flocks from the devastating effects of coryza.

Post-Outbreak Management

While coryza in chickens does not survive long outside the bird, dirty housing can harbour the bacteria, leading to recurrent outbreaks. After an outbreak, farmers should:

• Deep-clean the coop: Thoroughly clean and disinfect the poultry house, including all surfaces, bedding, and equipment.

• Monitor recovering birds: Ensure that recovering chickens are fully healthy before reintroducing them to the flock.

• Strengthen biosecurity: Reassess and improve biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks of coryza in chickens.

By staying vigilant and proactive, farmers can minimise the impact of coryza in chickens and maintain a healthy, productive flock. For professional advice on vaccinations or treatments, consult a local veterinarian to ensure the best outcomes for your poultry farm.