Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention of Newcastle Disease in Poultry

One of the highly contagious, viral, and fatal diseases that is more common in birds, poultry, particularly in chickens is Newcastle disease (ND). It is dangerous because this disease can affect poultry in huge lots and can cause death in huge numbers very fast. As a part of awareness program by Refit Animal Care, we hereby provide you with some important details about causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of Newcastle diseases in chickens.   

Understanding About Newcastle Disease in Poultry

1. APMV-1 is the virus responsible for Newcastle disease infection. 
2. Stages of Newcastle Disease are: 

• The stage during which one can observe few to no symptoms is known as Lentogenic.
• The stage during which one can observe some respiratory discomfort signs is known as Mesogenic.
• The most severe and highly contagious stage wherein it can cause death in poultry is known as Velogenic.

Signs of Newcastle Disease in Poultry

Newcastle Disease symptoms include:

• Coughing.
• Gasping to breathe or rather difficulty in breathing.
• Other Respiratory issues such as watery eyes and nasal discharge.
• Loss of appetite.
• Laziness and lethargy.
• Immobility due to weakness and weight loss.
• Chickens remain in stress.
• In advanced stages, tremors, incoordination is observed.
• Swollen facial features (comb, wattles) with a blueish discoloration.
• Diarrhea, often green and watery.
• Significant drop in egg production, with misshapen or soft-shelled eggs.
• Sudden death in seemingly healthy birds.

Newcastle Disease Treatment

• Prevention is better than cure, as no specific treatment is available.
• Only ensure to detect this disease in early stages through regular inspection.
• On detection, promptly contact your local veterinarian for further action.
• Avian Newcastle disease can be detected through various laboratory tests.
• Newcastle disease vaccine is one more way to prevent the spread of this disease.

Newcastle Disease Prevention

• Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent Newcastle disease in poultry.
• Execute stringent safety measures such as quarantine of the affected poultry.
• Isolate new chickens for a set period of time before mixing them along with the main flock.
• Keep and maintain your coop in clean and hygienic condition. 
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of the coop is utmost important.
• Do not allow visitors to enter the coop. 
• Limit rodent access to the coop by appropriate usage of rodent control through regular disinfectant spray. 

Importance of Poultry Feed Supplements

• Poultry feed supplements are known to enhance immune system.
• They contain supplements which help enhance health, minerals, proteins, vitamins, and amino acids.
• Remember, A healthy poultry will have less chances of getting infected because of their robust immune system.
• A robust immune system which can fight various infecitons including Newcastle disease infection can be attained through balanced diet.
• Add branded, quality, well-researched, and effective poultry feed supplements along with regular feed and feed to your poultry.

Pls note: poultry feed supplements are not the option to vaccination.

Newcastle disease is a serious threat to poultry health, productivity, and profitability. On time recognition and treatment is the only solution to avoid getting your flocks infected with this dangerous virus.  If you need specific information about poultry health and product details visit our website of Refit Animal Care, and various poultry feed supplements for further information.  You can also procure our quality, branded, well-researched feed supplements for poultry from Amazon and Flipkart.