Viral diseases cause heavy losses on poultry farms, and infected birds die, so farmers have many questions about them. Here are the causes of drowsiness, or drooping heads, in chicks and what to do about it.

Gumboro disease strikes chickens at 10 to 15 days of age. It usually appears in its acute form in chicks aged three to six weeks, though chicks of up to three weeks can also get it. Besides chickens, ducks, turkeys and guinea fowl are affected. The virus enters the environment through the droppings of infected chicks and then spreads from bird to bird through contaminated feed, water and litter (the birds' bedding).

Gumboro is a contagious viral disease caused by a birna virus. It was first recorded at a place called Gumboro in the US state of Delaware. Because it attacks the chick's lymph gland, the bursa, it is also called infectious bursal disease. It damages the chick's immune system, which is why Gumboro is described as "avian AIDS". Mortality ranges from 20 to 90 per cent.

There is usually no treatment for viral diseases. Antibiotics (oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin) are used to prevent secondary bacterial infection, and good results come from adding vitamins (vitamin C) and electrolytes. If the disease appears, consult a local veterinarian.

Gumboro must be prevented by vaccination. Before vaccinating any chicks, find out the level of antibodies they received from the mother hen. Vaccinate only healthy chicks and do not vaccinate sick ones. Take care that the chicks are not stressed during vaccination.

Broiler chicks are usually given a live vaccine at 14 days old, by dropper or in drinking water. A broiler booster dose can be given between 21 and 28 days. Layers are usually given a killed vaccine at one day old, followed by live vaccine at 14 days and between 21 and 28 days (booster dose). Broilers do not need the killed vaccine because they do not need long-lasting immunity; they are marketed before then.

If chicks aged 10 to 15 days are drooping their heads, they should be given an antibiotic of the amoxicillin, moxacillin or colistin group. Mix one Fusid tablet in 2 litres of water and give it for one day, and give saline. Ensuring the right humidity, temperature and hygiene through the hatchery incubator can prevent the disease and stop it spreading.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.