Disease sheet · NEXTEKCI School
Infectious coryza
contagious coryza
A bacterial respiratory disease recognised by a swollen face and a foul-smelling runny nose. It spreads quickly through a flock and mainly affects growing birds and layers. It kills few birds but causes a drop in feed intake and laying.
Type
bacterium
Severity
moderate
Who is affected
Pullets, layers, coloured chickens kept for a long time.
Most affected age
Mainly growing and adult birds.
Signs to look for
- •Swollen face, on one or both sides, around the eyes.
- •Nasal discharge, clear at first then thick, with an unpleasant smell.
- •Watery eyes, eyelids stuck together.
- •Swollen wattles.
- •Lower feed intake; in layers, a drop in laying.
How it spreads
- •Sick birds, or recovered birds still carrying the bacterium, introduced into the flock.
- •Drinking water soiled by nasal discharge.
- •Mixed ages and backyard poultry on the farm.
Not to be confused with
- •Mycoplasmosis
- •Fowl cholera (chronic form)
- •Infectious bronchitis
- •Fowl pox (wet form)
Prevention
- •Single-age flock: never introduce adult birds from elsewhere into an existing flock.
- •No backyard poultry on the farm.
- •Drinkers cleaned daily, clean water.
- •Cleaning, disinfection and downtime between flocks.
- •Vaccination following the protocol of the vet in your area, if they consider it useful.
What to do if you suspect it
- •Call the vet in your area: any treatment is given only on their prescription.
- •Isolate affected birds.
- •Clean drinkers more often during the episode.
- •Respect the withdrawal period for birds and eggs if a treatment is prescribed.
This sheet helps you recognise the disease and react quickly. It does not replace the veterinarian: only they can diagnose and prescribe a treatment. Worried about your flock? Write to us on WhatsApp at +225 05 44 83 27 79.