Disease A-Z for Game Birds
NADIS has developed a comprehensive gamebird health resource for gamekeepers, vets and RAMAs. Click on the health issues affecting your gamebirds and find out more.
When you have finished, why not try the clinical quiz at the end of the bulletin and receive a Gamebird Health Certificate from NADIS.
Plan for Health and ask your vet for a veterinary health plan. Disease prevention is most effective as part of an active veterinary health plan.
A
Aspergillosis in Game Birds
Aspergillosis is a range of infections in birds (often chicks) due to an inhalation of fungal spores. Contaminated air, mouldy bedding or feed are usually to blame.
Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza (known as 'bird flu') is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system.
B
Biosecurity and Husbandry Best Practice
Do not let biosecurity be compromised at any stage on your rearing site or in your release pens.
Blackhead disease
Histomoniasis (Blackhead disease) is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis.
Brooding Game Birds
The brooding phase starts as soon as the chicks arrive on site and continues until the poults are weaned off the heat.
Bulgy Eye
In severe cases, the sinuses under the eye swell up - hence the name 'bulgy eye'.
C
Coronavirus
Most commonly, the first clinical sign is sudden mortality in birds that are in all other respects perfectly healthy
D
Diseases of Game Birds
G
Game Bird Quarterly Update
This quarterly update highlights conditions to watch out for in Game Birds
H
Hatchery management
The purpose of a hatchery is the incubation and hatching of eggs to produce good quality chicks.
Hexamita
Spironucleosis (Hexamita) is a small leaf shaped protozoan-single celled organism- found in the small intestine and caecum.
Histomoniasis (Blackhead disease) in Game Birds
Histomoniasis (Blackhead disease) is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis.
M
Mycoplasma (Bulgy Eye)
In severe cases, the sinuses under the eye swell up - hence the name 'bulgy eye'.
Mycotoxins and Nutrition
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by a variety of fungi/moulds. Birds can pick up these toxins through infected feed or bedding.
N
Newcastle Disease
Newcastle Disease is one of two notifiable diseases of game birds in the United Kingdom, the other being Avian Influenza.
P
Pheasant Ataxia
Pheasant ataxia is caused by an unknown virus, and is a relatively new phenomenon that has only been described in the last couple of decades.
R
Rotavirus in Game Birds
Rotavirus is an infection which damages the intestines of birds resulting in a yellow watery scour. Dehydration also occurs and mortality can be as high as 70%, but is usually between 10-30%.
S
Salmonella in Game Birds
The most common isolate of Salmonella in gamebirds in a recent survey was S binza with around 30-50% of isolates.
Spironucleus (Hexamita) and Trichomoniasis in Game Birds
Spironucleosis (Hexamita) is a small leaf shaped protozoan-single celled organism- found in the small intestine and caecum.
W
Worms in Game Birds
When we talk about worms in game birds, we are usually referring to gapeworms, as these are the most common.
Y
Receive Your Game Birds Health Certificate
Finish reading a bulletin and take the clinical quiz at the end to receive a NADIS certificate and claim DairyPro points.