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Friday, July 22, 2011

awareness about our new website

Hello Friends ,

                             I have open new website     http://andhraasil.webs.com  for sharing of photos videos and knowledge . thanks to all members who followed the blog please registered our website and share your knowledge with us. is is register free site.




Thanks to all.
Suresh Chilakalapudi

Friday, July 1, 2011

Diseases& Diagnostics-Health

Aspergillosis (Brooder Pneumonia)

Aspergillosis has been observed in almost all birds and animals, including man. The disease is observed in one of two forms; acute outbreaks with high morbidity and high mortality in young birds, and a chronic condition affecting adult birds. It is more of a problem in turkeys than in chickens. The condition is caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, a mold or fungus-type organism. Occasionally other types of molds are involved. These organisms are present in the environment of all poultry. They grow readily on many substances such as litter, feed, rotten wood and other similar materials. The bird comes in contact with the organisms through contaminated feed, litter or premises. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from one bird to another. Most healthy birds can withstand repeated exposure to these organisms. Inhalation of large amounts of the infectious form of the mold or reduced resistance of the bird apparently results in infection. In adult turkeys, the disease more often affects the male. In the acute form in young birds, main symptoms are gasping, sleepiness, loss of appetite and sometimes convulsions and death. Occasionally the organism invades the brain, causing paralysis or other forms of nervous symptoms. The more chronic form in older birds usually results in loss of appetite, gasping or coughing and a rapid loss of body weight. Mortality is usually low and only a few birds are affected at one time. The disease produces hard nodular areas in the lungs and an infection of the air sacs. Sometimes the air sac lesions are similar to those produced by infectious sinusitis or CRD. In some birds, colonies of mold growth can be seen on the air sac membranes. Diagnosis is usually made from history, symptoms and lesions. It may be necessary to base diagnosis on microscopic lesions. The disease can usually be prevented by avoiding moldy litter, feed or premises. There is no treatment for the affected flock. Cleaning and disinfecting the equipment is often helpful.

Avian Influenza

(Virus) Mild form: Decline egg production - Mild respiratory disorder - Sneezing- coughing - Low mortality Systemic form: Chronic respiratory infection - Sinuses filled with cheese (like plugs) - Drowsiness, swelling of heads - High mortality Serological test only means of proper diagnosis - Prevent through vaccination - Vaccination not successful because of the many stereotypes and short immunities - Management best prevention - De-population best control

Blackhead (Protozoan)

Sulfur colored droppings - Enlarged ceca with cheese-like core - Large saucer- shaped lesions on the liver - 50% mortality after 15 days Rotate range and keep different ages of bird separate - dimetridayole is an effective treatment

Botulism

A disease caused by the ingestion of a toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. All domestic fowl and most wild birds are susceptible to the toxin's effects. Many human deaths have also been attributed to the consumption of food or water containing the toxin. Botulism is not a bacterial infection, but a condition produced by a byproduct of the bacteria's growth. The organism is common in nature and is widely dispersed in soils. Ingestion of the organism is not harmful. It becomes dangerous only when conditions are favorable for its growth and subsequent toxin formation. The organism grows best under high humidity and relatively high temperature and in an environment containing decaying organic material (plant or animal). The organism requires an environment in which all atmospheric oxygen is eliminated. The organism cannot multiply in the presence of air. Stagnant pools or damp areas with buried decaying matter are danger areas for toxin development. Botulism results after the decaying animal or plant material containing the toxin is consumed. Decaying carcasses are a frequent source of the toxin, as are many insects feeding in the same tissue. The insects may contain enough toxin to cause the disease in any bird that ingests it. Since the toxin is water soluble, water sources may become contaminated and provide a reservoir for the disease. The toxin is one of the most potent discovered by scientists. The toxin is relatively heat stable but may be destroyed by boiling. There are different types of the toxin; types A and C cause the disease in birds while type B frequently produces the disease in man. Weakness is generally the first sign of the illness and is followed by progressive flaccid paralysis of the legs, wings and neck. When neck muscles are affected the head hangs limp, thus causing a condition referred to as "limber neck". Affected birds may have a peculiar trembling, loose feathers that are pulled out easily and dull partly closed eyes. Some birds (turkey) do not develop loose feathers or limber neck symptoms. Because of the paralysis, birds are unable to swallow and mucous accumulates in the mouth. Fatally affected birds may lie in a profound coma appearing lifeless for several hours before death. Significant lesions are not usually observed in affected birds. Examining digestive contents may reveal insects, decomposed animal or vegetable material or other matter suggesting that the birds have consumed the toxin. A tentative diagnosis can be made from the history, symptoms and post-mortem findings. As an aid to diagnosis, sick birds may be given water into the crop, kept in a cool environment and treated intravenously with antitoxin. Recovery of a large percentage of the affected birds would substantiate diagnosis. Prevention should be aimed at eliminating sources of toxin production and preventing access of birds to such materials. These practices include prompt removal of all dead animals from houses and pens, debeaking the birds, controlling fly and insect populations and avoiding access to decaying organic material. Contaminated water supplies are particularly dangerous. If the disease strikes, locate and remove the source of the toxin and separate all visibly affected birds from the flock for treatment. Place sick birds in a cool shaded area and give fresh water into the crop, twice daily. Mild laxatives may be used for birds that have been exposed but do not show disease symptoms. Epsom salts (one pound per 100 birds) may be mixed into feed. Adding a level teaspoonful of Epsom salts in one ounce of water and placing in the crops of sick birds has been beneficial in many instances. Antitoxin therapy is indicated only in birds that have high individual value since the antitoxin is difficult to obtain and is expensive.

Bronchitis

Infectious bronchitis is an extremely contagious respiratory disease of chickens characterized by coughing, sneezing and rales (rattling). It is caused by a virus that affects chickens only. Other fowl or laboratory animals cannot be infected with this virus. Several distinct strains of the virus exist.
Infectious bronchitis is considered the most contagious of poultry diseases. When it occurs, all susceptible birds on the premises become infected, regardless of sanitary or quarantine precautions. The disease can spread through the air and can "jump" considerable distances during an active outbreak. It can also be spread by mechanical means such as on clothing, poultry crates and equipment. The disease is not egg transmitted and the virus will survive for probably no more than one week in the house when poultry are not present. It is easily destroyed by heat and ordinary disinfectants.
The infection is confined to the respiratory system. Symptoms are difficult breathing, gasping, sneezing and rales. Some birds may have a slight watery nasal discharge. The disease never causes nervous symptoms. It prevails for ten to fourteen days in a flock and symptoms lasting longer than this are from some other cause.
In chickens under three weeks of age, mortality may be as high as thirty or forty percent. The disease does not cause a significant mortality in birds over five weeks of age. Feed consumption decreases sharply and growth is retarded.
When infectious bronchitis occurs in a laying flock, production usually drops to near zero with a few days. Four weeks or more may be required before the flock returns to production. Some flocks never regain an economical rate of lay. During an outbreak, small, soft-shelled, irregular-shaped eggs are produced.
Infectious bronchitis is difficult to differentiate from many of the other respiratory diseases. For this reason, a definite diagnosis usually requires a laboratory analysis.
Infectious bronchitis is highly contagious and does not always respect sanitary barriers. Vaccinate chickens being retained as layers. Whether broilers should be vaccinated depends upon many factors and is an individual decision. Numerous vaccines are available commercially. Most of them represent a modified or selected strain of the infectious bronchitis virus. The vaccine used should contain virus known to be present in the area. All vaccines contain live virus and those that give the best protection are also capable of producing symptoms and reducing egg production. The vaccine virus will spread to other susceptible birds. Vaccine is usually added to the drinking water, but may be dropped into the eye or nostril or used as a spray.
There is no treatment for this disease. In young chickens it is helpful to increase the brooder temperature and provide as nearly ideal environmental conditions as possible.

BUMBLEFOOT

Is caused for birds dropping to the hard ground from roost. is a bacteria know as staphylococcus. The ball of the foot and area around toes will be swollen and full of pus. it will cause birds to be lame.
use a good antibiotic like penicillin . 1/2 cc in swollen area. you may have to cut open the swollen area and squeeze the pus out. Use a good triple antibiotic on abscess keep bird in a small pen with no roost and lots of soft litter.

CANKER

Is caused by unhealthy unsanitary conditions. moldy feed and litter, stagnated water, it is a protozoan parasite.
the bird will have a nasty smelling drool and watery eyes. will not eat. there will be white sores outside and inside mouth also down the throat.
It is not a very good idea to to scrape the canker it just releases the germ.
1/4 teaspoon of copper sulfate in water for 7 days .

CHOLERA

Is transmitted threw the egg. wont show up until the biddies are at least 6 weeks old or older. It can be spreader threw the drinking water and droppings. their droppings will be green-yellow or white in color their faces will be hot to the touch they will drinking lost of water and not eating they will lose weight and become lame. they will have a hard time breathing or a rattle their heads can turn blue from lack of oxygen .. cut one of the dead birds open to see if his liver has grayish white spots on it.. there may be hemorrhages in the lungs.
give 1 cc or la200 in the breast morning and night for 5 days. Squirt 2 cc or penicillin down there throats for 3 days. For rest of the chickens use 1 teaspoon of tetracycline to 1 gallon of water for 7 days ...

Coccidiosis

Is an important disease of young birds in every season, wherever poultry are raised. There are several kinds of coccidia that infect poultry and they each act as a separate disease. Coccidiosis is a disease of the intestinal tract with cecal or bloody coccidiosis being the most common form in small poultry flocks. In diagnosing coccidiosis it is important to confirm that coccidia are present, but not to identify the species. All coccidial species are responsive to the same treatment--a coccidiostat or sulfa drug. Coccidiosis occurs anytime after birds reach 2 1/2 weeks of age or following moves from one house to another. The symptoms are varied, but the droppings may range from pure blood to watery consistency and the birds become unthrifty, have ruffled feathers and soiled vent feathers and are lethargic. A few sick or freshly dead birds should be necropsied to confirm the diagnosis.

Colibacillosis (Coliform infections)


Problems attributed to coliform infections are often caused by strains of the Escherichia coli organism. There is a marked variation in severity. Problems range from severe acute infections with sudden and high mortality to mild infections of a chronic nature with low morbidity and mortality. Infections may result in a respiratory disease from air sac infection, a septicemic (blood) disease from generalized infections, an enteritis from intestinal infection or a combination of any or all of these conditions. The disease may result from a coliform infection alone as in primary infection or in combination with other disease agents as a complicating or secondary infection. Secondary infections commonly occur as a part of the classic air sac disease syndrome as a complication with Mycoplasma gallisepticum infections. All ages can be affected; however, the acute septicemia in young turkeys and airsacculitis in young chickens is more common in young growing birds. High, early mortality may occur as the result of navel infections. The symptoms of this disease is caused by the E. coli bacteria and the toxins produced as they grow and multiply. There are many different strains or serological types within the group of E. coli bacteria. Many are normal inhabitants in intestinal tracts of chickens and turkeys and consequently are common organisms in the birds' environment. A marked variation exists between different strains in their ability to cause disease. Some are severe and by themselves can cause disease while others are supposedly harmless. All degrees of pathogenicity exist between the two extremes. The primary routes of invasion by the organism are the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract. Omphalitis and infections in young birds may result from entry through the unhealed navel or penetration of the egg shell prior to or during incubation. The symptoms vary with the different types of infections. In the acute septicemic form, mortality may begin suddenly and progress rapidly. Morbidity may not be apparent and birds in apparently good condition may die. However, in most cases birds are listless with ruffled feathers and indications of fever. Additional symptoms of labored breathing, occasional coughing and rales may be apparent. Diarrhea may be evident. Mortality may be high in recently hatched chicks and poults as a result of navel infection of coliforms. Extremely acute septicemic infection may result in sudden death with very few, if any, lesions apparent. Common lesions include dehydration, swelling and congestion of the liver and spleen and kidneys and pinpoint hemorrhages in the viscera. Fibrinous to caseous exudate in the air sacs, heart sac and on the surface of the heart, liver and lungs is a characteristic lesion. The intestines may be thickened and inflamed and may contain excess mucus and areas of hemorrhage. Navel infections, similar to those described for omphalitis may be seen in young birds. Diagnosis by laboratory means is necessary since coliform infection in its various forms may resemble and be easily confused with many other diseases. Isolation and identification of the organism by culture procedures can be accomplished relatively quickly; however, mere isolation is not sufficient to make a diagnosis. One must take into consideration the organ from which the organisms were isolated, the pathogenicity of the particular isolate and the presence of other disease agents. Management and sanitation practices designed to reduce the number of these types of organisms in the birds' environment are necessary. In addition, reducing stress factors and other disease agents can enhance the ability of birds to defend against harmful infections. Providing adequate ventilation, good litter and range conditions, properly cleaned and disinfected equipment and facilities and high quality feed and water will improve the disease resisting status of the birds. The poultryman must always avoid overcrowding, environmental stresses like chilling or overheating and avoid vaccination or handling stress during periods when the birds are already subjected to stressful conditions. Proper egg handling, good hatchery management and implementing a good sanitation program is necessary to reduce early exposure of chicks or poults to disease organisms. It is always emphasized that problems due to one of the more pathogenic strains may occur even under ideal conditions. The response of coliform infections to various medications is erratic and often difficult to evaluate. Under practical conditions, treatment is often disappointing. Drug sensitivity varies with the strain of E. coli causing the condition. Laboratory tests to determine the sensitivity to the various drugs are useful to select the most beneficial drugs. When practical, moving birds to a clean environment may be of more value than medication. For example, when outbreaks occur in growing turkeys in the brooder house, moving to range is often the best treatment.

CORYZA

Is a fast spreading respiratory disease.
symptoms are, sneezing, running nose, note nostrils will clog causing a nasty smell. that is you first warning you have Coryza. sometimes the head and eyes will swell. there may even be a rattle in the throat.
treatment is Sodium Sulfamethazine. 1 tablespoon for each gallon of water for a week to two weeks. note: birds that have been infected could be carriers.
Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) is a complex respiratory disease whose root cause is an infection by Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG). The MG infection is almost always accompanied with another infection whether, bacterial or viral. The MG infection can be controlled thru medications and vaccinations, however once a bird is infected there is no cure. The secondary infections can be cured thru medication in the case of bacteria or thru the birds immune system, in the case of viral infection. Therefore, as there is no cure for MG the respiratory infections will re-occur with every new bacterial or viral respiratory infection. To add to this complex problem, stress whether it be from a severe change in the weather, poor management, working the bird or whatever, makes the bird more prone to an outbreak.

The signs and symptoms are varied, depending on how severe the infection is, the general health of the bird, what secondary infections are present and how much stress the bird is under. A squeaky crow along with respiratory rattles are usually the first signs. Bubbles in the eyes are very characteristic which can be followed by nasal discharge. Birds, when worked, will be short winded, have very little energy and will become blue headed if the disease is severe. In severe infections the bird will have a fever and will develop diarrhea or the greens and will lose weight.

MG is spread by many means. It is passed thru the egg from one generation to the next. The disease can be carried thru the air for short distances, be carried by wild birds and animals, be transmitted by direct contact or by sharing feed and water cups, and very importantly, by yourself on hands, clothing, or shoes.

Tylan is the drug of choice and will control the disease very well. Tylan can be given by injection or thru the drinking water. LS-50, Spectam, Gallimycin and Tetracycline are also effective. There are live and killed vaccines for the control of MG. The use of live vaccines are controlled in some states and there reactions are sometimes very strong, making live vaccines a second choice to killed vaccines. Killed vaccines offer long term control with very little risk. Also these killed products are now available in combination with Newcastle and Bronchitis, making the 3-way vaccine a broad protection product.

MG which is the cause of CRD, is a problem which must be and can be kept under control. Everyone should know if he is infected so he can control the problem or if he is clean so he can work to stay that way. The only sure way to know your status is by blood testing your birds.

Curling of the feathers

Is caused by a lack of protein a feather is 85% protein
Proteins make up a large portion of the blood, muscles, organs, skin, tendons, bone , nail and feathers. Proteins constitute about 1/5 the weight of the living chicken and about 1/8 of the weight of the whole egg.
protein comes from animals and plants. the best source of protein would be from animals because it contains amino acids and vit B-12 which a chicken needs.
dog food, cat food, fish oil, butter milk, whole milk, bone meal by adding one of these you can bring your protein level up. oats are only 9-11% protein they have no amino acids.
lack of protein and amino acids will cause tongue to turn black or curl up, feathers to dry ,break or curl up.
if you live in a cold area where you need to soak feed for the moisture soak some dog food in water or milk .

Encephalomalacia crazy chick disease vit E deficiency

Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)

Infectious bursal disease is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of young chickens. It is most often found in highly concentrated poultry producing areas. It causes marked morbidity and mortality in affected flocks. Although the disease causes severe losses, its affect on reducing the bird's ability to develop immunity to other diseases may be the most serious effect produced by this disease. The transmission or spread of the disease can occur by direct contact (bird to bird), contaminated litter and feces, caretaker, contaminated air, equipment, feed, servicemen and possible insects and wild birds. It is extremely contagious. Birds have ruffled feathers, a slight tremor at onset of the disease, strained defecation, loss of appetite and are dehydrated. Affected birds have a tendency to sit and when forced to move, have an unsteady gait. Vent picking is common and a whitish diarrhea frequently develops. A sudden rise in body temperature is followed by a drop to subnormal temperature, prostration and death. Birds surviving the initial infection will recover rapidly within two weeks. Postmortem lesions include dehydration and changes in the bursa, skeletal muscle, liver and kidneys. All affected birds have bursal changes characterized by swelling, change in shape (oblong), color (pink, yellow, red, black) and the formation of a gelatinous film around the bursa. Within a few days the bursa shrinks to half its normal size or smaller. Diagnosis of infectious bursal disease is based on flock history and postmortem lesions. Laboratory procedures may be used to substantiate the diagnosis. Vaccines are available but must be carefully used. If given correctly, good immunity can be developed. There is no specific treatment for infectious bursal disease and indiscriminate medication with certain drugs may severely aggravate mortality. Supportive measures such as increasing heat, ventilation and water consumption are beneficial.

Enteritis

one of the number 1 causes of Enteritis or the greens is a change in feed . Also change is weather - heat or rain .
symptoms: greenish diarrhea , crop bound
Dehydration is a problem because birds can become crop bound .

1 cc of LA 200 In breast muscle and 1 cc down throat morning and evening for 4 days

or triple sulfa powder 1 teaspoon in a gallon of water for 6 days.

treat for crop bound if needed.


Erysipelas

Is a bacterial disease caused by Erysipelothrix insidiosa. The disease affects several species of birds including chickens, ducks and geese, but the fowl in which it has been of primary importance is the turkey. Man is susceptible to infection and may contract the disease from infected turkeys. Since this organism is pathogenic for man, care should be taken when handling infected birds or tissues. Erysipelas in turkeys occurs most often during the fall and winter months and usually affects birds that are four to seven months of age, although any age bird is susceptible. Incidence has often been reported to be higher in males than in females, possibly because fighting males receive numerous skin abrasions that serve as portals of entry for the bacteria. In some instances the incidence is higher in hens than toms because of artificial insemination techniques that provide a means of transmission. The organism may survive for long periods in the soil and most outbreaks are thought to originate from contaminated soil or premises. Sheep, swine and rodents may be carriers of the disease organisms. Recurrence of the disease on a premise is common. Predisposing or aggravating factors include over-crowding damp or inclement weather and poor sanitation and range management. The first indication of the disease may be the discovery of several dead birds. Usually several morbid birds can be found; however, most affected birds are visibly sick for only a short period before death. Symptoms are typical of a septicemia disease and include a general weakness, listlessness, lack of appetite and sometimes a yellowish or greenish diarrhea. Occasionally, the snood of toms may be turgid, swollen and purple. Some birds may be found lame with swollen leg joints due to localization of the infection. In breeding flocks, this disease occasionally is associated with decreased fertility and hatchability. Daily morbidity and mortality usually are low; however, in untreated flocks mortality may persist for some time and become excessive. The most characteristic lesions are small or diffuse hemorrhages located in almost any tissue or organ. Such hemorrhages are commonly observed in the muscles, heart, liver, spleen, fat and other tissues of the body cavities. Hemorrhagic conditions of skin may result in purple blotches. The liver and spleen are usually enlarged, congested and occasionally contain necrotic foci. Enteritis or inflammation of the intestinal tract is commonly observed, as in most septicemic diseases. Symptoms and lesions may resemble other diseases so closely that a reliable diagnosis can be made only through isolation and identification of the causative organism. Good management practices that aid in preventing erysipelas include avoiding the use of ranges previously occupied by swine, sheep or turkeys where erysipelas is known to have existed. Debeaking, removal of the snoods of toms, measures that prevent injury from fighting, avoiding overcrowding and providing well drained ranges will aid in preventing this disease problem.Bacterins are available and are useful on premises where history indicates that outbreaks may be a problem. The amount and duration of protection is relative to the amount of exposure and may not be sufficient for the entire laying period. Administer bacterins in accordance with the manufacturer's directions. Move sick birds to a hospital pen for individual treatment and to prevent cannibalism. Moving unaffected birds to a clean range may aid in preventing the spread of the disease but may also contaminate an additional range. Various antibiotics have shown efficacy in treating erysipelas; however, penicillin is best. Penicillin injections in the leg or breast muscles of visibly sick birds is effective in decreasing mortality. One injection is usually sufficient, but more may be given if necessary. Water and feed medication may be of value under certain conditions.

Protein: any of numerous naturally occurring extremely complex substances that consist of amino-acid residues joined by peptide bonds, contain the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usu. sulfur, and occas. other elements (as phosphorus or iron), and include many essential biological compounds (as enzymes, hormones, or immunoglobulins)

FAVUS

Is a parasite fungus called Trichophyton Gallinae it can be transmitted to humans. Make sure you wear gloves when handling sick fowl .Can spread to whole flock ,birds can become weak and lose weight if it is not gotten under control . Mange medicine for dogs will work also Athletes Foot cream

Laryngo-tracheitis
(Virus) Coughing, sneezing, difficult breathing - depressed - stretches neck when inhaling (causing sound as they breathe) - occasional facial swelling - medium to high mortality Lesions: bloody mucus in the trachea - cheesy plug at the upper tracea, usually causing death (get lab diagnosis) Vaccination is only treatment - Quarantine

LIMBERNECK { botulism}

Caused by eating rotten feed maggot containing the boulism toxins, signs will show up in few hours .. first signs nervousness birds get weak, sleepy. loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, progressive paralysis of the legs, wings and neck, chickens may lay on ground with neck stretched out unable to left there heads. the feathers will be loose and easily pull out. mix one tablespoon of Epsom salts to 1/2 cup of water . pour as much as you can down the throat, two times a day for 2 or 3 days. if they condition is untreated the fowl will die.

MAREK`S DISEASE

Other wise know as range paralysis is caused by a virus there is no cure .it is none to be a herpes virus but there is also 6 other viruses that cause marek`s disease .. causing weight loss, the bird will lay on its side will have a nervous twitch prior to death. the virus is from turkeys but they do not get the virus they just harbor it. so when you are vaccinating your are injecting the turkey virus into the chicken but it is not a infectious virus because the turkey blocks the virus from entering the cells of the chicken. you got to make sure that you get the turkey vaccine in the chickens system before the marek`s virus does. if you vaccinate when chicks are are older and the marek`s virus is already in them the vaccine will do no good and the chicken will come down with the disease. that is why it is recommended that you vaccinate at one day old...most chickens will not show any symptoms until they are 6 or 9 months old. the vaccine comes in two vials one is a powder and the other liquid mix the two together with a syringe and needle give your chicks a shot under the skin 1/4 cc. the injection is for under the skin back or neck, breast or leg just lift up the skin and put the needle beneath it... remember that the vaccine has to be kept in there refrigerator ...if you don't need all the vaccine just mix up 1/4 of the powder and 1/4 of the liquid put the unmixed back in the refrigerator. once mixed it will last up to 2 hours.

NEWCASTLE Disease
Newcastle disease is a contagious viral infection causing a respiratory nervous disorder in several species of fowl including chickens and turkeys. Different types or strains of the virus (varying in their ability to cause nervous disorder, visceral lesions and death) have been recognized.
The most severe strain is called viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND) and is kept from birds in the U.S. by enforcement of strict quarantines at our national borders. It is often referred to as "Exotic Newcastle Disease" and infection of susceptible fowl with this form usually causes high mortality. Due to the reduced chance that poultry in this country will become infected with this disease form, it will not be discussed.
A milder form of the disease is called "mesogenic" Newcastle disease and is the most serious strain found in the U.S. This is the form that is referred to as Newcastle disease in this discussion.
Newcastle disease is highly contagious. All birds in a flock usually become infected within three to four days. The virus can be transmitted by contaminated equipment, shoes, clothing and free-flying birds. During the active respiratory stage, it can be transmitted through the air. The virus is not thought to travel any great distance by this method. Recovered birds are not considered carriers and the virus usually does not live longer than thirty days on the premises.

Signs of Newcastle disease are not greatly different from those of other respiratory diseases. The signs most frequently observed are nasal discharge, excessive mucous in the trachea, cloudy air sacs, casts or plugs in the air passages of the lungs and cloudiness in the cornea of the eye.
The disease in young chickens begins with difficult breathing, gasping and sneezing. This phase continues for ten to fourteen days and may be followed by nervous symptoms. If nervous disorders develop, they may consist of paralysis of one or both wings and legs or a twisting of the head and neck. The head often is drawn over the back or down between the legs. Mortality may vary from none to total loss of the flock.
In adult chickens, respiratory symptoms predominate. Only rarely do nervous disorders develop. If the flock is laying, egg production usually drops rapidly. When this occurs, it takes four weeks or longer for the flock to return to the former production rate. During the outbreak, small, soft-shelled, off-colored and irregular-shaped eggs are produced. Mortality in adult birds is usually low but may be fairly high from some virus strains.
In turkeys, the symptoms are usually mild and may be unnoticed unless nervous disorders develop. During an outbreak, turkeys will produce eggs with a chalky white shell. Reduced production in breeder flocks is the main economic loss from this disease in turkeys.
The flock history, signs of a respiratory nervous disorder and other typical lesions often may be sufficient to allow a tentative diagnosis. Usually, however, the disease cannot be differentiated from infectious bronchitis and some of the other respiratory infections, except by laboratory methods.
Vaccination is practiced widely and is the recommended method for prevention. Several types of vaccines are available but the most successful and widely used is the mild live virus vaccine known as the B1 and La Sota types. The vaccines may be used by drops into the nostril or eye, addition to the drinking water or applied in spray form.
Broiler chickens are usually vaccinated when seven to ten days of age. Chickens kept for egg production are usually vaccinated at least three times. The vaccine is given when birds are approximately seven days, again at about four weeks and a third time at about four months of age. Revaccination while in lay is commonly practiced.
Vaccination is not widely used in turkeys. It is used to protect egg producing breeder flocks. One dose of the mild type vaccine is given after selecting breeder birds.
There is no treatment for Newcastle disease. The disease does not always respect even the best management programs, but good "biosecurity" practices will help reduce the possibility of exposure to Newcastle disease virus.

OMPHALITIS

May be defined technically as an inflammation of the navel. As commonly used, the term refers to improper closure of the navel with subsequent bacterial infection (navel ill; mushy chick disease). Apparently, most problems result from mixed bacterial infections including the common coliforms and various species belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Proteus, and others. Omphalitis can usually be traced to faulty incubation, poor hatchery sanitation or chilling/overheating soon after hatching (such as in transit). The significance of isolating one of the bacterial species mentioned above is complicated in that many of the same species can be isolated from the yolks of supposedly normal birds immediately after hatching. Omphalitis occurs during the first few days of life, so it cannot be considered transmissible from bird to bird. It is transmitted from unsanitary equipment in the hatchery to newly hatched birds having unhealed navels. Affected chicks usually appear drowsy or droopy with the down being "puffed up". They also generally appear to be of inferior quality and show a lack of uniformity. Many individuals stand near the heat source and are indifferent to feed or water. Diarrhea sometimes occurs. Mortality usually begins within 24 hours and peaks by five to seven days. Characteristic lesions are poorly healed navels, subcutaneous edema, bluish color of the abdominal muscles around the navel and unabsorbed yolk material that often has a putrid odor. Often yolks are ruptured and peritonitis is common. A tentative diagnosis can be made on the basis of history and lesions. The presence of mixed bacterial infections and absence of any specific disease-producing agent is used for confirming the diagnosis. Good management and sanitation procedures in the hatchery and during the first few days following hatching are the only sure ways to prevent omphalitis. Broad spectrum antibiotics help reduce mortality

PASTEURELLA

A germ causing young fowl to become stilt legged. it also can cause Bitotin deficiency.
run sulfqinoxaline in water for 3 days skip 2 and run 3 more days.

POX { wet and dry}

First of all biddies should be vaccinated when they are 1 day old. Then again when they are 12 weeks old. But if you can't do that.. You should get the chicken/chickens with the virus away from everything else on the yard. You should immediately vaccinate all fowl that does not show signs of the virus. You should Run Antibiotics and Vitamins in water to keep secondary infections from showing up. Pox is an air born virus but can only be caught from an open wound. It is spread by mosquitoes and other biting bugs. The virus must inter threw an open cut. Never trim stags while you have pox on your yard. It takes 3 - 4 weeks for the virus to run its course. Once the birds has had the virus it will be immune. There is no cure for Pox. There is two forms of Pox wet and dry. Dry pox will show scabbed bumps on waddles, head, comb, and sometimes even the legs. Wet pox will show wart like sores on head, waddles, comb, legs, vent, throat, eyes. The sore inside the mouth will look like cankers and also show coryza like symptoms with the nasty smell. This can cause chickens not to be able to breath and die.. Sores on eye's can cause chickens to become blind also.

PULLORUM disease

Is an acute or chronic infectious, bacterial disease affecting primarily chickens and turkeys, but most domestic and wild fowl can be infected. The cause is a bacterium named Salmonella pullorum. This organism is primarily egg transmitted, but transmission may occur by other means such as: Infected hen to egg, egg to chick, or chick to chick in incubator, chick box, brooder, or house. Survivors become infected breeders (cycle begins again), Mechanical transmission (carried around on clothes, shoes or equipment), Carrier birds (apparently healthy birds shed the disease organisms), Contaminated premises (from previous outbreaks). Disease organisms may enter the bird through the respiratory (as in the incubator) or digestive systems. Most outbreaks of acute pullorum disease in chickens or turkeys result from infection while in the hatchery. Pullorum disease is highly fatal to young chicks or poults, but mature birds are more resistant. Young birds may die soon after hatching without exhibiting any observable signs. Most acute outbreaks occur in birds that are under three weeks of age. Mortality in such outbreaks may approach ninety percent if untreated. Survivors are usually stunted and unthrifty. Infection in young birds may be indicated by droopiness, ruffled feathers, a chilled appearance with birds huddling near a source of heat, labored breathing, and presence of a white diarrhea with a "pasted-down" appearance around the vent. The white diarrhea symptom instigated the term "bacillary white diarrhea" that was commonly associated with this disease at one time. Gross lesions may be lacking in some adult birds. Diagnosis in young birds is made by isolating the causative organism in the laboratory. In older birds, blood testing may indicate an infection but a positive diagnosis depends upon isolation and identification of the organism by laboratory procedures. Complete eradication is the only sound way to prevent pullorum disease. All hatchery supply flocks should be tested and only pullorum-free flocks used as a source of hatching eggs. Purchase chicks or poults from hatcheries that are officially recognized as "Pullorum Clean" by National Poultry Improvement Plan representatives in your state. Treatment primarily is a salvage operation and does not prevent birds from becoming carriers. Consequently, do not keep recovered flocks for egg production. Among the drugs used to treat pullorum disease are furazolidone, gentamycin sulfate, and sulfa drugs (sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethazine, and sulfamerazine).

VENT GLEET

A disease causing swelling in the vent area it is caused by thrush fungus and accompanied by a bacterial infection.
1 cc of LA 2000 in the breast and 1 cc and LA2000 down the throat for 5 days

Health problems

Egg Laying

Normally a true blood line aseel hen lays two to three clutches per year and some lay only one. If the hen stopped laying eggs then there would be several reasons behind it which may force her for this deficiency. Some of the reasons are :

Calcium deficiency: This is is caused due to less intake of calcium than its daily minimum requirement, and egg laying hens require more calcium daily than any normal hen(because an egg shell is made up of calcium and phosphorus) otherwise it starts using up the calcium in its bones and by age this weakens the hen and results in bone fracture or sprawled legs etc. The daily calcium intake can be maintained by giving regular calcium supplements such as broken sea shells or broken egg shells are high in calcium and phosphorus.

Protein Deficiency and Water: An egg white is comprised of high quantity of protein and water. Non-Vegetarian or meat products are high in Protein content, and a small quantity of it daily or once daily may serve the purpose. Similarly an egg laying hen requires lots of water than normal days especially in hot season so please provide 24hrs fresh water which is changed at least daily once.

Vitamin-D deficiency: Due this reason a hen lays eggs whose shells are very soft. Vitamin D is naturally available from sunlight, which means an egg laying hen requires at least some sunlight for its daily requirement to be fulfilled. Other than sunlight in some cold countries people use Egg, Beef liver, Fatty fish species, such as:

Herring, Catfish, Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines, Tuna, Eel, Fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil etc.

Physical Problems: Some aseel hens stop laying eggs even after fulfilling the above criteria, this may be caused due to deficiency in its reproductive system which may be natural phenomina or attained by some age. If this is a natural phanomina then nobody can help except the almighty. But if it is attained by some age for example: if a hen stopped laying eggs after a tremendous fight or sparing then its ovule duct in its reproductive is damaged or blocked, this is to be medicated by a veterinary doctor otherwise by time it may be incurable.

Note:

A hen does not need a rooster to lay egg, it is only required when you want the eggs to be fertilized and hatch.

Eye infection

Eye infections are of different types but all are almost curable with Genticin drops daily as instructed below

Chicks(Below 5 months)--- half of a drop in the infected eye once in two days till cured.

Pullets/Stags(5-12 months)---Half of a drop in the infected eye daily once till cured.

Adults(Year and above)---One drop in the infected eye daily once till cured.

Swollen flesh from inside the infected Eye: This may occur due to any physical injury during a fight between two fouls. Usually the above technique will help before swelling but after swelling the excess portion can be slowly reduced to normal by daily injecting 0.5ml of Enrofloxacin near its chest. When medicating with Enrofloxacin give your aseel a healthy diet.

Note :The above medicine (Enrofloxacin Injection) may not work properly with some fowls due to some surrounding conditions. In that case better to consult a veteran practitioner.

How to prepare your asil

The sport of cockfighting has existed for hundreds of years, but like most sciences, more progress has been made in the past fifty than all those preceding years. The average cocks of today could defeat those cocks bred and fed in the 1920's. Why? For the same reasons human beings today are stronger, bigger and faster than their grandparents: breeding and feeding. Great strides have been made in genetics and nutrition in the past fifty, and particularly, the last twenty years. Consequently, average life expectancy, general health, and size have increased by leaps and bounds. In the animal world horses run faster, cows produce more milk and beef, hens lay more eggs, and so on.
Cockers of today are more knowledgeable and generally better educated, with more available information, than ever before. But, while most cockers are great students of experience, as a rule, they do little to actually study genetics and nutrition with an eye toward improving the ability and performance of their fowl. This conditioning method is an attempt to enable many cockers to "catch up" with the latest scientific developments in nutrition and training. The research, the studying, and the experimentation have been done for you. This keep can work for you.
I have read dozens of keeps, and while I have not seen one written in the last ten years that would actually be detrimental to your fowl, most have been fairly similar as to feed and work. You will find that this keep is different in its approach, than any you have ever used. To be successful, you must follow this keep closely, in quantity of feed and work, and in type of feed and timing.
This conditioning method is based on the latest studies concerning athletic competition, and what are cocks except athletes? The principle behind it is known as "carbohydrate loading". To understand fully how this keep works, you should know a little about nutrition and its effects. So you can understand the ideas involved, I will try to simplify them.
The amount of energy that a muscle will be able to produce depends on the amount of "glycogen" stored in that muscle. Glycogen is a chemical that serves as fuel for the muscle. The more glycogen present in the muscle, the longer that muscle will be able to act effectively. Studies have shown that if glycogen stores are depleted by exercise and a low carbohydrate diet, then replaced by rest and a high carbohydrate diet, the muscle can store twice as much glycogen, or energy, as it had originally. No one needs to tell you what this means in practical terms: your cock will hit harder, and more importantly, will be able to do it much longer than he would have otherwise. He will maintain that deadly punch for a greater period of time. I will explain about carbohydrates, proteins and fats in more detail when we get to the subject of feed.
Finally, let me say that this is the closest thing to a workingman's keep that you can find. It does not require 12 hours a day to be effective. The maximum time needed would be I to 2 hours in the morning and the same in the evening. The quantity of the time spent with your show of cocks is not as important as the quality of the time. Make sure that your time is well organized and efficient. This keep does require good cocks in good health cocks that are well bred and have been fed and cared for properly all their lives. There is no keep, and especially, no substance, that will make up for lack of care. So if you bought this keep because you have been lazy your cocks are in poor health from lack of care then you cannot expect this conditioning method, or any other, to do them any good.

Pre-Keep? What's That?
My feeling on this subject is that our cocks should be in a pre-keep all their lives well fed, but at approximate fighting weights, worm free and deloused. I hope you don't have cocks that are any other way. I have fought cocks off strings, out of fly pens and out of holding pens with no appreciable difference in performance when this keep is used for the last fourteen days. The important thing to remember is that fowl are like people, in that they become bored with the same surroundings. Whenever possible, rotate cocks on a regular basis from fly pens to holding pens to string walks. This will keep the cocks active and alert and prevent them from becoming coop-stale. Handle your cocks often, except in moulting season, to tame them and to determine their weights so that their feed rations can be adjusted accordingly.
I cannot overemphasize the fact that you should put up only those cocks that are gentle and well mannered. Life is too short to fool with manfighters besides, it is my belief that most manfighters are not truly game. However, don't confuse manfighters with nervous, high-strung fowl. Also, many otherwise gentle cocks will hit back if mishandled or when they are becoming sharp during the keep. Like boxers, cocks in training love to snap a few punches at an available target. In summary, just let me say that if a cock doesn't gentle down, doesn't stop hitting or pecking when picked up, after a week's gentle handling, don't consider him for a keep. Kill him, breed him (if you are a fool), but don't put him up to fight.
Since I am on the subject, I'll attempt to give you a good all around feed routine, as well as a worming and delousing schedule. Your daily feed for fowl on your yard should consist of approximately 55% carbohydrates, 15% protein, and 30% fat. Since most laying mash is 12% to 15% protein, you will need to supplement the protein, unless you use the 20 to 30% protein lay pellets offered by some feed stores. A good all-around feed, and one that is as cheap as possible without sacrificing quality, is one part scratch (which consists of cracked corn and wheat), one part 20% laying pellets and one part soaked oats. For those cockers in the less temperate areas, substitute whole corn for scratch in the winter. Sure, you can buy more expensive feeds, but for a good sound all-purpose feed, this mixture can't be beaten. As for supplementing protein, in moderation, you can use "trout chow", fish meal, or even some high protein dog food such as Gaines. But always remember use these in moderation. Because, after all, you are feeding chickens, and the closer you stay to a natural diet, the better off you will be. A lot of fancy feeds will just upset a fowl's digestion. The opinions on amounts and times of feeds would fill a book much larger than this. Adjust your feed in accordance with the weight of the cock. Whether you feed once or twice daily depends on so many variables, I wouldn't even begin to try to dictate to you climate, types of pens, breeds of fowl. Go with what works best for you. One hint though, if you have rather severe winters, make sure your cocks are fed as close to dark as possible, the more corn the better, if this is a second feed. It has been my experience that a cock with a full crop can stand those cold nights much better than one that is empty.
As for worming and delousing get on a regular schedule. If you have string walks, change the leg bands every Saturday or Sunday or whatever, just do it regularly. The same goes for worming and delousing. Fowl should be wormed and deloused every month. In fact, I often delouse and worm any time I have an occasion to catch one of my fowl running loose on the yard. Any number of good products are available for getting rid of lice. Several are advertised in your gamefowl journals and I have heard good comments about most all of them. Most farm and feed stores carry a brand of lice powder. I know some cockers who use Black Leaf 40 to delouse, often with a chemical dip, but I don't advise this. I know of one prominent cocker who completely submerged all his battle cocks in a delousing solution way over 100 of them. By the time he had finished the last one, he looked back, and the first ones were beginning to fall over. He lost every single treated cock that day, and although he is beginning to win again this year, it took him three years to regain his previous position. So I don't recommend dips, nor do I recommend Black Leaf 40 for the amateur.
The only worm medicine I can recommend is the Wormal product from Salsbury Laboratories. If you follow directions on the bottle, Piperzine liquid wormer is okay too, especially for young fowl. But remember, Piperzine only kills one type of worm, the roundworm, while Wormal will kill three types of worms, including the roundworm. Don't be misled by sensational claims in the gamefowl journals advertising a revolutionary new worm medicine. If a more effective worm medicine had been discovered, believe me, the commercial poultry men would be using it. They're using Wormal, and so am I. Some worms hatch on 10-day cycles, so to be safe, worm on Saturday, and then 10 days later. After that, follow your monthly schedule to control worms. Just remember that worms, like lice, can never be completely eliminated, just controlled.

Vitamins: Myth or Magic?
The truth about the effects of vitamins actually lies somewhere in between. I have had to rethink my position on vitamins recently. Three years ago, I, along with most scientists, doctors and nutritionists, felt that all the vitamins a person needed were contained in a well-balanced diet. 'Using vitamin and mineral supplements was just paying for expensive urine, the body's way of discarding unneeded vitamins. However, today most experts agree that extra vitamins can play an important role in any serious training program, as long as massive doses are not used. It is quite possible to die from overdoses of vitamins vitamin D, for example. Certain vitamins such as C and B-12 are water soluble, which means that the body does not absorb what it doesn't need, and one cannot receive an overdose from these vitamins. So, in conclusion, let me say that although vitamins and their effects are still not completely understood, it is clear that cocks under the physical strain of intensive conditioning can benefit from an extra vitamin and mineral supplement, such as we advise in this program.

Water, Water, Everywhere ...
Every keep I have ever read mentions drying cocks out before they fight by limiting their water intake. Some of the directions are moderate and some are radical. Cockers thirty or forty years ago often gave their cocks no water for the last two days! In to-, day's fast-paced competition, I know of no surer way to get them killed. Cocks need moisture in their bodies to convert glycogen to energy. Exactly how much water a cock needs is determined by so many factors it is impossible to predict with any certainty but I will say this, give your cocks all the water they will drink during the keep. Believe me, the cocks are better judges of what they need than we are. In fact, in extremely cold weather, you may want to encourage cocks to drink by giving them warm water or warm water mixed with powdered milk. Always keep water by your cocks during the keep, up until 24 hours or so before the fight, when you want to regulate every bit of their feed and water intake. Consider this fact: when a cock loses 2% of his body weight in water, his ability to perform begins to deteriorate. In other words, he is riot fighting up to his potential. Two percent of a 5 pound cock's weight is 1.6 ounces, a little over one and a half ounces. SO, if you bring a cock into a fight with all the moisture he needs in his tissues, he has a much better chance. And that, my friend, is the name of the game.
When pressed, most cockers will describe a cock on point" as a bundle of nerves, bobbing, clucking, moving a cocked gun. I define a cock on point as being a cock that is ready and at the peak of his health, strength and well-being. For years, I have corresponded with a prominent cocker who has continually pressed this idea on me: "Fight your cocks when they are ready, not when you are." This means taking cocks to the pit when they are at the peak of their mental and physical well-being.
"Pointing" is a natural thing. It is the end result of several contributing factors: the cock is empty, he has been rested force rested, and he is sexually and physically frustrated from inactivity. As a result of all these factors, his blood sugar level is way up, his energy is at its peak and he is not only ready, he's anxious for an outlet, he wants to fight. Often a cock "on point" is described as "corky" to describe a cock that is light and bobs like a cork on water. There is really no way to describe a cock on point but I guarantee you'll know it when you feel him. This is not something to be taught, it must be experienced.

Sparring
Sparring can be a valuable tool for the cocker if done properly. First, it is a tool for selection it allows the cocker to get some idea of how a cock will fight. Secondly, a cock can learn some things during the course of a session, good habits as well as bad. Thirdly, sparring can be a valuable outlet for a cock's pent-up energy, allowing him to vent his rage and delay his coming on point too early.
Some cockers use a catch cock and attempt to "teach" a cock to hit at a cock's tail even if he can't see his head. Also, some cockers tie a catch cock's legs to see if he will score on a down cock. I am doubtful if either of these practices does the slightest bit of good, because I think the aggressiveness of the cock is determined in the brood pen.
However, cocks, to a certain degree, can be taught to score quickly. This is the way. First, bill your cocks really well, flush them and set them down close together, close enough so they'll get at one another very fast. Let them have a good pitting, enough to make them really mad, but don't let them wallow and break feathers. After a 15 second rest, flush them and set them down about three feet apart. Now, here is the important part: when the cocks break, catch them immediately. Then without rest, set them down 5 feet apart, let them break and catch them. This time set them down 8 feet apart, let them break and catch them. Set them down again 8 feet apart and this time let them mix it up good. The purpose of this type of sparring is simple: the cocks will begin to score more quickly and break higher. Also, you are not giving them enough time to get tired and start ducking. If you let cocks spar until they are very tired, they will learn to duck really quickly, and this habit must be avoided.

Work
To attain maximum condition, a cock must be worked, and worked hard. Not all this work should be forced work, or hand-work-most of it should, in fact, be natural work, the kind a cock will do in a good fly pen with litter. He will scratch and fly up and down many times a day, complementing the handwork you give him. I feel that it is impossible to get a cock "muscle-bound" as some keeps would allow you to believe. It is quite possible to make a cock sore and stiff by overwork. That is why this method allows a cock to "rest up" from his conditioning program two full days before his fight. This "rest" period serves several purposes. First, if the cock has sore or stiff muscles, this time allows those muscles to regain their original elasticity, yet retain the strength that has been developed. Secondly, blood sugar begins to rise with the decrease in work, beginning the pointing process. Thirdly, it allows for the glycogen content in the muscles to increase.
Some cocks will not be able to take the work of this conditioning program. That in itself should give you some idea as to whether your cocks are really quality fowl. It has been my experience that truly well bred cocks won't fold under the pressure of the work. Rather, they will rebound and thrive on such activity, eager to work.
While realizing that volumes could be written on this subject alone, I think that it is sufficiently important to touch on at least the major points. In fact, I believe that the majority of 3-1 and 4-1 derby scores that you see can be attributed to the lack of attention that most cockers pay to this chore. After all, your derby show is only as good as your worst cock. If you approach the selection of your derby show with the attitude that "Well, this cock isn't so good, but maybe I'll get lucky and meet another weak cock," then you might as well stay at home. Always select the best cocks you have to condition. Your first step in selecting is to examine the overall health of the cock. Eyes should be bright, feathers slick and oily, and he should just give off an impression of active vitality. Examine feet and legs for sores or bumbles, the breastbone for sores, and the mouth and head for blisters. Check to make sure the cock is lice-free. He should, in your judgment, be within two ounces of fighting weight. It would be difficult to take more than that off in two weeks without weakening the cock, or put more than two ounces on with a rigorous training schedule. Check for broken wing or tail feathers. Do not fight cocks with badly broken feathers. For a bent feather, where the shaft is bent but not broken, carefully straighten the shaft, and apply a small piece of tape to the feather. Usually, this will prevent further damage, at least temporarily.
If, in your opinion, the cock is in good health and near his actual fighting weight, then set him aside as a definite possibility. After you have narrowed down your selections to a workable number, weigh them, match according to weights, and spar. This is where the real selection process takes place. The good selector will be able to separate the duds from the aces, or at least the good cocks from the poor ones.
If possible, have two other people actually pit the cocks, so you can be free to observe. Watch how the cocks move, where they are aiming their licks, how accurate they are. Are they well balanced, do they land-.in position to hit again, do they have to have a bill-hold to hit, do they duck, are their licks delivered with snap? During the rest periods, how hard are they breathing? Is either rattling? The answers to these questions should determine your choices.
How many cocks to actually put up is a decision you must make, although this may be determined by the number of your available cocks. I would personally hesitate to enter a conditioning program without at least two cocks more than were needed. For example, for a 5-cock derby, I would put up seven or eight. If you put in two hard weeks of work on a show of cocks, it is heartbreaking to have one of your cocks come down with a cold the day before the derby and have to miss it. Remember Murphy's Law: if anything can go wrong, it will, and at the worst possible moment! So, be prepared. I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. About three years ago I had up six stags for a 5 stag derby. The morning before the derby I went to load my stags, and lo and behold, one stag was beat up, slip-bill and bloody, and one other was missing! After much head scratching, I finally-figured it out. What happened was this: the evening before the derby, one stag had gotten out of his holding stall probably I hadn't latched it securely and immediately began to fight with the closest stag through the door. When darkness fell, the stag that was loose had stopped fighting and wandered outside (the door of the cockhouse was open for ventilation), into the woods-where he either died or was eaten by varmints. To make a long story short, determined to fight in the derby, I picked a stag off a string walk, loaded up and left. Know what happened? You guessed it. I won four and lost one the substitute! I still tied for the derby, but that one fight cost me about ,000 in prize money. So don't let it happen to you put up enough cocks to make up for these emergencies.

Drugs and Supplements
Most knowledgeable cockers will admit that there are many drugs and additives that can increase the performance level of your fowl IF, and this is the big if you know how to select the correct drug, administer the proper dosage, and give it at the proper time. A "drug", whether you realize it or not, can be simply defined as any substance that can alter any one of the thousands of chemical actions that take place in the body. Alcohol is a drug. So is aspirin. Since the use of drugs during the conditioning process requires so much knowledge and experience in dosage, timing and the effects of the drugs themselves I can only recommend the use of two drugs for the average cocker. These two drugs are testosterone (male hormone) and vitamin B-12. All the successful cockers I know use one or both of these, whether they will admit it or not.
Testosterone, used in moderate and sensible doses, will help activate the pointing process by stimulating certain functions of the body that relate to physical and mental development of the male sex drive. Given in prolonged, massive doses (which you should never use), it will promote the growth process, causing accelerated muscle and bone growth.
Vitamin B-12 is a good, all-around the therapeutic drug. It promotes good appetite and soothes the nervous system. You cannot overdose on B-12 because it is "water-soluble", meaning the body passes off what it cannot use. In fact, some people swear by B-12 as a sure cure for a hangover! B-12 is especially helpful in traveling cocks because it seems to calm them without any tranquilizing effect.
The use of these two drugs with this conditioning method is completely optional. If you are unsure about administering them, then by all means, don't do it. Chances are, your cocks will do just as well without them, especially if you have doubts about their usage. As you become better acquainted with this method, you may want to try them later.
If you decide to use these drugs, you must follow my directions on dosage and timing. This is very important. I believe you should never give more than ¼ cc of any drug to a cock in keep. Remember, a cock has a small body mass compared to humans, so dosages must be adjusted accordingly. Always use a small gauge needle to avoid bruising or otherwise harming the tissue of the cock. Give all injections in the breast muscle, not near a bone. The ideal needle seems to be the disposable type used by diabetics. Most drug stores carry it and you won't need a prescription to buy it. Just ask for insulin syringes. Never use one needle for two different drugs, and dispose of the syringe after three or four injections.
One cautionary note on the use of testosterone (male hormone) prolonged or often use of this drug may cause the cock to be sterile later on. You see, by injecting the male hormone, the body's natural production of testosterone may be discouraged. In other words, if you use this drug on a cock in keep more than, say, four times a year, he won't lay eggs next year, but he might not be fertile when bred to hens. So, don't use it more than a couple of times a year on any cock you intend to breed. I don't usually breed battle cocks, so I don't have that problem.
Since I don't want to promote anyone's products I won't recommend any particular supplier of testosterone or B-12. You can obtain either drug from advertisers in the gamefowl magazines or from a vet.
As I said before, there are drugs that will produce incredibly sharp cocks, if given at the proper times with the proper dosage, but if you make one error in using drugs, you will have incredibly dull cocks at fight time. So, I think if you are a beginner and/or do not have a lot of experience and knowledge, you are better off without the drugs. Remember, consistency is the key to an 80% win average, and I guarantee consistency will be easier without the use of a number of drugs.
At a later date, if the demand for such a book is sufficient, I will offer a complete guide to the use of drugs on gamefowl.

Traveling Cocks Next Stop, Sunset?
There are as many theories about transporting cocks from Point A (your cockhouse) to Point B (the pit), as there are Polish jokes. Common sense and a basic knowledge of fowl should be your guides. Gamefowl sleep from dark until dawn, (The exception being, of course, when your mother-in-law visits. Then they crow all night.) So, when you travel from Point A to Point B you want your fowl to obtain the maximum rest; in other words, to sleep through the trip if possible. The logical method, then, is to travel your cocks at night, allowing just enough traveling time to arrive at the pit when your cocks would normally be waking up at dawn. If you live within a four to six hour drive of the pit, and if that pit conducts its fights during the daytime, that's exactly what you want to do.
If you insist on traveling your cocks to a pit more than 8 hours away, you must realize that you are facing a number of problems and you are placing yourself at a distinct disadvantage with the other, closer entries. If you really want to fight at Sunset and it's 1000 miles away, my advice is:
1. Condition at the pit.
2. Fly your cocks down on a chartered plane.
3. Move to Louisiana.
If you plan to haul your cocks more than 8 hours at a stretch forget it. You are not going to compete on an equal basis with any local cocker at the pit, even if your cocks are better than his. Ever wonder why it's so tough to whip a guy on his own turf? Think about it. With the number of fine local pits in the country, it shouldn't be necessary for anyone to travel that far to enter a derby.
If you fight at night, take heart. All the other entries do, too. Personally, I don't think you gain anything by moving your cocks to the pit a day early. The fact that the cocks are in strange surroundings will nullify any advantage you achieve by hauling them at night. The best you can do is hauling them as empty as possible and hope for the best. Let me add a piece of advice here. Whenever possible, haul cocks empty or at least when their crops have been emptied. If they are traveled with feed in their crops, they will not digest this feed and it will often sour.

The Keep Feed
As was mentioned previously, the principle behind this conditioning method is "carbohydrate loading". To accomplish this, we must feed a low carbohydrate-high protein feed up until the last two days of the keep when the "loading" process begins. To "load" a cock, work will be dropped off and the cocks will be fed a high carbohydrate diet to increase the amount of glycogen in their muscles. Although this all sounds complicated, it really isn't as you'll see when we' get into the feed and work.
The whole point of a keep is to put as much feed through a cock as possible without increasing his weight. We want to avoid upsetting the fowl's digestion at all cost, so we will only feed natural feed during the keep feed that is a regular part of a chicken's diet or feed specifically formulated for a chicken. To insure proper digestion, a fowl must have good, hard grit to help grind his feed'. Granite grit, not oyster shell, must be available to your cocks at all times. The best way to provide the grit is to keep o cup of it in your fly pens. You may even want to mix a handful in your cocks' feed during the first week of the keep. Make sure all your feed is both fresh and clean. Musty and dusty feed will throw your cocks off completely, if necessary, wash the feed before mixing it.
Your regular keep feed should include the following:
" Oat groats (not whole oats, they will often constipate cocks).
" Corn (hard flint corn is best).
" Racing pigeon feed (the mixed feed, not Pigeon chow).
" Laying pellets (at least 20% protein, but 30% is better).
" Chopped boiled eggs (about one-third per cock).
" Buttermilk (unsalted is the best).
" Cottage cheese (unsalted if you can get it).
To mix your feed, use a large bowl, shallow enough to stir the ingredients. Put in two parts pigeon feed, one part corn, one part oat groats and one part lay pellets. Mix well and add the correct amount of chopped hard-boiled eggs. Never feed raw eggs, the whites coat the intestinal tract and hamper digestive absorption. When this is thoroughly stirred, add enough buttermilk or cottage cheese to moisten the entire feed. Alternate between cottage cheese and buttermilk for moisture. Both are beneficial because they are high in protein and provide needed bacteria for digestion. Mix no more than one day's feed at a time and store in a refrigerator so that it will remain fresh. This is the feed you will use up until the last two days of the keep. For the last two days, you will use scratch grain (chopped corn and wheat), lightly moistened with water. Each feed, morning and evening, will consist of approximately 1 1/2 ounces of the mixture, except where noted. Remember treat all cocks as individuals. No two are alike. I can't emphasize this fact enough. This is especially true when it comes to the amounts of feed. The 11/2 ounces is merely a guide cocks should be weighed each morning and evening and feed adjusted accordingly. Weight control is something you must pay close attention to, and it is something you must learn by trial and error. It simply can't be taught. The best advice I can give you is this. Hold a cock in your hands and feel back toward the vent, between the end of the breastbone and the pelvic bones. The flesh there should be thin and firm. It should not bulge; if it does, the cock is fat. Don't hesitate to skip a feed or two if the cock doesn't show a good appetite and willingness to clean his feed cup. Don't be surprised if the cocks drop an ounce or so during the first few days of the keep. This is natural they should rebound soon and be trying to peck the bottoms out of their feed cups.
After the feed is measured into the cups, I sprinkle a little vitamin supplement over the feed mixture. You can use any number of products for this Vitapol and Headstart are two products I have used with good success. Both are available from the gamefowl journals or most good feed stores. This supplement should be used up until the last two days.

The Work
As I have stated before, there is no substitute for good, hard work in a training program. Handwork for the cocks will consist of "flys" to the board. Your work board should be approximately waist-high, lightly padded and out of view of the other cocks to keep them from being excited. To train a cock to the board, stand a couple of feet from the bench and lightly toss him to it. Rub him and repeat the process. Soon he will get the idea and will willingly fly to the board, even straining against your hands, from as far away as 8 feet. About six feet is the ideal distance to have the cock fly to the board. Just hold him under the wings, back up, and let him go. This is the work I refer to as "flys".
After cocks are hand-worked and fed each morning, place in fly pens with clean litter. Make sure fresh water is always available to the cocks while they are in the flypens. In the evenings, bring the cocks into the cockhouse, work them, and then place them in their keep stalls. It is a good idea to always allow the cocks ten minutes or so to cool off before feeding. Allow cocks ample time to drink after feeding-up until the last day.

Work and Feed Schedule

Day Actions
Day 1 - (Sunday) Morning: Spar cocks when empty, put in keep stalls. Evening: Worm and delouse. No feed today.
Day 2 - (Monday) Morning: 10 Flys Evening: 10 Flys
Day 3 - (Tuesday) Morning: 20 Flys Evening: 20 Flys
Day 4 - (Wednesday) Morning: 30 Flys Evening: 30 Flys
Day 5 - (Thursday) Morning: 40 Flys Evening: 40 Flys
Day 6 - (Friday) Morning: 50 Flys Evening: 50 Flys
Day 7 - (Saturday) Morning: 60 Flys Evening: 60 Flys
Day 8 - (Sunday) No work today. No morning feed. Spar about 10:00 a.m., then place in fly pens. No work in the evening. Regular feed. If you are using the drugs, give ¼ cc of testosterone and ¼ cc of B-12.
Day 9 - (Monday) Morning: 50 Flys Evening: 50 Flys
Day 10 - (Tuesday) Morning: 60 Flys Evening: 60 Flys
Day 11 - (Wednesday) Morning: 50 Flys Evening: 50 Flys
Day 12 - (Thursday) Thursday Morning: No work. Feed scratch grain, moistened with water for next two days. Place in fly pens. Evening: No work. Same feed as morning.
Day 13 - (Friday) Morning: No work. Take cocks out of keep stalls, handle and rub, then return and feed. Darken stalls. Evening: If cocks are to be fought Saturday feed three-quarters of the regular amount. If fight is Saturday night, feed a full feed. Give ¼ cc of B-12 and ½ cc of testosterone.
Day 14 - (Fight Day) Morning: If fight is during the day, no feed. If the fight is at night, feed three-quarters of the regular amount.
During the last two days of the keep, you must begin to regulate moisture intake to insure the proper pointing process. Watch the droppings carefully they should be moist but firm, not dry.

D-Day at the Pit
Your first chore upon arriving at the pit is to secure a cockhouse, preferably one that can be darkened completely. Clean out all stalls you intend to use and replace the old litter with fresh. After this is done, one by one put your cocks out in small (approximately 21 x 21) wire pens to stretch and empty out after their trip. Make sure the ground is swept clean under the pens. If the pit weighs in derby entries, take each cock and weigh him in before putting him in the cockhouse. To avoid searching, it is a good idea to write down the leg band number and/or weight on the door of each stall as the cock is placed in it. Completely darken the cockhouse, and avoid disturbing the cocks until it is time to heel.
If the pit allows you to weigh and record your own weights, you can gamble some. Obviously, you want your cocks to meet the smallest (lightest) cocks possible so you can "under-weigh" your cocks as much as you dare. I have known cockers that would weigh their cocks in two ounces light, hoping they would lose that much between then and fight time. (I have also seen cockers have to cut every feather except wings and tail off the cock to meet weights, too). So, to be safe, record your cocks at least one-half ounce light on your sheet because the cocks will lose at least that much.

The End
The most important thing you can learn when you are conditioning cocks is that each show represents a new set of difficulties, a different series of problems. Be flexible, use your common and "chicken" sense. But remember, above all, you must have good cocks to win. There is no substitute for quality fowl or for quality care. To be in the winner's circle, you must have both. If problems arise, you can email me and I will do my best to answer your questions.
-Don Blansett

common symptoms of game fowls

Symptoms That Occur Through The Body

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Emaciation...

Off-feed; nutritional deficiencies; lymphoid leukosis; enteritis; gizzard impaction; tuberculosis; unknown

Stunted, uneven growth....

Gizzard impaction; bluecomb disease; alfatoxin poisoning; synovitis; contaminated hatching egg

Swellings...

Ruptured air sac; edema

Twitching, muscular spasm...

Botulism; infectious bursal disease

Trembling...

Epidemic tremors; encephalitis (brain damage)

Paralysis...

Botulism; Marek's disease; arthritis; aflatoxin poisoning; epidemic tremor

Dehydration...

Acute lack of water; coccidiosis; infectious bursal disease; nutritional imbalance-dietary salts

Nervousness...

Hysteria; drug intoxication; Newcastle; fungus infection

Lying on breast, legs paralyzed...

Algae poisoning; acute lack of water; yellow jasmine poisoning; botulism;drug toxicity

Symptoms Occurring Through The Feathers

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Moist under wing...

Infectious coryza

Loss of...

Molting

Deposits at base of shafts...

Lice or mite eggs

Soiled hackle feathers...

Infectious coryza, eye infection

Feathers picked...

Lice; nutritional deficiency-methionine; birds not debeaked

Depigmented...

Nutritional deficiencies-lysine, iron or folic acid

Broken on upper thigh...

Self picking

Feather eating...

Nutritional deficiency-methionine

Symptoms That Occur Through The Skin

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Pigmentation excessive ...

Poor production; high pigment intake

Nodules, mainly legs...

Marek's disease

Nodules over vent...

Flukes (rare)

Moist, necrotic, edematous...

Necrotic dermatitis, exudative diathesis

Darkened, purplish...

Erysipelas; fowl cholera

Crusted areas...

Erysipelas; scab; gangrenous dermatitis

Scabby hip...

Self picking, inflicted by other birds

Gangrenous, green...

Hemmorhage; arthritis; gangrenous dermatitis

Vent irritated...

Northern fowl mite; lice (occasionally)

Pale...

Anemia; nutritional deficiencies-iron, copper, or vitamin B12

Symptoms That Occur Through The Head

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Swollen, puffy...

Ruptured air sac; infectious coryza; injury; Newcastle disease

Symptoms That Occur Through The Comb

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Mottled, red and white margins...

Frozen

Eruptions, nodules...

Fowl pox

White, scaly, powdery...

Favus

Symptoms That Occur Through The Eyes

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Watery...

Infectious coryza

Blindness...

Fowl pox; aspergillosis; Arizona paracolon; paratyphoid

Watery, red, inflamed, closed...

Laryngotracheitis; ammonia burn; Newcastle disease; nutritional deficiency-vitamin A

Cataracts...

Epidemic tremor

Crusts on eye lids...

Nutritional deficiency-vitamin A; fowl pox

Pupil irregular, blindness...

Marek's disease

Blood in eye...

Hemorrhagic anemia

Large, swollen...

Mycoplasma infection

Symptoms That Occur Through The Face

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Swollen...

Infectious coryza; Newcastle disease; nutritional deficiency-vitamin A; E. coli

Darkened, purplish...

Erysipelas; fowl cholera; septicemia; injury

Nodules...

Fowl pox

Symptoms That Occur Through The Nostrils

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Discharge...

Infectious coryza; chronic respiratory disease; infectious bronchitis; influenza

Symptoms That Occur Through The Mouth

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Pustules...

Nutritional deficiency-vitamin A

Crusts at margins...

Nutritional deficiencies-pantothenic acid or biotin

Beak soft, rubbery...

Nutritional deficiencies-vitamin D or calcium-phosphorus imbalances

White coat over tongue and in mouth...

Wet form of fowl pox

Ulcers...

Mycotoxins; chemical injury

Symptoms That Occur Through The Wattles

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Swollen, bulbous...

Infectious coryza; fowl cholera

Nodules...

Fowl pox

Symptoms That Occur Through The Neck

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Paralysis (limber neck)...

Botulism; yellow jasmine poisoning

Twisting...

Newcastle disease; fowl cholera; brain infection; improper injection of Marek's vaccine

Retracted over back...

Newcastle disease; nutritional deficiency-thiamin

Retracted under breast...

Nutritional deficency-vitamin E; Newcastle disease

Scabby necrotic areas...

Improper injection of drugs; other injury

Symptoms That Occur Through The Legs

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Paralysis...

Marek's disease; botulism; heat stoke; epidemic tremor; cage layer fatigue; vitamin E deficiency; algae poisoning; yellow jasmine poisoning; acute lack of water

Rough, scaly...

Fowl pox; scaly leg mite

Bowed, weak...

Nutritional deficiency-vitamin D; osteodystrophy

Bone bends...

Nutritional deficiency-vitamin D

Joint swelling...

Infectious synovitis; paratyphoid; pullorum; zinc deficiency; staphylococcosis; tenosynovitis; arthritis

Tendon at hock displaced...

Perosis (nutritional deficiency-manganese or choline)

Stilted gait...

Tenosynovitis

Shank depigmented...

Nutritional deficiency-vitamin A; coccidiosis; any low grade slow disease (for any length of time)

Toes twisted...

Genetic

Symptoms That Occur Through The Feet

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Joints fixed...

Tenosynovitis

Swollen foot pad...

Infectious synovitis; bumblefoot

Toes curled...

Nutritional deficiency-riboflavin; genetic; management deficiency

Foot pad cracked, dermatitis...

Nutritional deficiency-biotin or pantothenic acid; management deficiency

Bird walks on toes...

Tenosynovitis

Toes twisted...

Genetic

Symptoms That Occur Through The Droppings

Symptoms

Possible Cause

Profuse...

Enteritis; excess roughage in diet

Bloody...

Cecal coccidiosis; Newcastle disease

Green...

Feed intake low; bile not diluted

Sulfur yellow...

Blackhead

Light yellow or yellowish-green...

Fowl typhoid; fowl cholera

Foamy...

Intestinal parasites (protozoa)