Feed Store Training Tutorial

Chapter 2

Poultry diseases are spread through the transmission of these disease-causing agents. Diseases can be spread from sick birds to healthy birds in two ways: Directly and indirectly.

Sick chicken with head lowered

Direct transmission occurs when there is close or direct contact between a sick bird and a healthy bird. The disease causing agents can be found on the feathers of a sick bird, in its excrement or even in the tiny water droplets formed by its sneezes.

Exotic Newcastle Disease affected rooster

Healthy chicken on a patio

Indirect transmission occurs when the healthy birds come in close contact with objects contaminated by a sick bird. Examples include shoes, hands, even equipment or vehicles. For instance, if you handle your neighbor's sick birds, you can carry the disease back to your healthy birds on your clothing and hands. Diseases can even be carried to birds on your shoes by stepping on the excrement from sick birds.

Infected debris or excrement on boots can spread disease

Dirty fingernails harbor disease also

Infected debris or excrement on tires can spread disease

Sample Questions