TABLE 1: COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS PART 4 KEEPING YOUR HOME FLOCK HEALTHY Health issue What is it Ammonia poisoning Ammonia is a gaseous product formed from the breakdown of chicken wastes within the environment. Ammonia accumulates when there are poor litter conditions and ventilation. Aspergillosis Fungal disease caused when the spores of Aspergillosis germinate and are inhaled causing respiratory problems in chickens. Blackhead A protozoan infection that occurs in poultry, and one that turkeys are very susceptible to. Bumblefoot Severe swelling of the foot caused by the bacteria, Staphylococcus auerus. Calcium deficiency When a bird is getting inadequate calcium intake from their diet. Coccidiosis A disease caused by the intestinal parasite, Eimeria that causes symptoms from diarrhoea to death. Birds under 14 weeks of age are most at risk. Beyond the point of lay, birds will generally have developed an immunity to coccidia. Dehydration The condition that occurs when there is a loss of body fluids usually during episodes of hot weather, diarrhoea or inappetence. 40 | THE CHOOK BOOK