Botulism in poultry; cause, symptom, and prevention

08/04/2023

04/12/2022

The cause of Botulism in chickens is the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria itself is harmless and also relatively common. Spores are found in soil, wetlands and the intestine of wild birds. However, when C. botulinum reproduces - for which it requires a warm, moist and anaerobic environment like unturned compost - it releases a deadly neurotoxin, and it is consuming this toxin that leads to poisoning. Botulism in humans is caused in the same way, but is the result of a different strain of the bacteria so usually botulism isn't transmissible between people and birds. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't still be careful!
Botulism in chickens - symptoms
Symptoms of botulism in chickens include a floppy paralysis where they lose control of their limbs. They won't be able to hold up their head, which is why the disease is also referred to as "limberneck," and their wings will droop. Sadly, botulism is usually fatal.
How do birds get botulism?
Birds get botulism when they consume food containing the neurotoxin produced by C. botulinum. It's gross, but most chickens actually get botulism from consuming dead flock mates, so removing bodies is the first thing you can do to prevent the disease. However, botulism can also come from:
Decaying meat
Decaying vegetables or plant matter (including in compost)
Stagnant or slow-moving water
Mouldy, rotten or otherwise spoiled food
Insect larvae (usually maggots) which have been feeding on contaminated food (e.g. dead birds)
Note that birds more rarely get botulism from bacteria in the caecum.
Compost Bins look very attractive for chicken scraps but can harbour dangerous bacteria levels. Fresh scraps are always best.

04/10/2022

Botulism is poisoning that results from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which exists in spoiled food. Botulism is also referred to as limberneck, bulbar paralysis, western duck sickness, and alkali disease. Fowl of any age, humans, and other animals are highly susceptible to this toxin. The turkey vulture is the only animal host known to be resistant to the disease.

Botulism is not spread from bird to bird. Birds can get botulism when they eat spoiled feed or infected carcasses or maggots that have been in infected carcasses. Botulism is common in wild ducks and is a frequent killer of waterfowl because the bacteria multiply in dead fish and decaying vegetation along shorelines.

CLINICAL SIGNS
Paralysis is the most common clinical sign, and it can appear within a few hours after poisoned food is eaten. A bird’s legs and wings become paralyzed, and then the neck becomes limp. Neck feathers become loose in the follicle and can be easily plucked. If a bird consumes a lethal amount of toxin, prostration and death can follow in 12 to 24 hours. Fowl that consume a less-than-lethal dose become dull and sleepy.

TREATMENT
When birds eat spoiled food, flush the flock with Epsom salts (1 lb. per 1000 hens) in water or wet mash. It has been reported that potassium permanganate in drinking water, in a ratio of one part potassium permanganate to 3000 parts water, can counteract botulism. Affected birds can be treated with botulism antitoxin injections, if available.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Remove spoiled feed or decaying matter, and replace any feed you suspect of having spoiled. Incinerate or bury dead birds promptly. Do not feed birds spoiled canned vegetables. Control flies.

04/10/2022

What is botulism?
The cause of Botulism in chickens is the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria itself is harmless and also relatively common. Spores are found in soil, wetlands and the intestine of wild birds. However, when C. botulinum reproduces - for which it requires a warm, moist and anaerobic environment like unturned compost - it releases a deadly neurotoxin, and it is consuming this toxin that leads to poisoning. Botulism in humans is caused in the same way, but is the result of a different strain of the bacteria so usually botulism isn't transmissible between people and birds. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't still be careful!
Botulism in chickens - symptoms
Symptoms of botulism in chickens include a floppy paralysis where they lose control of their limbs. They won't be able to hold up their head, which is why the disease is also referred to as "limberneck," and their wings will droop. Sadly, botulism is usually fatal.
How do birds get botulism?
Birds get botulism when they consume food containing the neurotoxin produced by C. botulinum. It's gross, but most chickens actually get botulism from consuming dead flock mates, so removing bodies is the first thing you can do to prevent the disease. However, botulism can also come from:
Decaying meat
Decaying vegetables or plant matter (including in compost)
Stagnant or slow-moving water
Mouldy, rotten or otherwise spoiled food
Insect larvae (usually maggots) which have been feeding on contaminated food (e.g. dead birds)
Note that birds more rarely get botulism from bacteria in the caecum.
Compost Bins look very attractive for chicken scraps but can harbour dangerous bacteria levels. Fresh scraps are always best.
Preventing botulism in chickens
Fortunately, preventing botulism is so easy that it seems like common sense. Where good coop management (like removing dead chickens from the pen) is practiced, chickens are unlikely to contract the disease. However, even chicken keepers with the best intentions can unwittingly expose their birds through silly mistakes like putting the compost bin in the chicken run or failing to pick up uneaten scraps.

To prevent botulism in chickens:

Supply clean feed and water
Immediately remove dead animals from the pen (chickens, birds, toads, mice etc.)
Provide feed (including scraps) in containers and not on the ground
Clean up uneaten scraps after an hour on hot days, or at least at the end of the day
Clean up spilled feed
Prevent access to stagnant water
Never use feed or scraps that are decaying, mouldy, rotten or spoiled
Keep your chooks out of the compost
Avoid feeding chickens meat
Don’t use maggots or insect larvae that have been feeding on decaying matter
These botulism-preventing measures will also protect your chickens from other food-bourne illnesses, keeping them healthier. This is particularly important in the warmer, wetter months when bacteria in food multiplies far more quickly.

04/10/2022

Control
Botulism is best prevented by:
removing dead birds daily
removing the source of the toxin
supplying clean feed and water
keeping birds away from stagnant or pooled water
providing feed in containers and not on the ground.
Sick birds should be isolated and provided with food and water. Supportive therapy with antibiotics and vitamins has been helpful in some cases. Birds that live through 48 hours of illness usually recover.

04/10/2022

Impacts
Botulism causing spores can remain dormant in contaminated soil for years and germinate into toxin producing bacteria when a suitable nutrient source and an anaerobic environment are available. The toxin can also be found in maggots and litter beetles that feed on infected carcasses. Botulism is usually more common in the warmer months.
Conditions that favour the growth of this organism are found in decaying carcasses, and other decaying plant and animal matter, and in stagnant pools contaminated by rotting animal or plant material. When birds eat material containing the toxin, and if the toxin's dose is high enough, the characteristic signs of botulism will occur.

04/10/2022

Clinical signs
Symptoms first start to appear 12 to 48 hours after the toxin has been ingested. Affected birds will first appear weak, drowsy and reluctant to move. The bird's head will droop, later resting it on the ground, with their eyes closed and wings drooped. They may then lapse into a coma and die. Their neck may be coiled over or lie straight on the ground due to flaccid (relaxed) paralysis. Feathers may be easily plucked.