Japanese Quail Diseases and their Prevention
Dr. Rambabu.D, Associate Professor
Dept. of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Korutla
PV Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University
Jagtial dist – 505 326. Telangana State.
e-mail: ram_vetdoc@rediffmail.com
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According to reports, Japanese quail are more resilient to common poultry diseases. Japanese quail mortality rates are primarily the result of management problems, particularly with immature chicks. The main causes of deaths during the brooding phase (0–10 days of age) are insufficient brooder temperature, introduction of frigid air through damaged side curtains, an excessive number of chicks in one brood, unsuitable drinkers, etc. The mortality rate from day-old to market age can be lowered to 2% if proper care is taken. Japanese quails are suffering from viral and non-infectious ailments similar to those that plague chickens as a result of their intense system of mass rearing. The following are the main ailments affecting Japanese quail and the preventative measures:
- Brooder pneumonia / Quail bronchitis
Japanese quail chicks are more susceptible to the fungus aspergillosis (brooder pneumonia). It is brought on by breathing in Aspergillus fumigatus spores. Brooder pneumonia is more likely to occur when the damp litter material, particularly insufficiently dried coir pith, is utilized for brooding chicks or when the hatcher trays are infected with aspergillus spores. The affected chicks experience breathing problems, and gasping may be heard. Paralytic symptoms in chicks are possible. In the lungs and air sacs, white nodules ranging in size from a pinhead to larger may be found during the post-mortem examination. Brooder pneumonia in Japanese quail chicks is less common when dry litter is used and the chicks are received from clean hatcheries. The severity of the sickness can be reduced by giving the affected flock 0.05% CuSO4 solution in their drinking water.
- Omphalitis
Omphalitis is caused by bacterial infection, particularly E. coli, improper naval repair, inadequate yolk sac absorption, and naval inflammation. It is also referred to as “Mushy Chick Disease.” Many embryos die before hatching because the yolk is the site of infection, especially later in the incubation phase. The chicks’ abdomens are expanded as they hatch. The navels swell up and get wet. When given the right antibiotics (such Cephalaxin) in the drinking water within the first five days of life, the mortalities can be avoided or decreased. Enhancing hatchery hygiene will aid in reducing output losses and colibacillosis risk.
- Coccidiosis
The protozoan disease coccidiosis affects the intestines. The spread of coccidial diseases is aided by the confinement of quail in floor pens (Eimeria uzura, E. bateri and E. tsunodai). The signs of coccidiosis in Japanese quail include bloody droppings, ruffled feathers, hunched posture, and mortalities. The quail coccidian has a roughly seven-day life cycle. Adult quail are more resistant to the particular strain from which they recovered, but young quail are more susceptible. Recovered birds can still contract other strains. Quails raised in cages are less likely to contract coccidiosis. The prevalence of occurrence is decreased when anticoccidial medications are used appropriately in the feed of birds raised on the floor. During outbreaks, amprolium or other anticoccidial medications added to drinking water will suppress the illness.
Ulcerative Enteritis (Quail disease)
The abrupt commencement of a quickly rising death rate is a hallmark of this acute bacterial illness. All ages of quail are susceptible to Ulcerative Enteritis, which is brought on by Clostridium colinum, though young birds are particularly vulnerable. Some dying birds may not show any warning symptoms. Healthy quail frequently display the watery white droppings that are occasionally associated with the sickness; they are typically well muscled and have full crops.
Bacitracin 100 g/tonne of feed used prophylactically offers defence against infection. It’s crucial to remember that once medicine is stopped, quail are completely susceptible to infection. Since the infectious organism is in the droppings and survives virtually eternally in the litter, cage-reared birds are less impacted.
- Mycoplasmosis
Mycoplasma gallispeticum, which typically infects Japanese quail from 4 weeks of age onward, is the root cause. It is known as chronic respiratory disease because, in contrast to other respiratory illnesses, it spreads to other birds very slowly (CRD). Sneezing, coughing, and gargling sounds are signs of the disease in affected birds. Conjunctivitis and foamy exudates in the eyes are possible. The appearance of one or more air sacs as being hazy is the most significant pathological lesion. The level of ammonia in the farm affects how severe the mycoplamosis is. The disease can be controlled by adding 0.05 to 0.1 percent tylosin to drinking water for 3 to 5 days or by adding tiamutin 45 percent soluble granules to drinking water at a concentration of 0.025 percent for 3 consecutive days. Tiamutin and some medications, such as monensin, naracin, or salinomycin, are incompatible.
- Pasteurellosis
All species of birds are susceptible to fowl cholera, which is typically caused by Pasteurella multocia and manifests as a septicaemic illness with significant morbidity and fatality rates. Turkeys are typically more vulnerable than other domesticated birds. But it also affects Japanese quail. Chickens typically contract fowl cholera between the ages of 10 and 13 weeks. The emergence of pasteurellosis in quails, however, has been documented as early as 8 days of age. Acute chicken cholera symptoms include depression, ruffled feathers, mucous discharge from the mouth, diarrhoea, and respiratory discomfort. These symptoms may not appear until very late in the infection.
Treatment for avian pasteurellosis is possible with the right antibacterial substances. However, due to the presence of tiny plasmids in the bacterium, various antibiotic resistances are observed. Therefore, it is advised to choose an antimicrobial agent based on an antimicrobial sensitivity test. It is also advised to use poultry cholera vaccinations to prevent pasteurellosis in Japanese quail farms.
- Newcastle Disease
Newcastle disease, which typically affects poultry, ducks, and turkeys, is brought on by the avian paramyxo virus. Although Japanese quails have some resistance to NDV infection, they are nevertheless susceptible to infection in high-stress situations. According to a study on the incidence of Newcastle disease in Japanese quail raised close to chicken farms, quail sensitivity to NDV infection was lower than that of chickens. Additionally, they stated that quails are crucial in the epidemiology of ND and its transmission to hens, which results in significant monetary losses. It provides information that can be used to create novel vaccination protocols for quail use, which will protect birds from sickness and infection as well as prevent virus shedding and transmission to other birds.
Conclusion
Due to their rapid development rates and/or higher egg output, Japanese quails raised in intensive systems are subjected to the same production stress as chickens. Stress affects these birds’ immune systems, which makes it more likely that they may contract several chicken diseases. Despite the fact that using the right antimicrobials or vaccinations can control a number of infectious diseases, the controlling method also increases production costs and causes production losses. Strict biosecurity measures can help keep infections out of the farm and under control by preventing their entry.
Reference:
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Everlon Cid Rigobelo, Patrick Joseph Blackall, Renato Pariz Maluta and Fernando Antonio de Avila, 2013. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Pasteurella multocida isolated from chickens and Japanese quails in Brazil. Brazilian J. Microbiol., 44 (1): 161-164.
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