Symptoms, Characteristics and Prevention and Treatment Methods of Aspergillosis in Silkie Chickens

Aspergillosis in silkie chickens is a fungal infectious disease caused by Aspergillus, mostly occurring during the brooding stage, with Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus being the common pathogens. The pathogen mainly spreads through contaminated litter, feed and air. After chicks inhale mold spores, lesions easily form in the lungs and air sacs, making it one of the common respiratory diseases harming chick health.

Affected chicks often show depression, ruffled feathers, reduced appetite, rapid breathing and gasping with the neck stretched out and beak open. Some diseased chickens also develop diarrhea, weight loss and other symptoms. On necropsy, yellowish-white or grayish-white caseous nodules can be seen on the lungs and air sacs, which is the typical lesion characteristic of the disease.

For prevention, the key is to manage the rearing environment well. Litter should be kept dry and clean. Moldy and deteriorated litter and feed should be removed and replaced promptly. The brooding house should be ventilated and the humidity controlled. Hatching equipment should also be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent mold growth.

For treatment, there is currently no specific drug. Diseased chickens should be isolated promptly, moldy feed should be stopped, clean litter should be replaced, and under the guidance of a veterinarian, drugs such as nystatin or copper sulfate solution may be used as auxiliary treatment. At the same time, care should be strengthened to reduce losses. Because chicks have weak resistance, daily prevention is far more important than treatment after the disease occurs.