Poultry health and disease
Poultry can be affected by a variety of diseases and parasites.
The two most serious diseases that must be kept out of poultry flocks are Newcastle disease and avian influenza. Although these two devastating diseases are not present in commercial poultry in Australia, the poultry industry is at risk from their introduction.
Other poultry diseases include coryza, chronic respiratory disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, lice and mite infestations, chlamydiosis, blackhead and internal parasites.
A strict hygiene program is required to keep diseases out of poultry. Some diseases are controlled by vaccination or medication strategies.
- Avian influenza (bird flu)
- Newcastle disease
- Poultry health - keeping diseases out
- Poultry litter/manure and BSE controls for carriers and spreaders
- Poultry producers and BSE controls
- NSW biosecurity guidelines for free range poultry farms
- Biosecurity tips for bird shows
- Duck disease control and parasites
- Disease control for geese
- Disease control, parasites, predators and cannibalism in pheasants
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Emergency and notifiable diseases in NSW
- Emergency animal diseases
can have serious consequences for trade, production or human health. Contact a vet or call the emergency animal disease watch hotline on
1800 675 888
if you see symptoms or deaths in animals that may be due to an emergency animal disease. - Notifiable animal diseases
A number of animal diseases, including all emergency animal diseases, are notifiable under NSW legislation. This means there's a legal obligation to notify authorities if you know or suspect that an animal has one of these diseases. - Notifiable animal disease form
You can use this form to notify the knowledge or suspicion of a notifiable animal disease (PDF, 44kb).
Laboratory testing services
- A range of diagnostic tests to assist vets and growers are available at the regional veterinary laboratories.
- 'Vet lab manual'
This manual is aimed at providing accessible, up-to-date information to laboratory clients to assist in the submission of diagnostic specimens.