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.