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Candidiasis, Moniliasis, Thrush
Thrush is caused by a fungal yeast, Candida albicans, and affects the alimentary tract of chickens, turkeys, and occasionally other birds and mammals. The yeast is usually present and takes over when poor hygiene and stress lowers the bird’s resistance. Some disinfectants are not effective against the yeast.
.The yeast will grow in dirty feeders and waterers and long term antibiotic encourages yeast infections. Isn’t contagious between birds but can be spread through the feed and water being contaminated.
Signs of infection are listlessness, poor appetite, slow growth, diarrhea, white plaque in the mouth, throat, and around the vent. It can be treated with Nysatin at the rate of 100 ppm in the feed for seven to ten days, copper sulphate at a rate of one kg per ton of feed for five days, or copper sulphate at a rate of 1 gm per liter of water for three days. This is a fungal yeast so antibiotics isn’t going to help. Good sanitation, copper sulphate at 200 gm per ton of feed fed continually or till fifteen weeks of age will ensure the disease is knocked down.
You can control the yeast by adding 5 ppm of Clorox or sodium hypochlorite, or using chlorinated tap water.