AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

I am getting my new peafowl tomorrow. Can someone please tell me if I have to vaccinate them on a regular basis and if yes against what?

Peafowl have very few health issues; however there are some you need to be aware of. The following health problems do accrue in Australia, albeit some are very rare.



Worms:
like all ground dwelling birds, Peafowl need to be wormed on a regular basis (twice a year- minimum) there are many types of worms that can be contracted by Peafowl but special consideration should be paid to Cecal & Capillaria worms, select a wormer that treats most types of worms including Cecal & Capillary. For detailed worming information see our Article "Worming Peafowl"

Coccidiosis:
This infection primarily a accurse in young Peachicks 3 – 12 weeks it is an Coccidia organism (Elmeria) Treatment and or Preventative treatment should be used such as Rofenaid or a good Sulfa treatment.

Histomoniasis:
Commonly called “Blackheads” is an Intestinal disease caused by Protozoa. Primarily Peachicks aged 6 – 14 weeks are most susceptible. The symptoms are watery, yellow (bright) coloured droppings, weakness, stooped appearance, dropped wings, weight loss. Treatment and or Preventative should be used such as Emtryl Soluble, flagy1, Copper Sulfate. Chicks should be raised on Turkey Starter for the first 6 weeks as this has additives to help prevent Blackheads. Chicks should be kept away from all adults for the first 5 months.

C.R.D:
Chronic Respiratory Disease, This is quite a common Disease in many species of Fowl, including Pheasants, Guinea Fowl, Turkeys, Ducks, Pigeons, Quail but most common in Chickens. With a great deal of keepers housing Peafowl with Chickens vets are now seeing more and more cases and this is likely to increase. C.R.D (Mycoplasmosis) is a Respirators disease that affects all ages symptoms include Nasal discharge, weeping eye & swollen, head flicking, sniffing or sneezing, poor condition, weight loss, loss of appetite, drop in egg laying. Treatment and or Preventative treatment should be used such as Batryl, Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride, Oxy B or a good sulfa treatment.

Mareks:
Is a virus that causes internal lesions in birds. Mareks is spread through airborne feather dust and is extremely contagious but not through eggs. Primarily chicks aged 5 -25 weeks are most susceptible but can appear in older birds under stress. The symptoms are slight to severe paralysis in the wings, legs, and neck, weight loss, stooped appearance, poor condition. Treatment (contact vet) one prevention is by raising chicks on Turkey Starter for the first 6 weeks as this has additives to help prevent Mareks. Chicks should be kept away from all adults for the first 5 months.

Summary: Prevention is always better than cure so develop good prevention strategy. The follow steps may help is preventing any of the above.

* Always quarantine new birds

* Always assume any new birds you purchase may have the above and implement your prevention strategy

* Wash your hands after you touch the new birds or anything in their pen.

* Sanitize your Incubator and Brooder after every use.

* Keep all Chicks under 5 months away from Adult birds

* Worm your birds regularly

* Minimize stress

Article taken from our Web Site: December 2005 (c) 1998-2007

Hope this helps, Dcw241

Thanks
Peacocks Australia

Thank you so much for all this detailed information. I will be getting 2 peacocks and 4 peahens, indian blues. I am sooo excited.

That's great Dcw241, look forward to many photos of them?



Thanks
Peacocks Australia