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130 Hand-Rearing Birds

first discovered the presence of vNDV in California in both 2002 and 2018 and reported it to the
state food and agriculture department.
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is an international animal health group that
has over 160 member countries. The OIE has several objectives, including collecting data on ani-
mal diseases. It has created a list of reportable avian diseases: avian infectious bronchitis, avian
infectious laryngotracheitis, avian mycoplasmosis (M. gallisepticum), avian mycoplasmosis (M.
synoviae), duck virus hepatitis, fowl typhoid (pullorum disease), fowl cholera (Pasteurella multo-
cida), psittacosis (avian chlamydiosis), infection with avian influenza viruses, infection with influ-
enza A viruses of high pathogenicity in birds other than poultry including wild birds, infection
with exotic ND virus, infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease), and turkey rhinotracheitis (OIE
2018). Additionally, each state may have deemed additional diseases as reportable; contact the
state Department of Agriculture for additional reportable diseases.
When suspecting that birds presented may have a reportable disease, contact your veterinarian and
quarantine all birds until the authorities give more specific instructions. Time is an exceptionally
important factor in controlling disease outbreaks, and state departments of agriculture urge anyone
who suspects a reportable disease to contact them as soon as these diseases are suspected. Clinical
signs of reportable (and nonreportable) diseases are often nonspecific and may include depression,
lethargy, inappetance, decreased water intake, ruffled feathers, and decreased egg production. It is
when a disease outbreak results in dramatic, acute morbidity and/or mortality, lasts for a prolonged
period of time, and/or spreads rapidly within a flock that the authorities should be notified.

Diet Recipes and Feeding Procedures

More is known about the nutritional needs of chickens than of any other animal, including
humans. Specific dietary formulations are available for young, growing chicks; for young, growing
turkeys, pheasants, and quail; and for ducks and geese. Feed may be purchased in 25–50 lb. sacks
at any feed store. In suburban areas, some hardware stores or garden centers may sell feed in sacks
as well as by the pound. Sacks of feed are very economical and practical when several chicks are
being raised. However, when raising only one to two chicks, such large quantities of feed may grow
stale before they can be consumed and are more likely to become moldy or parasitized. In this situ-
ation, purchasing 3–4 lb. of feed at a time may be more expensive, but it will help ensure that feed
is palatable and safe for consumption. Storage of feed in dry, cool areas (e.g. garage) is recom-
mended to keep feed safe from contamination.
For very young chicks, a small handful of feed should be placed on a plastic or disposable tray
with sides no higher than 0.5 in. (1 cm). Disposable foam or cardboard trays are convenient and
may be purchased inexpensively at craft and hobby stores. Foam trays that have been used to hold
raw meat should not be used due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Egg carton tops may also
be used if the sides have been cut short. Chicks are naturally curious and peck instinctively at
objects around their toes. By placing chicks on top of the food they will become familiar with it.
They also imitate one another; if one chick learns to eat the others will follow suit. If chicks do not
seem interested in food, gently stir the feed with a finger as the chicks observe. The movement will
help stimulate them to eat. Observe that all the chicks are eating and drinking before leaving them
for any period of time. Usually by 1 week of age, chicks will be able to use a chick feeder. Introduce
a chick feeder after the first few days. Chick feeders have the advantage of being covered to keep
older chicks from scratching out feed and wasting it. As chicks grow they will learn to eat from the
feeders, and the trays should be removed.