Tick what you see on your birds. The advisor ranks the most likely diseases.
Sudden death without prior signs Greenish watery diarrhoea Gasping, coughing, sneezing, rales Nervous signs: twisted neck (torticollis), paralysis, circling, tremors Layers: sudden drop in eggs, soft/misshapen shells Swollen head, cyanotic combs Sudden onset; birds huddle, ruffled feathers White watery diarrhoea, soiled vent feathers Vent-pecking, dehydration Trembling, reluctance to move Sharp mortality spike Day 3–5 of illness then decline Bloody or chocolate-brown droppings Pale combs, ruffled feathers, drooping wings Huddling, reduced feed and water intake Sudden growth check in broilers Wet caked litter under perches White, pasty vent (chicks) Sudden drop in feed intake and egg production Yellow-green diarrhoea in adults Pale, shrivelled combs; birds die within 4–5 days Lameness, joint swelling in survivors Dry form: wart-like scabs on comb, wattles, eyelids, feet
🚨 Emergency
Newcastle Disease (NCD / Kideri)
Luganda: Kawali · Swahili: Kideri
The #1 killer of village and semi-intensive flocks in Uganda. NADDEC records seasonal peaks Jun–Aug and Dec–Feb across all districts. Kienyeji flocks unvaccinated can lose 80–100% of birds in 5–10 days.
Mortality: Up to 100% in unvaccinated flocks Age: All ages; chicks and layers hit hardest
🚨 Emergency
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro / IBD)
Endemic in all Ugandan poultry zones. Peaks in the 3–6 week window. Very stable virus — survives on farms for 4+ months. Immuno-suppresses birds so vaccines for NCD & IB may fail.
Mortality: 20–60% in acute outbreaks Age: 3–6 weeks (bursa of Fabricius is most active then)
⚠ High priority
Coccidiosis
Luganda: Ekigalanga
Universal in Ugandan deep-litter systems, especially rainy seasons (Mar–May, Sep–Nov). Wet litter + warm floor = ideal oocyst sporulation. Broilers hit at week 3–5; layers hit at 6–10 weeks.
Mortality: 5–20% if treated late Age: 3–8 weeks
⚠ High priority
Fowl Typhoid & Pullorum (Salmonella gallinarum / pullorum)
Widely reported by NADDEC in adult layer flocks in Wakiso, Mukono, Mbarara. Vertical transmission via hatchery — buy only from certified pullorum-tested hatcheries.
Mortality: 10–50% in adult flocks Age: Pullorum: chicks <3 weeks; Typhoid: layers >12 weeks
👁 Watch
Fowl Pox
Luganda: Enkuyege / Amabwa
Common in dry season (Dec–Feb, Jun–Aug) when mosquitoes and biting flies peak. Spreads slowly (weeks) so mortality is low but production drops sharply.
Mortality: 1–15% Age: Growers and layers (any age unvaccinated)
⚠ High priority
Chronic Respiratory Disease (Mycoplasma gallisepticum, MG / CRD)
Very common in Ugandan layers >20 weeks, especially with dust or ammonia from wet litter. Combines with E. coli → 'complicated CRD' → egg drop 20–30%.
Mortality: 5–10% but massive economic losses via feed conversion and egg drop Age: Growers and layers
⚠ High priority
Infectious Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum)
Endemic in Central and Eastern Uganda. Once on-farm, spreads for years via carrier hens. Egg drop 10–40% for weeks.
Mortality: <20% Age: Growers and layers
⚠ High priority
Marek's Disease
Very common cause of leg paralysis in unvaccinated layer pullets in Uganda. Vaccine must be given at day-old at the hatchery — cannot be corrected on-farm.
Mortality: 10–50% in unvaccinated flocks (cumulative to end of lay) Age: 8–24 weeks
🚨 Emergency
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, Bird Flu H5N1/H5N8)
Reported in wild birds and lakeside districts (Masaka, Wakiso, Kalangala) since 2017. NOTIFIABLE — call NADDEC 0800-100-333 or DVO immediately. Zoonotic — humans can be infected.
Mortality: Up to 100% within 48 hours (HPAI) Age: All ages
👁 Watch
Internal parasites (Ascaridia, Heterakis, Tape worms)
Universal in free-range Kienyeji and deep-litter birds. Under-recognised cause of poor growth, thin-shelled eggs, and pale combs.
Mortality: <5% but 10–25% production loss Age: All ages after 6 weeks