Blackhead Disease (histomoniasis) is an important poultry disease that affects turkeys, chickens, and game birds such as partridges, pheasants, and quail. The disease is caused by the protozoa Histomonas meleagridis, tiny, single-celled organisms that are spread to the bird by the roundworm.
The lifecycle of the protozoa H. meleagridis is complex. The protozoa multiply in an infected bird’s cecum, a part of its digestive tract. They move to the bird’s intestines where the roundworm lives. The roundworm eats the protozoa, the roundworm’s eggs become infected with the protozoa and the bird sheds the protozoal-infected roundworm eggs in its droppings.
Healthy birds become infected when they eat food, invertebrates (such as earthworms), or bird droppings that are contaminated with the protozoa. Direct bird-to-bird transmission can also occur within a flock. Because poultry commonly have the roundworm in their intestines, they often are the source of the protozoal infection for other birds.
Birds with blackhead disease are usually listless and have drooping wings, unkempt feathers, and yellow droppings. Typically, the cecum and liver of an infected bird will become inflamed and develop ulcers. Young birds become sick quickly and usually die within a few days after signs appear. The disease develops more slowly in older birds and they often become emaciated and may eventually die.
Turkeys are highly susceptible to blackhead disease. Once a turkey flock has been infected, 70 to 100% of the birds may die. Blackhead disease is less severe in chickens but can lead to poor health and reduced egg production.
Historically Dimetridazole was used for prophylaxis or treatment in turkeys but it has been withdrawn from use. However, there have been good results shown using essential oils and herbal products with extracts from cinnamon, garlic, lemon, and rosemary as an effective preventive or curative treatment. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.
Management practices
Ensure paddocks are regularly rotated, particularly if turkeys are also kept on the same premises.
Turkeys should not be kept on the same paddocks as chickens. If this is not possible, turkeys should never follow chickens
Paddocks and ranges should be well-drained and in a sunny location
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