11/9/21, 7:04 PM Algae poisoning in Chickens

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Algae Poisoning
Other Names: Cyanobacteria Poisoning, Blue-green Algae Poisoning
Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins which can be deadly to chickens if ingested in large amounts. It can grow in any
stagnant water source, such as poultry waterers, water troughs, buckets, ponds, lakes, baby pools, etc. Blue-green algae is more likely to grow rapidly
when the stagnant water source is exposed to high temperatures, sunshine, and any sort of organic matter or debris.

The algae forms in large colonies that appear as scum on or just below the water source. The presence of bacteria often may be determined by a
bluish tinge to the water. Concentrations of bacteria often are bluish green but may vary from dark green to brownish green, depending on the total
bacterial population. In lakes and ponds, proliferation of blue‐green algae may result in a “bloom”, which is a build-up of algae that creates a green,
blue-green, white, or brown coloring on the surface of the water, sometimes occurring as mats or scum. It may look like a floating layer of paint.

Cyanobacteria can produce two types of toxins, microcystins and anatoxins. Microcystins (hepatotoxins) affect the liver and anatoxins (neurotoxins)
target the nervous system. The toxins enter the chicken’s body when they drink the affected water. The clinical signs of poisoning depend on which
toxin is involved.

Hepatotoxins can severely damage the liver leading to organ failure, which can occur quickly or over several days. Clinical signs of exposure to the
hepatotoxin may non-specific such as lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, and pale comb, along with diarrhea and bloody or dark droppings.

When neurotoxins are ingested, signs of poisoning occur within 30-60 minutes of ingestion and death within minutes to hours after exposure.
Since neurotoxins target the nervous system, signs such as muscle tremors, paralysis, and seizures may occur. Decreased oxygen delivery makes it
difficult for the bird to breath, and causes the chicken’s comb to change to a crimson to purple color.

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If chickens are suspected of having been exposed to blue-green algae, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately. If caught before signs occur,
administering activated charcoal orally may help absorb the toxin.
Clinical Signs
Difficulty breathing
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weakness or inability to walk
Pale or purple comb
Diarrhea with dark, tarry droppings
Seizures
Paralysis
Muscle tremors
Collapse
Sudden death
Diagnosis Treatment
Name Summary
Supportive care Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive
care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Activated charcoal 2.8 g/kg administered orally may help absorb the ingested toxins. K
(/drugs/activated- Marx
charcoal)

Support

(https://amzn.to/2Xu1lG7) (https://amzn.to/2LsNLvZ) (http://amzn.to/2DhcUTp) (https://amzn.to/2Brfqq1)

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Prevention
 ()Provide fresh water sources in clean water containers.
 ()Check all water sources at least twice a week.
 ()Position water sources in shaded areas or reduce the amount of direct sunlight which will reduce algae growth, which need sunlight to survive
and multiply.
 ()Fence off or otherwise prevent access to stagnant, scum-covered ponds.
 ()If a water source is treated with an algaecide such as copper sulfate, prevent birds from accessing the water for at least a week or longer to
allow degradation of any released toxins in the water.
 ()Purchase waterers which prevent birds from defecating in the water, such as nipple drinkers or water cups.
Prognosis Scientific References
1Cat Barr, PhD, DABT. Cyanobacteria: No winter break this year (https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/2020/03/30/cyanobacteria-no-winter-break-this-
year/) Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory - Avian Case Stories (2020)

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11/9/21, 7:04 PM Algae poisoning in Chickens

2Puschner, Birgit. Cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) toxins (https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811410-0.00057-X) eterinary Toxicology.

Academic Press (2018)
3Wood, Roslyn. Acute animal and human poisonings from cyanotoxin exposure—A review of the literature
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.02.026) Environment international 91 (2016)
4 Ana Beatriz F. Pacheco, Iame A. Guedes and Sandra M.F.O. Azevedo . Is qPCR a Reliable Indicator of Cyanotoxin Risk in Freshwater?
(http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/8/6/172) Toxins (2016)
5U.S. Geological Survey. Algal Toxins Detected in One-Third of Streams Assessed in Southeastern United States
(https://www.usgs.gov/news/algal-toxins-detected-one-third-streams-assessed-southeastern-united-states) USGS (2016)
6N Thomas, D Hunter and C Atkinson Infectious Diseases of Wild Birds. Blackwell Publishing (2007)
7Codd, G. A., Ward, C. J., & Bell, S. G.. Cyanobacterial toxins: occurrence, modes of action, health effects and exposure routes.
(http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-642-60682-3_38#page-1) Applied Toxicology: Approaches Through Basic Science (1997)
8Repavich, Wyatt M., et al. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in Wisconsin waters: acute and chronic toxicity (https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-
1354(90)90107-H) Water research 24.2 (1992)
9Falconer, I. R., Dornbusch, M., Moran, G., & Yeung, S. K.. Effect of the cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) toxins from Microcystis aeruginosa
on isolated enterocytes from the chicken small intestine (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004101019290016X) Toxicon
(1992)
10Beasley, Val Richard, et al.. Algae intoxication in livestock and waterfowl (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30980-4) Veterinary
Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 5.2 (1989)
11Beasley, Val Richard, et al.. Diagnostic and clinically important aspects of cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) toxicoses
(https://doi.org/10.1177/104063878900100417) Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 1.4 (1989)
12Gorham, P. R Laboratory studies on the toxins produced by waterblooms of blue-green algae. American Journal of Public Health and the
Nations Health (1963)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Blue-gree_algae_bloom_Lake_Erie.png)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/CSIRO_ScienceImage_4203_A_bluegreen_algae_species_Cylindrospermum_sp_unde

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/CSIRO_ScienceImage_4655_Bluegreen_algae_in_creek.jpg)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/CSIRO_ScienceImage_4628_Bluegreen_algae_in_irrigation_drain.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Cyanobacteria_027.jpg)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Cyanobacteria_029.jpg)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/CyanobacteriaLamiot2009_07_26_184.jpg)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/CyanobacteriaLamiot2009_07_26_237.jpg)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/CyanobacteriaLamiot2009_07_26_290.jpg)

Risk Factors

Stagnant water sources

Not cleaning or checking waterers regularly
Water sources positioned in direct sunlight

Seasonality

WinterSpringSummerAutumn

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