Salmonella is an infection that affects human beings. It is a dreadful bacterial disease that can sometimes be transmitted to pets in your household. But can birds get salmonella?

Yes, birds can get salmonella. Salmonella is a common disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium. This infection is mainly transmitted through birds’ droppings, especially when they drop food on feeders. In addition, salmonella can spread through birds’ saliva, especially when they flock together.

This disease is usually fatal to birds, as it easily spreads from one bird to another, especially when they have a weak immune system. In most cases, wild birds are usually salmonella carriers; hence, it is important to thoroughly wash your hands immediately after you touch them to prevent spreading the infection to your tamed birds.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to fully manage the control of salmonella as the ingested food is usually normal but still infected by the tiny microbes. Therefore, preventive measures are essential in managing salmonella rather than treating the actual disease. This will help you keep your flock in good, healthy shape.

How Common Is Salmonella in Birds?

Salmonella is a very common disease in birds. Wild birds are usually salmonella carriers and can easily spread it within themselves. However, you can prevent salmonella before your birds contract the infection.

Which Birds Carry Salmonella?

Below is a list of eight birds that carry salmonella:

1. American Goldfinch.

2. Pine Siskin.

3. Acanthis flammea.

4. Evening Grosbeak.

5. Purple finch.

6. Sparrows.

7. Crows.

8. Magpies.

How Do Birds Transmit Salmonella?

The following are six ways that birds transmit salmonella:

1. Predator-Prey Relationship

Salmonella is transmitted to birds when a predator eats prey infected with the bacteria. Most wild birds are salmonella carriers; thus, once ingested, a bird can readily be infected. In this case, bacteria are fully present in the bird’s body and multiply to cause the fatal infection.

2. Infected Food and Water

Moreover, salmonella can also be transmitted through food and water, especially when birds flock together. This happens when an infected bird releases its droppings on the roosting area, where they feed, drink, and rest. The bacteria are then ingested by the body, reproducing in millions and leading to fatal diseases.

3. Poor Hygiene Standards

Hygiene is usually the key to maintaining good health in birds. Salmonella bacteria thrive well in a dirty environment, leading to birds getting the infection. This happens when birds sleep or feed in a contaminated place.

4. Weak Immune System During an Outbreak

Birds with weak immune systems are more likely to get infected by salmonella, especially during an outbreak. This is usually the case since birds’ immune systems cannot fight the bacteria, leading to the multiplication of the microbes, which causes the deadly infection.

5. Vertical Transmission

This is very common when birds are in their breeding phase. Mainly, birds lay salmonella-infected eggs that hatch into infected chicks, spreading the infection to other birds in the flock.

6. Stress

Stress can also be a cause of salmonella in birds, especially when they are flocked together in large numbers. Stress is high due to poor feeding and a lack of sleep. Therefore, avoid flocking too many birds together to reduce stress levels.  

Can Birds Get Salmonella from Bird Feeders?

Yes, birds can get salmonella from bird feeders. This happens when birds drop infected poop in their feeding area. The bacteria then move to their feeds, where birds readily ingest them, thus transmitting the infection.

Similarly, infected birds can have their saliva in the feeders, especially when birds eat together in the same feeder. This causes other birds to get the infection due to the infected saliva on their feeds. Mostly, this can happen to nestlings when adult birds give them bird crop milk through regurgitation.

What Does Salmonella Do to Birds?

Once a bird is infected with salmonella, you will be able to note the following ten signs:

1. Diarrhea, which is yellowish-green in color.

2. Fluffed-up feathers.

3. Plaque in the beaks.

4. Swollen crop.

5. Fever.

6. Vomiting.

7. Frequent scratching of their bodies.

8. Excessive thirst.

9. Weight loss.

10. Damage to organs like kidneys, liver, heart, spleen, etc.

Nonetheless, signs of salmonella in birds depend on the infection level and the immune system’s strength.

How Do You Test for Salmonella in Birds?

You can test for salmonella by examining a stool sample, as this shows the level of infection. All you have to do is isolate a bird and then take its droppings for a test by your avian vet. Sometimes, you can easily look at your birds’ signs and symptoms and get the right medication to stop the infection.

How to Treat Salmonella in Birds

Since salmonella is a bacterial infection, consider getting an antibiotic medication well-prescribed by an avian vet. Usually, tetracycline treats salmonella in birds. Nonetheless, it is best to conduct preventive measures, as this is the best policy to fight salmonella without killing birds. Occasionally, salmonella may be too severe and cannot be treated, leading birds to succumb to sepsis.

How to Prevent Salmonella in Birds

Here is how to prevent salmonella in birds:

1. Regular cleaning of feeders and waterers.

2. Vaccinating your birds to boost their immune systems

3. Avoid overflocking birds together.

4. Cleaning the bird’s houses regularly.

5. Regular changing of feeds in feeders.

6. Clean the bird baths more often.

7. Have your avian vet check up on the birds.

8. Isolating sick birds from healthy ones.  

Do Birds Recover from Salmonella?

Yes, birds recover from salmonella, especially when given the right medication immediately before it spreads further into their bodies. Also, the level of recovery will depend on the bird’s age and health system, especially the immunity system. Once treated, embark your birds on a healthy diet and a high level of hygiene to prevent reinfection.

Does Salmonella Kill Birds?

Yes, salmonella can kill birds, especially when not treated at the right time with the right medication. 

Salmonella is usually fatal to young birds since they do not have a strong immune system to fight diseases. To avoid the death of birds, consider preventive measures instead, since preventing rather than treating the infection is better.

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