Epidemiological, experimental and diagnostic investigations into an acute paralysis syndrome of broiler chickens in Australia

Abstract

An acute paralysis syndrome (APS) of broiler chickens was first reported in 2010 in an Australian chicken meat production region. The APS was characterised by flaccid paralysis of the neck, prostration and eventually death of the affected chicken and elevated flock mortalities from 26 days of age. The purpose of the work presented in this doctoral thesis was to establish causation of the APS, risk factors for it and management strategies for controlling it.