Pig Farming

Leptospirosis in Pigs

October 26, 2024 No Comments

Leptospirosis can be a serious reproductive disease of pigs that can also cause major (non-reproductive) illness in humans.

It causes abortion, stillborn and weak piglets, and deaths soon after birth.

Vaccination is strongly recommended.

Treated, recovered animals are a source of infection.

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A strict program based on vaccination and medication will eradicate the disease.

Cause

The disease is caused by Leptospira bacteria.

Serovar Pomona causes abortions, foetal deaths, premature farrowings, stillbirths and the birth of feeble piglets, which grow poorly or do not survive. Serovar Bratislava is linked to stillbirths. It’s not certain if reproductive problems are caused by another common serovar, Hurstbridge. Serovar tarrosovi is rare in Australian pigs compared to the other 3, but as with Pomona and Hurstbridge, it presents a risk to human health.

Life cycle

Non-immune pigs become infected when bacteria enter their bodies through the mouth, nose, or eyes or through breaks in the skin.

The bacteria multiply in the kidney and are then shed in the urine at rates of up to 1 billion per litre.

Peak infection occurs in pigs 12-16 weeks old.

Affected animals

pigs

Clinical signs

Infected pigs are seldom visibly ill, and the only clear signs may be:
loss of appetite
listlessness
mild diarrhoea (scour) lasting a couple of days.

Diagnosis

Leptospirosis can only be positively diagnosed at a laboratory by identifying the bacteria in urine, aborted foetuses, newborn piglets, or in the kidneys.
High antibody levels in the blood indicate infection.
Moderately high antibody levels may be detected for a few weeks after vaccination.
Chronic leptospirosis is the major cause of kidney inflammation, which produces small, pale lesions on the kidneys. These lesions can be seen at slaughter.

Note: The presence or absence of these spots is not diagnostic, as they could have other causes and some types of leptospires do not cause kidney spots.

Infected pregnant sows to abort or produce stillborn or weak pigs that often die soon after birth.

Abortions:

generally occur in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy

may be as early as day 16 of pregnancy in susceptible pigs that have received a massive dose of bacteria.

It’s impossible to precisely predict financial losses because disease outbreaks vary considerably.

In an outbreak of a 50-sow herd, it’s realistic to expect:

10 sows to abort

5 sows to wean only 5 piglets

a total loss of about 110 piglets.

Humans

Unvaccinated carrier pigs present a serious health risk to:

piggery and abattoir staff
transport drivers.

Human infection may cause:

prolonged and severe symptoms similar to those of flu
ongoing fatigue and joint soreness
severe complications such as kidney failure.

People working with pigs should avoid pig urine and afterbirth making contact with their eyes, nose and mouth, or any open wound.

Use personal protection equipment (PPE):

when handling afterbirth, aborted foetuses and membranes
with assisted matings and artificial inseminations.

How it is spread

Usually introduced into non-infected piggeries in the urine of carrier pigs
Sometimes introduced by rodents
Cattle or horses can infect pigs housed outside if their paddocks drain into those where the pigs are kept
Outbreaks are more serious in herds with poorly drained paddocks
where sows lie in pools of urine
where sows are group housed with open drains (drying kills the bacteria).

Control

Management

To manage the disease you should:

vaccinate and medicate new stock
control rats and mice
reduce pig access to cattle or horse paddocks, or areas where paddocks may drain
avoid contact between pigs and dogs or cats
avoid open drains and communal drinking troughs to limit the spread between pens
limit mixing pigs
maintain pens to prevent bacteria entry to wounds
stop urine from pooling on pitted floors.

2. Vaccination

Vaccination is strongly advised, even in herds with no sign of the disease, as the disease can be introduced at any time.

Vaccination alone will not eliminate the organism and must be ongoing.

The vaccine is ‘killed’ so there’s no danger of farmers contracting the disease from the vaccine.

When to vaccinate

Under normal circumstances, vaccinate the breeding herd twice a year. In some circumstances weaners also need to be vaccinated

Give every animal an initial dose with a follow-up injection 4-6 weeks later

Follow-up with booster doses every 6 months to maintain immunity

Ensure that gilts receive 2 injections 4-6 weeks apart when they enter the breeding herd

Manufacturers suggest that sows should be vaccinated before farrowing. However, don’t inject sows due to farrow within a few days, and those suckling very young litters

If the disease is widespread in the growing herd, give 2 vaccinations between 8-12 weeks, followed by in-feed tetracyclines.

Vaccination dose and method

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended vaccination procedures.

Dose for breeding pigs is generally 2ml, given under the skin (subcutaneously).

Inject pigs in the neck region, close to the base of the ear. Breeding stock can be injected at any clean and convenient site. Swellings often occur at the site of injection. These will subside over a few months.

Benefits of vaccinating whole herds

Vaccinating whole herds twice a year gives satisfactory protection and has the following advantages:

easier to ensure that all breeding pigs are injected

less vaccine is wasted (at the end of a vaccination session partially used bottles should be discarded)

less time is spent vaccinating each animal when automatic or semi-automatic syringes and flexible needle extension tubes are used

breeders can be vaccinated against erysipelas, parvovirus and E. coli at the same time, with the same injection

The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – Pigs third edition CSIRO 2008 states that vaccinations or other health treatments must be administered to pigs only by persons competent in the procedure or by a person under the supervision of a competent person. Contact your veterinarian for advice.

Treatment

A single dose of streptomycin at 25mg/kg of body weight kills leptospires in most pigs. It is recommended, together with vaccination, for incoming breeders, even if they seem healthy.

A more practical and effective alternative for wider treatment is in-feed medication with tetracyclines (800g/tonne) for 10-14 days.

Poultry Farming

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY POULTRY FARMERS

October 24, 2024 No Comments

1) What causes cough and catarrh in chickens?

a) Sometimes it could be from the parents’ stock, meaning the hatchery. This is called vertical transmission, where the infection passes from the parents to the chick.

b) Overcrowding: When chickens are crowded together, they are more likely to spread diseases to each other.

c) Wet or dirty living conditions: Wet or dirty living conditions can irritate the chickens’ respiratory systems, leading to cough and catarrh.

d) Cold weather: Chickens are more likely to get sick during cold weather, especially if they are exposed to drafts or sudden changes in temperature.

e) Dirty litter: If the chickens’ litter is not changed regularly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause respiratory infections.

f) Dusty bedding can also contribute to respiratory infections

2) How can I treat my lame chicken?

To treat a lame chicken, you first need to determine the cause of the lameness. Once you know the cause, you can begin treatment. If the lameness is caused by a nutritional deficiency, you can add calcium or bone meal to the chicken’s feed. If the lameness is caused by a disease or infection, you may need to take the chicken to a veterinarian for treatment.

3) Which feed brand is the best to use in raising broilers from day old chicks to maturity?

There are many different brands of feed available for raising broilers. The best brand for you will depend on your budget, preferences and your target market.

Some brands are suitable for raising and selling of birds within six weeks, while some are suitable for 8- 10 weeks production

4) Why is my 9 days chick poo watery?

There are a number of reasons why a 9-day-old chic might have watery poo. It could be due to heat stress, poor water quality, or a bacterial infection. If you notice that your chicken’s poo is watery, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.

5) What’s the medicine for bloody poo?

Bloody poo in chickens is called coccidiosis. The most important thing is not just to give drugs, but to correct the management problems that are causing the disease. When there is blood in the stool, it is a sign that there is something wrong with the way the chickens are being kept. You need to find out the cause of the bloody poo, which is most likely due to:

a) Wet pen: If water is entering the pen or water from the drinkers is spilling on the ground, this can cause bloody poo, especially if the farmer is not observant or proactive. b) Choked-up pen: If the pen is stuffy or has no air circulation, this can also cause bloody poo. It is important to correct these problems before administering any drugs. Make sure you consult with a veterinarian to diagnose your chickens when you notice any abnormal change and prescribe treatment for them to get better.

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Poultry Farming

Marek’s Disease in Chickens

October 7, 2024 No Comments

Marek’s disease is a common disease that is not treatable in poultry. It is caused by herpes virus and associated with high mortality

Like many herpes viruses, once an animal becomes infected, it will be infected for life. Not all infected birds, however, will get sick. The percentage of clinically sick birds in a flock depends on the strain of virus (some virus strains are more virulent than others) and the breed of bird. The percentage of illness and death in a flock can be anywhere from 1% to up to 50%. The clinical disease is typically seen between 6 weeks to 24 weeks of age. But Marek’s Disease can develop in older birds as well.

HOW DO BIRDS CONTACT MAREK’S?

The virus is very contagious and spread through direct contact or by inhaling virus Laden dander (birds to birds aerosols and secretions) and indirect contact (when birds have contact with contaminated materials). The virus concentrate in feathers follicless and can also be shed in dander.

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One way that Marek’s Disease is not acquired is through the hatching egg. Even if the breeders are infected, the chicks will hatch clean if they do not come into contact with the dander.

Marek’s disease- causing virus particles can survive for months in chicken house, dust and litter for months and years even when the birds are gone.

SYMPTOMS OF MAREK’S DISEASE

Infected birds commonly present with unilateral (one sided) paralysis

Inflammation and tumors in nerves, internal organs including the heart, liberal, ovary and lung

Tumor in the liver of a MAREK’S infected bird

Affected birds die of starvation, inability to reach feed or tramplimh by other birds.
Swollen feather follicles(bumps) on the skin that can form Cristy scabs.

swollen of the feather follicles of a MAREK’S infected birds

Gray eye color and misshapen iris due to infiltration of lymphocytes in the eye

The left shows normal eye, the right show chicken eye infected with marek’s

Weight loss

HOW TO PREVENT MAREK’S DISEASE

Vaccination of day old baby chicks is the most dependable way to prevent the clinical disease. Birds must get the vaccine before they are exposed to the virus. Keep chicks from other birds until immunity has developed (minimum 2 weeks).
Only purchase birds that have been vaccinated
Maintain good sanitation and ventilation in the poultry house.
Practice good biosecurity
Observe the flock for any signs of the disease and isolate any birds that is suspected of being affected.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOURS BIRDS HAS MAREK’S DISEASE

Diagnosis of Marek’s Disease is by typical symptoms, necropsy(autopsy of dead birds) , and biopsy examination of the tissues. Most diagnostic animal labs can test for this disease in necropsy specimens.

TREATMENT OF MAREK’S DISEASE

There is no treatment available, prevention is the key; it’s best to vaccinate all birds for MAREK’S disease at one day of age or purchase pre vaccinated birds from hatcheries.

READ ALSO: Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

Common misperceptions about Marek’s Disease

Mix turkeys and chicks together to prevent Marek’s Disease so the chickens will be exposed naturally to turkey herpes virus. This is not correct! Not only will the chickens not get Marek’s Disease protection, but turkeys might be exposed to other common chicken diseases such as Mycoplasma and Blackhead.
Don’t vaccinate birds so that the survivors will become resistant. Genetic disease resistance takes decades to develop and so far, has not been successful with Marek’s Disease. If it were successful, one would think the commercial chicken genetic companies would have developed resistant chickens by now.
Only vaccinate a few birds and the vaccine will leak and protect the other chickens. This is incorrect. Every bird needs to get a full dose of vaccine before they become exposed to the actual disease-causing virus. This is the only way to achieve protection.
Don’t vaccinate birds because this vaccine is dangerous and might make the chickens ill. If careful mixing of the vaccine in a sanitary manner is not followed, the birds may get a bacterial infection. Wash hands, use a sterile needle, and avoid touching the needle with hands or any soiled object. Use only commercial vaccines. The companies making these vaccines are testing for potency and making sure the vaccine does not become contaminated with other diseases.

Unfortunately, there are only a few companies and veterinary supply outlets selling single vials of Marek’s vaccine to small flock owners. The individual vials contain 1,000 to 5,000 doses of vaccine. This vaccine arrives refrigerated with cold packs as it must never be allowed to warm up while in storage. If it arrives warm, it is no longer effective, and the seller should be called to get replacement product. The vaccine must be refrigerated until it will be used.

The other type of vaccine, which is frozen and kept in liquid nitrogen tanks, is available for hatcheries. However, this type of product is not practical for most small flock owners.

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Poultry Farming

Chronic Respiratory Disease(CRD) in Poultry

September 14, 2024 No Comments

chronic respiratory disease in chicken is caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum , the condition occurs worldwide, though in some countries this infection is now rare in commercial poultry. In others it is actually increasing because of more birds in extensive production systems that expose them more to wild birds.

In adult birds, though infection rates are high, morbidity may be minimal and mortality varies.

The route of infection is via the conjunctiva or upper respiratory tract with an incubation period of 6-10 days. Transmission may be transovarian, or by direct contact with birds, exudates, aerosols, airborne dust and feathers, and to a lesser extent fomites. Spread is slow between houses and pens suggesting that aerosols are not normally a major route of transmission. Fomites appear to a significant factor in transmission between farms. Recovered birds remain infected for life; subsequent stress may cause recurrence of disease

The infectious agent survives for only a matter of days outwith birds although prolonged survival has been reported in egg yolk and allantoic fluid, and in lyophilised material. Survival seems to be improved on hair and feathers. Intercurrent infection with respiratory viruses (IB, ND, ART), virulent E. coli, Pasteurella spp. Haemophilus, and inadequate environmental conditions are predisposing factors for clinical disease.

Signs

Coughing.
Nasal and ocular discharge.
Poor productivity.
Slow growth.
Leg problems.
Stunting.
Inappetance.
Reduced hatchability and chick viability.
Occasional encephalopathy and abnormal feathers.

Post-mortem lesions

Airsacculitis.
Pericarditis.
Perihepatitis (especially with secondary E. coli infection).
Catarrhal inflammation of nasal passages, sinuses, trachea and bronchi.
Occasionally arthritis, tenosynovitis and salpingitis in chickens.

READ ALSO: Factors that Influence Egg Size

Diagnosis

Lesions
Isolation and identification of organism, demonstration of specific DNA (commercial PCR kit available). Culture requires inoculation in mycoplasma-free embryos or, more commonly in Mycoplasma Broth followed by plating out on Mycoplasma Agar. Suspect colonies may be identified by immuno-flourescence.
Serology: serum agglutination is the standard screening test, suspect reactions are examined further by heat inactivation and/or dilution. Elisa is accepted as the primary screening test in some countries. HI may be used, generally as a confirmatory test. Suspect flocks should be re-sampled after 2-3 weeks. Some inactivated vaccines for other diseases induce ‘false positives’ in serological testing for 3-8 weeks. PCR is possible if it is urgent to determine the flock status.

Differentiate from Infectious Coryza, Aspergillosis, viral respiratory diseases, vitamin A deficiency, other Mycoplasma infections such as M. synoviae and M. meleagridis (turkeys).

Treatment

Tilmicosin
Tylosin
Spiramycin
Tetracyclines
Fluoroquinolones. Effort should be made to reduce dust and secondary infections.

Prevention

Eradication of this infection has been the central objective of official poultry health programmes in most countries, therefore M.g. infection status is important for trade in birds, hatchingeggs and chicks. These programmes are based on purchase of uninfected chicks, all-in/all-out production, biosecurity, and routine serological monitoring. In some circumstances preventative medication of known infected flocks may be of benefit.

Live attenuated or naturally mild strains are used in some countries and may be helpful in gradually displacing field strains on multi-age sites.

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Poultry Farming

Sexing of day-old chicks

September 2, 2024 1 Comment

Sexing day-old chicks can be accomplished by one of two methods:

1) vent sexing

2) feather sexing

Each method has difficulties that make it unsuitable for use by the small flock owner.

Vent sexing

This method of sexing relys on the visual identification of sex based on appearance of sexual organs.

Vent sexing of chicks at hatching has complications that make it more difficult than sex determination of most other animals. The reason is that the sexual organs of birds are located within the body and are not easily distinguishable. The copulatory organ of chickens can be identified as male or female by shape, but there are over fifteen different different shapes to consider. Therefore, few people have experience with determining the sex of birds because of the difficult nature of the process. Most of these highly trained individuals are employed by large commercial hatcheries. The training to be a chick sexer is so difficult and lengthy that the average poultry owner finds it unjustifiable.

Feather sexing

Feather sexing is based on differences in feather characteristics at hatch time.

This method of sexing is based on feather characteristics that differ between male and female chicks. The method is very easy to learn by farmers, but the feather appearances are determined by specially selected genetic traits that must be present in the chick strain. Most strains (breeds) of chickens do not have these feather sexing characteristics and feathering of both sexes appear identi cal.

The most convenient method of sexing chickens by the small flock owner is to care for the birds until they begin showing the natural secondary characteristics of their sex. In males, the combs and wattles will become larger than those on females and the head will become more angular and masculine looking. The female will remain smaller than the male and is more refined or feminine looking. In some varieties the feathers of each sex will develop a characteristic color pattern that identifies it. These varieties of birds are similar to the feather-sex strains of chickens discussed above. Sexing based on secondary sex characteristics can usually be performed after chicks attain 4 to 6 weeks of age

Other method of Sexing

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Poultry Farming

Mycoplasmosis(Watery eye ) in Poultry

September 1, 2024 No Comments

Mycoplasmosis, caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticumand or Mycoplasma synoviae, is a group of bacterial diseases that are common maladies of backyard chicken flocks.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the most common upper respiratory infection of backyard chicken flocks. The characteristic signs of naturally occurring infections are watery eyes, tracheal rales, nasal discharge, and coughing. Feed consumption is reduced, resulting in weight loss. In adult laying birds, egg production often declines to a lower level or may cease in individual birds. Infections in younger birds are often more severe than older or adult birds. In uncomplicated infections, mortality is often low or negligible. However, infections complicated by respiratory viruses such as infectious bronchitis virus or Newcastle disease virus can result in a prolonged disease course and significant mortality.

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In turkeys the disease is more severe as they are more susceptible. Clinical signs include watery eyes, severe sinusitis, respiratory distress, listlessness, reduced feed intake, and weight loss. As with chickens, infections complicated by Newcastle disease virus or Bordetella avium, result in more severe infections and an elevation in mortality.

READ ALSO: Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) frequently occurs as a subclinical upper respiratory infection. Many times, MS becomes systemic and results in infectious synovitis, an acute to chronic infection of chickens and turkeys involving the synovial membranes of joints and tendon sheaths. However, when combined with other upper respiratory pathogens, as mentioned above with MG, significant upper respiratory disease can be observed. MS and MG often occur as a combined infection with severe upper respiratory disease observed.

Diagnosis of MG and MS can be done with polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) that tests simultaneously for MG and MS. The test is conducted on tracheal and/or oropharyngeal swabs of clinically ill birds and is direct confirmation of the presence of the pathogen. A second indirect test can be performed on serum samples collected from birds that usually have been ill for a short period or have had clinical symptoms from which they have recovered. This serological test checks for antibodies to MG and a second test checks for antibodies to MS. If these tests are positive for antibodies, a presumptive diagnosis of mycoplasmosis is made.

Poultry Farming

Advantages and disadvantages of common chicken drinkers

September 1, 2024 No Comments

Bell drinker

Bell drinking fountain is a very common equipment for chicken farms, especially small-scale chicken farms. Most Bell drinkers are made of plastic, and are also very easy for chickens to drink from.

Disadvantages of Bell drinker

1. It sills water easily: Active birds like light weight birds(birds mostly used for layers) collide with the drinker while jumping around, this lead to water spillage and wet litterslitters

2. it is not easy to clean when blocked: It has to be disassembled before it can be cleaned.

Advantage of Bell Drinker

1. automatic water supply

2. strong and durable(it can withstand pecking)

Chicken nipple drinker and

Chicken nipple drinker is more common on chicken farms, most especially for those that use battery cage system of raising birds.

Advantages of Nipple Drinker

1. The rate of water contamination is reduced because it is airtight, so the infection rate can be reduced.

2. Because the chickens need to raise their heads to drink water with this drinking fountain, it is beneficial to the height and growth of the chickens.

Disadvantages of Nipple Drinker and Cup Drinker

1. It is prone to water leakage

2. Youight not be aware when it get blocked, hereby denying birds of water.

3. Not easy to clean

Chicken drinking kettle

A chicken drinking kettle type of drinking fountain is also very common. Generally, free-range chickens and ground flat-raised ground are used more. The water is stored in the pot body, and the water will automatically seep out of the outer ring. The chickens drink water around the outer ring. After the water level goes down, it will automatically flow out.

Disadvantages of chicken drinking kettle

1. It is stressful to fill

2. It can be blocked easily with litters

Advantage of Chicken Drinking kettle

1. It is cheap

2. Medication given to birds can be easily washed away

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Fish farming

Feeding Methods In Fish Farming

August 31, 2024 No Comments

The three major methods of feeding fish are;

1. Spot Feeding

2. Broadcast Feeding

3. Responsive Feeding

These are feeding methods that wield significant influence over the health and growth of the aquatic inhabitants.

Spot Feeding

Spot feeding is the feeding method that involves the strategic deployment of feed directly to targeted areas within the pond. Here, efficiency reigns supreme, as only the intended beneficiaries partake of the feast. It’s a symphony of control and accuracy, where wastage is minimized, and growth optimized.

In spot feeding, one side of the fish pond is targeted and the feed is thrown on that side and all the fish gather there for their share of the feed. Often, the stronger or active ones always get more of the feed.

Advantages of Spot Feeding

1. Reduced Feed Wastage

When you target specific areas, spot feeding minimizes the likelihood of feed being consumed by non-target organisms or sinking to the pond’s bottom, resulting in reduced wastage of feed

2. Optimized Growth

The precise control offered by spot feeding allows fish farmers to tailor feeding strategies to individual fish or specific groups, promoting optimal growth and health within the fish populate

3. Enhanced Water Quality

With less uneaten feed accumulating in the pond, spot feeding contributes to improved water quality by reducing the risk of nutrient buildup and subsequent water pollution.

Disadvantages of Spot Feeding

1. Labor Intensive

When you practice Spot feeding, it can be labor-intensive, requiring fish farmers to identify feeding hotspots within the pond and manually distribute feed to those areas

2. Technical Skill Required

Choosing and Implementing spot feeding effectively requires a certain level of technical skill and an understanding of fish behavior and feeding patterns.

3. Limited to Small Scale

While suitable for smaller ponds or operations with manageable stocking densities, spot feeding may become impractical in large-scale operations.

Broadcast Feeding

Broadcast Feeding, as the name suggests, is the method of feeding where the fish farmer throws and spreads the feed in almost all the places of the fish pond.

In this method, you don’t just throw in one corner or place but spread it to allow each fish to get its share wherever it is.

This is often suitable for large fish pond operations where it will be difficult for all the fish to gather at one corner for the spot-feeding method.

Advantages of Broadcast Feeding

1. Ease of Implementation

Practicing Broadcast feeding is straightforward and requires minimal effort to implement. This makes it suitable for larger ponds or operations with high stocking densities.

2. Time Efficiency

Since feed is spread uniformly across the entire pond surface, broadcast feeding saves time compared to the labor-intensive process of spot feeding.

3. Suitable for All Fish

Broadcast feeding caters to the natural feeding behaviors of fish, allowing all fish within the pond to access the feed, regardless of their location, size, and strength.

Disadvantages of Broadcast Feeding

1. Feed Wastage

One of the primary drawbacks of broadcast feeding is the potential for increased feed wastage, as some feed may not be consumed by the intended fish and may instead be lost to the environment.

2. Unequal Distribution

In larger ponds, ensuring uniform feed distribution across the entire surface can be challenging, leading to uneven feeding and potential disparities in fish growth.

3. Water Quality Concerns

The excess feed not consumed by fish may accumulate at the pond bottom, contributing to nutrient buildup and degraded water quality if not properly managed.

Responsive Feeding

The Responsive Feeding method may combine both spot feeding and broadcast feeding. It involves throwing fish feed into the fish pond and observing how the fish is responding, acting, and behaving towards the feed.

It does not matter whether you are using the spot feeding method or broadcast feeding method, what matters is observing how the fish respond to the feed.

Advantages of Responsive Feeding

1. Control Feeding Quantity

The responsive feeding method enables you to determine how much quantity of feed your fish want. This helps prevent over-feeding or under-feeding.

2. Avoid Fish Wastage

This Fish feeding method helps prevent over-feeding which will result in feed wastage. Because you observe how the fish respond to the feed, when they are satisfied, you can observe and stop giving them more feed.

3. Quality Water Management

Since you can control over-feeding, it means the water quality will not be jeopardized due to feed waste that may accumulate under the fish pond.

4. Detect When Something Is Wrong With The Fish

Healthy fish is characterized by a high appetite. So Responsive Feeding will tell when the fish have a high appetite and when they do not. When you observe that they are not active toward the food, it means there is something wrong with them. Therefore you can find treatment before is out of hand.

Disadvantages of the Responsive Feeding Method

1. Time Consumption

The Responsive Feeding Method consumes time since you have to stand and observe how the fish is responding to the feed while giving more. Unless just throwing some quantity and moving away, in the responsive method you need to wait to observe.

If you don’t have patience, you may choose just throw a certain quantity which many times comes with consequences.

2. Difficult Keeping Track

The Responsive Feeding Method doesn’t give the same quantity of feed every day. Each day has a unique quantity the fish consume depending on their appetite that day. Because of that, if no proper record keeping, it will be difficult to tell how much quantity they take for a day for a long time. Unless you record the quantity they consume every day to be able to keep track.

3. Unequal Distribution of Feed

When you observe while feeding, often the strong and active ones can get the feed first before the weak or small ones. Therefore, when they slow down and you think they are satisfied, sometimes that is when the weak ones can access the feed. So once you stop at that point, the weak ones will not always be able to eat and therefore not grow exponentially.

Making the Right Choice

As farmers navigate the feeding methods in their fish farming, the decision between spot feeding, broadcast feeding, and responsive feeding emerges as a pivotal juncture.

Pond size, stocking density, and management preferences all play a role in shaping this decision. It’s a delicate balance between precision and simplicity, where the right choice hinges upon a nuanced understanding of one’s unique circumstances.

Before choosing any feeding method, weigh all of them to determine the one that fits your farm and preference best.

The feeding methods selection is sometimes also influenced by the type of feed selected.

Is better to seek experts advice on the best method to feed your fish. Check out the Best Aquaculture Experts for your aquaculture journey.

Conclusion

In the vast expanse of fish farming, the choice between spot feeding, broadcast feeding, responsive feeding, or any feeding method serves as a compass guiding farmers toward efficiency and productivity.

Each method offers distinct advantages and disadvantages, each suited to different needs and circumstances.

By delving into the intricacies of these feeding techniques, farmers can chart a course toward optimized feeding practices and ensure the flourishing of their aquatic charges.

Recommendation

I recommend that you get an Automatic Feeder which is best, time, and energy saving.

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Poultry Farming

Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

August 31, 2024 2 Comments

Gangrenous dermatitis (GD) is a serious bacterial disease affecting poultry. It’s often within 24 hours. It sometimes seems to appear almost out of nowhere because suddenly you will have healthy birds and dead birds, but not many birds in between. While GD has been reported in commercial layers, turkeys, and broiler breeders, it usually occurs in fast-growing broilers between 4 and 8 weeks of age.

Other names;

Necrotic dermatitis
Avian malignant edema
Gangrenous cellulitis
Blue wing
Red leg
Wing rot

Causes Gangrenous Dermatitis

A wound to the skin is usually the initial culprit that sets a bird up for GD; followed by a secondary bacterial infection with Clostridium prefringens type A, Clostridium septicum, or Staphylococcus aureus (either alone or in combination).

Bacteria involved in the occurrence of GD are usually not able to penetrate intact skin. However, the infectious agent can be ingested if live birds peck at dead birds that have died with the disease or if the litter and feces are contaminated with large numbers of disease-causing bacteria. Milder forms of GD are usually associated with Staphylococcus aureus. When Clostridium is the cause, GD cases are generally much more severe, with higher mortality occurring much more rapidly.

For GD to occur and affect large numbers of birds, generally three things are required:

Some type of injury to the skin,
The disease organism (Clostridium or other species) present in sufficient numbers to cause disease, and
Some type of immune suppression

READ ALSO: Sudden Death Syndrome in Broiler

Treatment and Control of Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

1. Cleaning and disinfection of the pen: Total clean out and disinfection of affected pen will decreased or eliminate gangrenous dermatitis infection on farm, salting of floor has also help in recent time

2. Appropriate litter management

3. Vaccination against immunosuppressive viral disease: immunosuppressive disease such as infectious bursal disease, inclusion body hepatitis, reovirus, reticuloendotheliosis, Marek’s disease, and chick infectious anemia may set a flock up for GD. In addition, mycotoxins (particularly aflatoxin) in the feed can cause immune suppression.

4. Prevention of Trauma: Birds sunjected to stressful situations such as overcrowding, wet litter, or heat stress. Other stressors such as environmental extremes, coccidiosis, nutritional deficiencies, and management issues may also suppress the immune system and lead to GD.

5. Eliminate anything that can cause injury to birds in the pen

6. dispose dead birds immediately.

Conclusion

Prevention should be high on every farmer’s to-do list because managing an outbreak is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. Because Clostridium and other disease organisms that cause GD are everywhere in the environment, it is unlikely they can be totally eliminated. Therefore, the goal should be to keep their numbers as low as possible. By doing so, fewer birds will be exposed to disease-causing pathogens, and the ones that are exposed will not be exposed to overwhelming numbers of pathogens, decreasing their chances of becoming infected.

Farm hygiene, sound management practices, and ideal litter and house environment conditions is important to lessen the threat of gangrenous dermatitis.

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Poultry Farming

Floor Space Requirements For Broilers & Layers

August 31, 2024 No Comments

In livestock farming, floor space is very important. Spacing have a tremendous effect on the growth and general welfare of livestock. Poor performance cannot be avoided in an overcrowded pen. For laying birds (layers), the growth, laying and health performance would be greatly affected.

So a farmer or keeper needs to put the space requirements into serious consideration when planning the design and size of the pen where your flock will be kept.

The importance of spacing might not be well understood if the disadvantaged of over stocking is not well explained.

Problems of Overstocking or Overcrowding

Other problems associated with inadequate floor space for broilers includes;

Unequal feeding and deprivation of the smaller or weak chickens
Stunted or poor growth
Poor health
Poor feed conversion
Poor laying or egg production efficiency
Mortality due to heat stress
Increased cases of bullying and cannibalism
Rapid disease spread
Incessant wetness of the litter and ammonia build-up
Stuffy or smelly pen

Now, it is important to list the importance, benefits or advantages of knowing the floor spacing of chickens.

Advantages of Knowing Floor Spacing

It helps in determining the holding capacity of a particular rearing pen and avoiding overstocking or understocking
It helps to prevent space-related losses
It enhances the welfare and performance of the flock
It eases planning such as pen design plan and feeding plan

Having listed the salient points above, I will like to do mathematics and the answer to the popular question: what is the floor space requirement for broilers?

Floor Space Requirements for Broiler Chickens

The ideal floor space requirement per broiler chicken is 1-2 sqft (0.09-0.18 sqm), 1.5 sqft (0.14 sqm) on average. However, going as high as 2.5 sqft/bird (0.23 sqm/bird) is not bad, especially during the very hot seasons. Don’t forget this value is for adult birds (around 8 weeks), therefore, if you are looking at raising younger broiler chickens like 0-4 weeks old, then you can go for a lesser floor space such as 0.75 sqft/bird.

Floor Space Requirements for Layers

The ideal floor space requirement per broiler chicken is 1.7-1.9 sqft or 0.16-0.18 sqm. This is the recommended floor space for a layer chicken raised on deep-litter and above 18 weeks old.

You can also calculate the stocking density or floor space based on the live body weight of the broiler chickens.

Floor space for 1 broiler at 2.3 kg is 0.97 sqft (0.09 sqm). Therefore, for 100 broilers it is 0.97 X 100 = 97 sqft. It’s as simple as ABC.

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Farmers Entrance

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Bell drinker

Chicken nipple drinker and

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Feeding Methods In Fish Farming

Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

Other names;

Causes Gangrenous Dermatitis

Treatment and Control of Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

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Floor Space Requirements For Broilers & Layers

Prevention of Disease and Health Management in Poultry farming

Leptospirosis in Pigs

Impact Of Ammonia And Humidity On Poultry

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY POULTRY FARMERS

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