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Poultry Farming

How to Sustain a Disease Free Poultry Farm

July 24, 2024 No Comments

The cheapest and most-effective method of disease control is through implementing biosecurity.

Biosecurity ensures that the health and well being of your birds are protected hence improving the immunity and performance of your flock.

Biosecurity is a management practice designed to prevent entry of diseases into a farm, and limit spread. It is an essential element to a good animal husbandry process.

It is important that every poultry farmer checks if their biosecurity plans are strong enough to keep out diseases.

Infectious diseases are introduced on farms through:

1.Introducing diseased or carrier birds. (from infected parent stock, buying old birds from other farmers etc)

2.Visitors, suppliers, vets and farmers clothing, shoes and vehicles.

A VET WHO NEVER FOLLOWS BIOSECURITY GUIDELINES IS A VECTOR.

3.Poor disposal of dead birds’ carcasses, Feathers and litter

4.Contaminated drinking water provided to the birds. Contamination at the water source, in the reservoir tank or in the water pipes.

5.Rodents and wild birds. Rats move farm to farm, mites biting different birds, cats moving house to house. At one farm, a monkey fell into an open water tank, died from there and was realised when hair from its skin were seen blocking nipples !!

6.Egg transmission: setting contaminated eggs with clean eggs in one hatchery!!, diseases that are from the parent stock, etc

7.Contaminated feeds and feeding equipment.

8.Farmer’s ornamental birds and pets: keeping pigeons, geese, etc on a commercial farm of exotic birds is not allowed.

9.Airborne infections: these diseases that cause flu, cough, can be transmitted through the wind.

For an effective biosecurity plan, there are three aspects that should be considered:

A.Isolation,

B.Human traffic control and

C.Sanitation.

ISOLATION

This is done through confining the birds in a controlled environment and keeping all other animals out. This is achieved through:

• Construction of fences, putting a gate: to control traffic in and out of the farm

• Practicing all-in-all-out poultry management. Keeping birds of different age groups in one house is highly risky.

If you have to introduce any bird or birds into the farm, ensure that there is an isolation unit as far as possible from the resident birds:

These new birds should be isolated for 2-4 weeks; during this period the birds will be observed for signs of diseases and treated if any is seen, and should be vaccinated before introducing them nearer to the flocks at the farm.

A vet carrying out farm visits should not visit any other farm after visiting a sick farm!

When a vet visits, he should start with the youngest flock at the farm.

Farmers should handle the new birds last after all the others. Ensure you obtain new birds from a reliable source.

Keeping rodents and wild birds away: Rodents spread diseases into the farm through their droppings or secretions.

They are kept out through placing wire nets and avoiding spillage of feeds outside the poultry house. Also ensure there are no dams near the poultry house as this attracts water birds.

FREE FROM STRESS

Clear the surroundings of bushes and shrubs as these provide hiding areas for rodents , mosquitoes and other wild animals.

HUMAN TRAFFIC CONTROL

Humans are the biggest threat to spread of diseases. Humans transfer diseases through their clothing, shoes, hands, equipment and vehicles. Every farmer should control the number of people that come into the farm. Control movements of poultrymen out of the farm.

SANITATION

The poultry house should be kept clean to ensure that there is no spread of diseases. Chicken litter should be dry at all times as wet and dirty litter predisposes the birds to coccidiosis among other infections.

Visitors should have their cars disinfected and their shoes too at the entrance to the farm. Everyone should wash their hands with a disinfectant and wear protective clothing – a dust coat and gumboots before they enter into the poultry house.

There should be a foot-bath at the entrance of every poultry house that all visitors should dip their foot wear. With the emphasis on this foot bath, i have found out many of you here do not regularly change the disinfectant in the foot bath, and putting.

The other important way to prevent entry of diseases into the farms is through vaccinations. Vaccines aid in providing your birds with a strong immune system that is able to resist infections.

1.Never vaccinate sick birds;

Vaccines are only meant for prevention and not treatment. And every time after vaccination, give vitastress to the birds to keep them stress free, and highly productive.

2.Always keep records as this is an essential tool in ensuring good bio-security measures have been attained.

3.It is also important to note that healthy birds that are free from stress will develop an active immune system that protects them from diseases.

Multivitamins protects these birds against stress ( like stress from vaccination, debeaking, transportation, weather changes, change of feed, deworming, etc).

Stress free birds are those that are not kept in crowded environments, are fed on a balanced diet with clean drinking water, are free from fear and anxiety.

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Poultry Farming

5 Natural Growth Booster for your Broiler

July 19, 2024 1 Comment

In the course of raising broilers, the first thing that cross farmer’s mind is how to make the birds have highest weight in the shortest possible time. This is easily achievable provided that the farmer can understand all it takes. There are different factors that contribute to the bird’s weight gain. Broiler strain, health status, air, feed and water quality are some of the factors to be considered. The use of antibiotic growth booster by some farmers has been banned by NAFDAC because it causes antibiotic resistance in animals which make them unsafe for consumption.

There are organic or natural recipes that can be used as growth boosters either being added to feed, water or consumed directly. They are not only cheaper and safer but also enhance general health of broilers. Some of the organic boosters are:

1. Bitter Kola

Bitter Kola is not only full of antimicrobial effects but also an important natural growth booster for broilers to gain unexpected weight within short period. To use Bitter Kola as growth booster, it has to be sun dried and grinded into powder. You can then add 25g of the powder to 1 kg of feed.

READ ALSO: Danger of Eating Raw Egg

2. Cayenne (Hot) Pepper

Cayenne pepper is an important growth booster as it increases broiler feed intake. Hot pepper has no negative impact in the gut and organs quality of your broilers. The only thing you need to consider is the correct dosage of 1.4 – 1.6g per kilogram of feed

3. Cloves

Cloves can be used alone or in combined form with other growth boosters. Cloves are ancient and good natural recipe that can boost broilers growth. The required dosage is 0.1 – 0.2g per kilogram of feed.

4. Black Pepper

Black pepper is another growth promoter that is a good source of Vitamin B complex. They are also rich in minerals like zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and manganese. They therefore increase feed consumption in broilers. The inclusion rate is 0.25g of black pepper in 25kg of feed, that’s equivalent to 1% of black pepper.

5. Garlic

Both internal and external parasites can hinder the growth of your broilers. Garlic is a family of onions which boosts birds’ growth by boosting their immunity and producing sulphur in their body system. It can therefore kill the parasites because the sulphur produced will overpower the parasites. Just add 3 cloves of garlic to 5 litres of water or two pinches of powdered garlic in their one-time dry feeds everyday.

Note that the best type of scale to be used for accurate measurement of the recipes is digital scale. As a practising farmer, you may need to add digital scale to your instrument.

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Poultry Farming

PROLAPSE IN LAYERS – PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

July 18, 2024 1 Comment

Prolapse in laying hens is one, among the common diseases affecting laying chicken in the poultry farm that give concern to the poultry farmers or so called poultry keepers.

Prolapse vent in chickens is an avian anomaly wherein a hen’s vent or cloaca is inverted and pushed to the outside of the body. Often characterized by a collection of red tissue hanging out of the hen’s posterior, prolapse vent is easily treatable.

There are circumstances where complications can arise, and the situation can become severe, but when found and treated in the early stages, most hens make a full recovery.

Prolapse during production is usually related to poor skeleton development during rearing, even if body weight during production is at target. In future, try to achieve upper limit of target weight from 4 to 8 weeks of age.

Prolapse (pickout) is the turning inside out of the oviduct and rectal organs through the vent, to the extent of not retracting back. Its occurrence may results in death. Its discovery in time will assist in the reposition of the organs back to their normal position using the hand.

What Causes Prolapse in chicken ?

Following is a summary of conditions where prolapse related problems are most likely to occur.

1. Overweight or underweight birds: Overweight birds are more susceptible to prolapse as a result of general muscle weakness and larger eggs laying tendency. Too much deposition of fat around reproductive organs exposes birds to prolapse.

2.Unbalanced feed rations: Insufficient calcium in the diet will bring challenges with eggshell formation but can also lead to muscle tone.

3.Reproductive age of the flock of birds: Prolapse occurs likely at the peak of birds’ production and period of peak egg mass, as a result of large demand placed on the birds’ metabolism.

4.Double-yolked eggs laying: The excessive size of these eggs will stretch and possibly weaken cloacal muscles.

5. High light intensity: Under high light intensity conditions, birds are more likely to see and be attracted to the everted oviduct and thus pecking occurs and cause damage.

Apart from this, the problem of oviduct prolapse in layer originated or start from growing and development stage, when the chicken/layer pelvic gardle is not well developed at rearing stage it results in prolapse, at times if the energy level in the feed is high more than required energy in feed, which results in high carbohydrate, it will cause prolapse in layer. High Fat content in feed will result in prolapse because, the accumulation of fat in the chicken abdominal region will narrow the egg passage and in the process of birds straining to push the egg out, it will results in prolapse. Excess Minerals/vitamins should be avoided to layers except before or after vaccination as antistress.

How to Prevent Prolapse in Chickens

The key to preventing prolapse is good management; and if good management is promptly applied, the effect of prolapse will be minimized, especially when syndrome begins to appear.

Major percentage of death recorded during the incidence of pickout/prolapse as ascribed to prolapse is not true.

The death is as a result of cannibalism among pullets through picking/pecking at the slightly inverted vent of another pullet when laying, till she loses blood or when the intestines have been damaged.

The sign observed during prolapse problem is the presence of blood-streaked eggs. As stated above, careful and serious management will reduce the rate of prolapse as well as most other health problems in the flock.

Isolation of affected birds should be done if possible to prevent further damage.

Note the following:

1.Photostimulation should occur when the birds reach the weight and age recommended by the breeder.

2. Balanced feed rations are required to sustain egg production and maintain body weight at recommended levels.

3. Ensure that light intensity in the pen house is at the breeder recommended level. Look into reducing the light intensity by covering windows, or replacing bulbs with lower watt bulbs.

If the flock is laying a lot (more than 4%) double-yolked eggs, gently restrict feed intake.

4. Birds should be watched to observe vent-pecking behaviour, and isolate such from the flock.

5. Spray the prolapsed vent with medicated spray such as oxytetravet spray.

The following tips may help to reduce losses in this flock.

1. Do not exceed 16 hours light duration (better 15 hours). Also reduce light intensity (maximum 40 lux in open house, 20-30 lux in environment control house).

2. Adjust ME in feed to lower limit of recommendations.

3. Supplement Vitamin C @ 1 g/l drinking water in morning hours.

Steps 1 and 2 may slightly decrease egg produciton and egg size BUT you have to opt mortality or reduced production. Adopt these measures until 28 weeks of age.

Thereafter resume normal practices.

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Poultry Farming

12 Common Diseases of Layer Chickens: ( Causes, symptoms, and Treatment)

July 18, 2024 1 Comment

The high mortality rate in poultry has always been a nightmare to poultry farmers. And the major causes of this mortality are as a result of infections caused by several poultry diseases. These poultry diseases affect different parts of the chickens’ body causing the chicken to fall sick and in severe cases death. In the same vine, some diseases only affect some kind of poultry birds, even at a certain age.

Therefore, it is pertinent to understand these diseases, their manifestations, the types of birds they attack, what part they attack, and at what age does it occur for effective management and treatment.

Nevertheless, in this post, I have compiled 12 common diseases of layer chickens, and I have briefly outlined their causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Here are 12 common diseases of a layer you have to watch out for …

1.AVIAN INFLUENZA

Avian influenza (a respiratory infection) is known informally as avian flu or bird flu. “Bird Flu” refers to an illness caused by any of many different strains of influenza viruses that have adapted to the specific host. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is of greatest concern.
Symptoms
Sudden high mortality
Decreased feed consumption, excessive thirst
Respiratory distress (coughing, sneezing)
Depression and ruffled feathers
A sudden drop in egg production
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian immediately
There is no treatment
This is a reportable disease and strict biosecurity protocols must be followed

2.CAGE FATIGUE (Calcium Depletion)

Cage Fatigue results from the depletion of calcium from the bones and starts as soon as egg production begins. Its progress is minimized when birds have the correct balance of calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D. High egg production, low feed intake, disease or other stresses can lead to sudden bone loss, especially in less aggressive birds in the flock. Affected hens become unable to stand in the cages and the birds will typically die from dehydration or suffocation when their rib cage collapses.
Symptoms
Increased mortality
Birds down in cages
Keel bone soft and pliable
Drop-in egg production
Treatment
Add Vitamin D3 to the water for 3 – 5 days
Consult your veterinarian immediately
Add additional large particle calcium
Check daily feed consumption (as it often decreases) and adjust the feed density accordingly
Consider implementing a midnight feeding
Consider stacked feedings

3.Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is caused by a unicellular parasite, coccidiosis does not usually affect layers in cages. However, there have been more diagnoses of this problem over the last few years

Symptoms
Mortality increase from 22 to 24 weeks of age
Mortality often starts in one row or level
Evidence of bloody droppings
Egg production can be affected
Increased mortality
Birds going out of production, but not showing signs of any sickness
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian immediately. A veterinarian diagnosis is essential as treatment can vary from doing nothing in mild cases to adding products in both feed and water in severe cases.

4.Fatty Liver (Haemorrhagic ) Syndrome

This is a metabolic disease that occurs when excess fat is deposited in the liver of affected hens. This causes the
liver to become soft and more susceptible to damage. Affected die suddenly when the liver ruptures, resulting in massive internal hemorrhage. The dead birds are often larger, healthy birds with high production
Symptoms
Increased mortality
Birds going out of production, but not showing signs of any sickness
Treatment:
Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Add fatty liver pack to feed order for three weeks. This is a diet supplement, and although not always successful, can help birds in some cases.
Also, read 8 Beginner’s guide in poultry farming in Nigeria you must follow If you want to be successful

5.Fcal Duodenum (necrosis (FDN))

This intestinal disease typically appears in flocks in early lay, with the only visible sign being the production of smaller eggs. The cause of this disease is not well understood.
Symptoms
Small eggs
A slight decrease in production
Potential failure to peak
Pale combs
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian immediately
Extended in-feed administration of antibiotics until production and egg size have returned to normal

READ ALSO: Danger of Eating Raw Egg

6.Infectious Bronchitis

Infectious bronchitis is caused by a virus and is generally well controlled by vaccination during the pullet growing phase. However, the virus is unstable and tends to mutate into new forms against which the vaccines may be less effective. This disease does not typically cause mortality in the flock, however, it can impair growth and do permanent damage to the reproductive organs in the pullet phase and it causes a drastic drop in production in the laying phase.
Symptoms
Sudden rise in mortality, which persists for weeks or months
Decrease in flock uniformity caused by an inability of affected birds to reach feed and water due to some degree of paralysis
Delayed feathering
Flat sided egg
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian immediately
Take blood samples immediately, as well as 18 – 21 days after that to determine if the flock is recovering
Adjust calcium intake to coincide with drop-in feed intake

7. Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)

ILT is caused by a virus and most outbreaks are traced back to transmission by contaminated people or equipment. The incubation period varies from 4 to 12 days. Birds are usually vaccinated for ILT with an eye-drop vaccine and control of this disease has been very good.
Symptoms
Respiratory distress, which results from blockage of the trachea
Depression
Extreme difficulty breathing, leading to death from suffocation
Drop-in egg production in laying hens
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian
Vaccinating the flock as soon as a diagnosis is made may help as this is a slower moving disease.

8.Marek Disease

Marek’s Disease is caused by a virus and is usually controlled by vaccination of day-old chicks at the hatchery. Occasional outbreaks occur when the vaccine either fails or is improperly administered, or when a particularly hostile virus infects the flock.
Symptoms
Mortality increase from 22 to 24 weeks of age
Mortality often starts in one row or level
Evidence of bloody droppings
Egg production can be affected
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian immediately as a professional diagnosis must be obtains
No effective treatment, however steps can be taken to eliminate the virus from the premises before the placement of the next flock

9.Newcastle Disease

ND is caused by a virus and this virus has many strains (mild, medium, and virulent or strong). Transmission is usually from spreading infected manure or nasal discharge, between farms by people or equipment, wild birds, or wind. The incubation period is usually between 3 to 6 days. Birds are usually vaccinated in the pullet barn and control of this disease has been very good.
Symptoms
Respiratory distress (gasping, coughing)
Decreased feed intake
Nervous signs, such as twisted necks
Decreased egg production
Treatment
There is no treatment for ND. Vaccinate your DOC appropriately

10. Northern Fowl Mite

Fowl mites are regarded as the primary and most serious parasite in poultry. They are common on wild birds and rodents. Can lead to a major infestation of commercial poultry operations. The entire life cycle is spent on the host where it feeds on blood and causes major irritations.
Prevention is key and all measures must be taken to ensure no wild birds or rodents can enter the barn and clean up any spilled feed that may attract insects and rodents.
Symptoms
Reduced feed intake
Weight loss
Pale comb
Decreased egg production
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian
Treatment options are
very limited during the life of the flock

11.Parasites/ Worms

Hens become infected with worms by picking up worm eggs from litter, soil, or droppings. Once infected, worms harm the hen’s intestines. There are three main types of worms found in laying hens
Roundworms: large, very. White and up to 5 cm in length.
Hairworms: Smaller worms. They can cause major damage, even with moderate infestations.
Cecal worms: Fairly harmless worms – can host another parasite called Histomonoas meleagridis (cause of Blackhead Disease)
Symptoms
Decreased shell quality
• Decreased yolk color
• Drop in egg size and production
• Decreased body weight gains
• Stunted or uneven birds
• Increased vent pecking
Treatment
Good sanitation will help control an outbreak
• If hens have access to outside, good drainage and rotation are required.

READ ALSO: Cannibalism in Poultry

12. Vent Trauma/ Prolapse

This condition may be caused by over-crowding and high temperature and is often exacerbated by calcium insufficiency.
Symptoms
Increased mortality
Bloody eggs
Drop-in production
Treatment
Consult with your veterinarian for possible management solutions if the percentage becomes abnormally high.
Slowly decrease light intensity or install red sleeves over fluorescent tubes

Poultry Diseases That Affect Humans

July 17, 2024 1 Comment

The first step to Protecting yourself and your family from poultry diseases that affect humans start with having the knowledge of the zoonotic disease.

Zoonotic diseases which is also called Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to human.

Poultry farming is one of the most lucrative, most popular farming business ventures. It is capable of providing an alternative source of income.

So many would-be farmers or already established farmers that are very excited about poultry farming are not even aware of the fact that their feathered friends or business partners (chickens ducks, guinea fowl, geese, etc).

Even infected egg can also be a source of transmitting infectious poultry diseases that affect humans. These could be life-threatening if prompt action is not taken.

THE FOLLOWING INFECTIOUS POULTRY DISEASES THAT AFFECT HUMANS CAN BE TRANSMITTED FROM POULTRY TO HUMANS IF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN:

1. SALMONELLA, A POULTRY DISEASE THAT AFFECTS HUMANS.

It is a common bacterial infection that can be found in poultry birds like (chicken, duck, geese, etc.). Humans can get infected if proper care is not taking in handling those beautiful looking birds.

You can be infected by coming in contact with their droppings.

From eating eggs that are not well cooked.

Not washing hands properly after feeding or taking care of your birds. It is expected that before eating. You wash your hands with a sanitizer or good toilet soup so as not to be infected with salmonella.

It can cause an infected person to suffer from fever, vomiting, diarrhea. And abdominal cramps lasting for several days.

Hardly you find a farm that has no history of salmonella infection. Though if proper medical attention is given.

It is not a life-threatening poultry disease that affects humans. But cases of death have been reported in some quarters where it is treated with levity.

2.RESPIRATORY HAZARDS

As a poultry farmer, you could be exposed to a whole lot of respiratory hazards. As a result of many activities that go on in your farm as follows:

Laying down beddings as in the case of deep litter system.

When removing builds up litter either to be transported to the farm or selling it out to other farmers to be used as farm manure.

Routine cobweb removal in the farmhouse. And general farm cleaning especially when bringing in new flock.

Catching poultry for slaughter or sale. These could be an avenue of transmitting poultry diseases that affect humans.

During vaccination of bird’s i.e vaccination that involves wind web or subcutaneous injection that involves holding and catching.

When feeding your birds especially in a deep litter system. As a result of your birds becoming excited, they could raise some dust.

All these activities are capable of causing severe respiratory or breathing problems. Thereby transmitting poultry disease that affects humans to the farmworkers.

These could result in the following health challenged

Coughing

Shortness of breath chest tightness.

Throat discomfort etc.

Wherever poultry feeds are stored they will always attract rodents such as rats, mice that feed on chicken feed. And as a result, they, in turn, will attract other predators that feed on them (food chain).

These predators are also very harmful to both chickens and humans as well, predators such as snakes that are very venomous and life-threatening.

Emission of toxic gases like ammonia from the litter that is badly manage could pose a serious health risk to chickens and humans as well. This scenario could lead to the transmission of poultry disease that affects humans.

It is capable of weakening the immunity of chickens and their ability to resist diseases.

It can produce a choking effect on humans which is also not too good for the respiratory tract of humans.

3. AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) IS A DEVASTATING POULTRY DISEASE THAT AFFECTS HUMANS TOO

Avian influenza is a public health hazard, which is associated with urban and large scale chicken farming.

Birds can shed the organism in the saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Avian influenza is a viral infection.

It is very difficult to treat viral infections, unlike bacterial infections that can be treated with some prescription of antibiotics drugs by the doctor.

That’s the more reason why extreme care must be taken in preventing this poultry disease that affects humans.

This poultry disease that affect humans is contagious to humans through exposure to respiratory or fecal secretions. The risk of avian influenza is increasingly becoming limited. And highly restricted to those who are exposed to infected chickens.

4. CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS

Campylobacter is a bacterial poultry disease that infects humans through contacts with infected or contaminated food, meat, egg, etc. It can also be spread through the droppings of infected animals.

Unfortunately, it is often difficult to predict the risk of campylobacter from infected animals. Especially backyard poultry that can carry the bacteria without any visible sign of illness.

Contamination can occur during processing, especially in large scale industrial poultry productions. It can also be spread as earlier stated through:

Contaminated food.

Infected meat and eggs.

Droppings of infected birds or animals.

As stated earlier illness in chickens is uncommon but can also occur in humans the following symptoms are visible seen:

Nausea vomiting and fever

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea, cramping,

5. E.COLI (ESCHERICHIA COLI)

E-Coli is probably the best known of all food poisoning germs associated with poultry birds. Most strains of E.coli are harmless. Though some can make you sick.

We all have E. coli living in our intestine where it is safely contained and helping our body to break down food.

When found in the wrong place, where it is not needed then it becomes a problem and can course suffering to the infected person

Common ways humans are infected are by consuming food prepared improperly or lack of hand washing after handling or working in a chicken house.

In humans, some strains of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others can cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illnesses, and pneumonia.

As poultry farm owner you need to make deliberate efforts to safeguard the health, safety and well being of your farmworkers.

As workers on the farm, we need to fashion out ways to protect our health and life against many diseases and hazards on the farm.

THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES WILL PROTECT YOU AGAINST RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH POULTRY DISEASE THAT AFFECT HUMANS.

Wear your respiratory protective equipment such as dusk mask, helmets, air fed hood, etc.

Turn your litter once or twice a week, and add fresh litter to the existing one to form compost. To allow action of good bacteria to work on the compost. It will also reduce the incidence of built-up ammonia gas. Ammonia is very dangerous to chickens. It weakens their immune system and also courses a choking effect on humans.

And always put on your protective glasses, to protect your eyes from dust particles. And other dust particles that may be flying around and can cause injury to the eye.

Follow all safety measures laid down by your employer to protect yourself. Always put on safety equipment’s when you are on the farm. And follow strictly the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use them properly.

When cleaning your chicken coop preparing for brooding new flock of chicks. It is advisable to sprinkle water on the floors to reduce dust particles in the atmosphere. It will reduce considerably the amount of dust in the atmosphere.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM POULTRY DISEASE THAT AFFECTS HUMANS WHEN HANDLING BIRDS AND OTHER POULTRY PRODUCTS SUCH AS EGGS.

Eggs can transmit salmonella too. You are strongly advised to wash your hand with soap and water thoroughly after handling eggs to avoid been infected.

Do not allow your eggs to stay too long in their nest. Pick them as soon as your chicken lays them to avoid breakage and crack eggs. Broken and cracked eggs should be thrown away because there is the possibility that bacteria may find their way into the eggs. These can be a medium for the transmission of bacterial infection.

Do not be quick to wash eggs instead of refrigerating them. Both to maintain their freshness and slow down bacterial growth and spread.

To prevent poultry diseases that affect humans. Strive to provide a good nesting place for your laying hens. To discourage floor eggs, dirty and soiled eggs.

Avoid eating uncooked eggs it may contain salmonella bacteria that can make you sick. Eggs should always be properly cooked before eating.

Eggs should be collected frequently as soon as they are laid by the chicken. Eggs that spend too much time before collecting can get cracked and become dirty both are not good for your health. They are capable of transmitting poultry diseases that affect humans.

Wash your hands with soap after collecting eggs from the nest or cage. To avoid been infected with a bacterial infection.

OTHER GENERAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST POULTRY DISEASES THAT AFFECT HUMANS AS IT RELATES TO YOUR HEALTH.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chicken. And other poultry equipment’s especially after feeding and providing water to your chickens. Cultivate the habit of washing your hands especially before eating food.

Endeavor to used antibiotics prescribed by a qualified veterinary doctor. To avoid indiscriminate use of antibiotics that might lead to antibiotics resistance in both chickens and humans.

Damp or wet litter should always be removed and replaced immediately with dry and good litter. Especially during wet weather conditions, bacteria usually find it easier to thrive in this condition.

Eating side by side with chicken should be avoided or eating inside the chicken coop, should be avoided at all costs.

Have separate clothing for entering and doing your farm work. These will help in reducing poultry diseases that affect humans.

Efforts should be made to keep it clean at all times. Separate shoes should be provided also for entering the chicken house. And should always be kept at the farmhouse to avoid bringing bacteria back home.

Avoiding bringing children below the age of 7 into the poultry farm or those with a fragile immunity system. To avoid been infected by harmful bacteria in the chicken coop.

Compost your manure properly if you intend to use it in your garden. Turn it regularly, and add fresh litter to it. To keep it always healthy to avoid molds from forming. Molds are capable of coursing transmittable diseases to both chickens and humans.

Try as much as possible to keep away rodents especially rats from your chicken coop. And most especially where you keep your chicken feed. Studies have shown that they also transmit some poultry diseases that affect humans.

Death, decay carcasses of death poultry chickens should be properly disposed of far away from human habitation. And also far away from where poultry house is located. To avoid the incidence of bacterial related illnesses in the community.

CONCLUSION

In as much as you want to succeed in your farming venture, and you are very passionate about your flock. You have a very important obligation to keep, your health should never be taken for granted and should be guarded jealously.

You have to be alive to succeed in your farming venture, not just to be alive you have to be in good health.

All the safety precautions and health tips explained and mentioned above. Should be adhered to strictly to protect yourself from poultry diseases that affect humans.

Rodents and parasites that cause sickness should also be prevented from settling down within your farm property. And where you keep your chicken feed, they are also carriers of these diseases that can cause us a lot of pain and trouble.

Be mindful of your health whenever you feed or interact with your birds. Health is wealth and should be your priority. You have to do anything within your powers to remain healthy, never compromise your health.

Always adhere strictly to all the safety rules as it affects human health, putting in mind the health of yourself and your family.

So that happily together you can grow a healthy and successful poultry enterprise.

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Poultry Farming

Best ways to manage odours in your poultry farm

July 15, 2024 No Comments

1. Proper Ventilation:

Adequate ventilation is essential for a poultry farm to ensure the continuous exchange of indoor and outdoor air. Efficient ventilation helps disperse airborne odorous compounds, preventing their accumulation within the facility. This reduces the overall intensity of unpleasant smells and improves air quality for both the birds and workers.

2. Regular Cleaning:

Establishing a routine cleaning schedule is crucial for minimizing odors on a poultry farm. Regular removal of waste, spilled feed, and other organic materials prevents the decomposition that leads to foul smells. Thorough cleaning also reduces the presence of bacteria and pathogens, contributing to a healthier environment.

3. Biofilters:

Biofiltration systems utilize microorganisms to break down and neutralize odorous compounds present in the air. In poultry farms, biofilters can be integrated into the ventilation system. As air passes through these filters, microorganisms digest and transform odorous substances into less offensive byproducts, promoting sustainable and effective odor control.

4. Odor Absorbents:

Materials like lime or activated carbon can be strategically placed in specific areas of the poultry farm to absorb and neutralize odors. These absorbents work by capturing and chemically binding with odorous molecules, helping to mitigate the release of unpleasant smells from sources such as manure storage or processing areas.

5. Manure Management:

Proper handling and management of poultry manure are critical for odor control. Implementing practices such as composting or utilizing manure as fertilizer can reduce the formation of odorous gases during decomposition. Effective manure management not only curtails odors but also promotes sustainable waste utilization.

6. Vegetative Buffers:

Planting vegetation around the perimeter of the farm serves as a natural barrier against odors. Trees, shrubs, or other plants act as physical obstacles, helping to filter and absorb odorous compounds. This green buffer not only mitigates the impact of smells on neighboring areas but also contributes to overall environmental aesthetics.

7. Water Management:

Efficient water management is essential to control the decomposition of organic matter and minimize odors. Proper drainage systems and waste water management prevent the formation of stagnant water, which can become a source of unpleasant smells. By managing water effectively, poultry farms can reduce the potential for odor-related issues.

How to Identify Good Laying Birds

July 4, 2024 No Comments

Egg production is one of the important aspects of poultry. Hence, finding the right breed of layers is very vital. Layers are primarily kept for the purpose of producing eggs. Identifying good quality layers helps in monitoring the production of your flock and in minimizing economical risks.

Features of Good Quality Layers
Below are some of the key features to look out for when selecting good quality layers.

1. The eyes of a good layer should be large, bright and sparkling. Poor layers often have small, sleepy/dull and sunken eyes.

2. A good layer has flexible pubic bones, wide apart to allow three fingers to fit between them while those of a poor layer is rigid and narrow, hence they do not allow that amount of fingers to fit in. The essence of this wide pubic bone space is that it normally facilitates the easy passage of eggs.

3. The feathers of an active laying hen should be dirty and ragged looking, the reason being that they use much of their energy on producing eggs and so, therefore, have the tendency to play in the dirt or be followed by roosters. Most times, a hen that looks clean and perfect could be a poor layer.

ALSO READ: Best way to change from one feed to another

4. Good layers have clean-cut, strong, refined heads while poor layers have coarse, meaty/thin, blocky, weak-looking heads.

5. A good layer has an abdomen that is deep and soft while a poor layer has a hard and shallow abdomen. The space between the breast bone and the pubic bones is used to measure the depth of the abdomen.

ALSO READ: Best Ways to Avoid Mortality in Brooding

6. The vent of a good layer should be wide, oval, moist and warm. The poor laying bird will have its vent dry, small/tight, round and cold. The vent can be inspected when you pull back the tail feathers of the bird.

7. Poor layers have dark-pigmented or dull skins, earlobes and shanks, while good layers are generally bleached or bright, though sometimes it depends on when you check them. The bleaching is due to the diversion of yellow colour from the body portions into the egg yolks. The loss of colour is easily seen in yellow-skinned chicken on diets with sources of the colouring agents. This bleaching effect is less pronounced in white-skinned breeds, thus, more difficult to detect.

8. A flock of good layers would have a laying percentage of over 80 per cent, after which it would drop to 50% after moulting. This results in an average of five eggs per week. A poor laying hen’s lay is below 60%, and after moulting, they hardly go above 10%.

9. A good layer is normally alert to her surroundings and is not lazy. The chicken is active and exhibits normal behaviour like scratching litter and running around with others. On the other hand, poor layers look dull and are most of the time droopy.

10. Moulting in good layers starts late and is quite rapid while in poor layers, it starts early and is slow, making the latter appear better groomed.

When dealing with pullets otherwise known as young hens, be careful so you don’t rule them out as poor layers because of their size. Some good laying hens mature late, therefore, allowing the pullets to mature and show characteristics that suggest their laying potential. They may develop into good layers.

In general, certain features or indicators will help you do away with the unproductive part of the flock, this practice is known as culling. Ideally, culling should be a continuous exercise throughout the entire production period until the whole flock is no longer productive.
With careful observation and consideration of these characteristics, quality egg production is assured.

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Fish farming

THE 14 SECRET OF PROFITABLE FISH FARMING(must read for every fish farmers)

July 4, 2024 1 Comment

Profitable fish farming is not a game of luck, but a result of basic principles in which if followed will produce consistent result and will make you to always smile to the bank at the end of your production cycle.

If you follow the 14 secrets below then your return on catfish farming investment (ROCFI) is guaranteed.

1. Ensure you Stock Quality Fingerlings/Juveniles: Good seed, water, proper spacing and feed are the most important factors of catfish farming. No matter how good your catfish management skill is, bad seeds can frustrate your effort. DO NOT COMPROMISE PRICE OR COST FOR GOOD SEEDS.

2. Avoid Overstocking: Stocking more than the stocking density of your ponds will not increase returns on your investment but trigger unnecessary management stress. The best practice to ensure your pond is neither overstocked nor under stocked is to stock your fingerlings/juveniles in a separate pond and later count and restock in other ponds. This will make you to be sure of actual number of fishes stocked, considering the limit of stocking.

3. Feed Your Fishes Regularly: It is recommended to feed twice a day for fish under two months old. You can limit their feeding to once a day once they are grown up. Not having a regular feeding pattern is a bad feeding habit. Feeding for two weeks properly and skip feeding for one week for whatever reason is a killer of the business.

4. Don’t Compromise on Quality Feed: The use of quality feed cannot be overemphasized in catfish farming. Whether ready made feed or feed formulated yourself, basic nutritional requirement of your fishes must not be compromised. Cost should not be the only guiding principle in the choice of feed. If you are not sure of the quality of your locally pelleted feed, it is better you use ready made feed with proven quality guaranteed.

5. Stop feeding once frequent or uncontrolled mortality is discovered on your pond: Feeding fishes with health challenges can trigger increased rate of mortality, you can resume feeding once your fishes stabilize. Make sure you increase feed given to recovering fishes gradually till they reach their normal health status.

6. Overfeeding is a waste of fortune: Overfeeding will only cause water pollution and increase the cost of production, taking note when flushing or changing water is important to ascertain the amount of wasted feed, at the bottom of a pond. This can be managed by using all through floating feed and practicing spot feeding.

7. Avoid Underfeeding: This encourages cannibalism and uneven growth. Don’t forget that it is natural for a hungry fish to feed on another hungry fish. Ensure you feed your fish well.

8. Don’t Substitute Feed for Supplements: The usage of supplementary feed such as offal, poultry waste, meat waste, maggot, earthworms, blood waste, etc. are never a bad idea provided they do not cost more than normal pellets. Don’t forget that they are wastes and they should be treated as supplementary feed, not real feed. Do not reject them if you can get them free or at cheaper price. Combining the usage of normal pellet and supplementary feed will help your fish to feed on variety of diets.

9. Water management : This is one of the core aspects of catfish farming that you must master. If possible, make your pond free of pollution. A good fish is a product of good environment (water).

10. Depth of Pond: A deep pond produces good results but your pond must not be too deep A minimum of four feet and maximum of seven feet of water level is recommended for your pond. Shallow ponds produce small fishes except in a very rare situation where flow-through is in place.

11. Unnecessary Usage of Drugs: Avoid usage of drugs when your fishes are healthy, except for routine management purposes. Ensure that your fishes do not develop resistance to drugs by avoiding it when necessary.

12. Do not sell your fishes before maturity: Make sure you plan the sales of your fishes as you are stocking them. Impulse sales will not favor you as a farmer. Sell your fishes to the best customer as you deem fit.

13. Farm Security: Security of your farm is the most important aspect of your investment in catfish farming. Ensure you protect your farm from theft and flood.

14. Consult an expert if you need further clarification’s

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Poultry Farming

Best way to change from one feed to another

June 26, 2024 No Comments

Changing feed for birds most especially laying birds can cause stress, because of the difference in the feed composition and taste.

It might also lead to birds not eating well at the initial stage which will cause drop in egg production or weight.

Reasons for Changing feed for birds

Many farmers change feed for diverse reason, but the two major reason for changing feeds are

1. Farmers tend to change feed if the present feed is not giving the desired result

2. When the present feed is not readily available.

Below is the best way to change from one feed to another

Day 1: 70% Old Feeds and 30% New Feeds

Day 2: 50% Old and 50% New

Day 3: 70% New and 30% Old

Day 4: 100% New.

Use Multivitamins from day 1 to day 5

If you don’t switch gradually, birds may experience stress and discomfort which will lead to reduction in production.

Farmers are also advise not to go out of feed before sourcing for the next batch of feed to be used on farm.

Conclusion

When changing feed, performance should be considered above price.

In most cases, expensive feed with higher result will give you better profit when compared to cheap feed with lower result.

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Uncategorized

Vaccine Failure in Poultry

June 22, 2024 No Comments

Vaccines are used to prevent diseases outbreak when the flock is exposed to field diseases organisms from time to time.

When vaccine is administered to animals, it helps to produce adequate antibodies against the disease, which will prepare the immune system of the animal to easily fight the disease when expose to it.

Vaccine failure occurs when chicken do not develop adequate antibody titre level or are susceptible to a field disease outbreak following vaccine administration.

Causes of Vaccine Failure

• Stress: stress can reduce the chicken’s ability to mount an immune response, chicken should not be vaccinated during stress period or when sick.

• Handling/Administration: live vaccine may be inactivated due to improper storage, store and handle vaccine as recommended by the manufacturer, most vaccine lose their potency in warm condition.

• Poor distribution: live vaccine administered by water or sprayed may result to some chicken been missed. It is advisable to starve birds of water for some hours before giving them vaccine, this will make all of them to drink the vaccine water in the short time of introduction.

Note: vaccinated water should not stay more than an hour.

• Chicken May already be incubating the disease at the time of vaccine administration, that is why it’s necessary to vaccinate your bird at the appropriate time.

The presence of chemical like chlorine in the water used for administration of the vaccine can damage or reduce the potency of the vaccine. You can maintain the water stability by adding milk to the water

• vaccine failure may also happen when the vaccine administered did not contain the proper strain or stereotype of organism required to stimulate protective immunity. Although the vaccine is administered properly, but if the birds is exposed to different strain of the disease, the birds will break down with the disease.

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Farmers Entrance

How to Sustain a Disease Free Poultry Farm

5 Natural Growth Booster for your Broiler

PROLAPSE IN LAYERS – PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

12 Common Diseases of Layer Chickens: ( Causes, symptoms, and Treatment)

Poultry Diseases That Affect Humans

Best ways to manage odours in your poultry farm

How to Identify Good Laying Birds

THE 14 SECRET OF PROFITABLE FISH FARMING(must read for every fish farmers)

Best way to change from one feed to another

Vaccine Failure in Poultry

Sheep Farming: Wool, Meat, and Dairy Production

Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia in Goats

Importance of Fiber and Roughages in Ruminant Nutrition

Goat Farming for Meat and Milk Production

Sheep Farming: Wool, Meat, and Dairy Production

Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia in Goats