Inferior feed quality or contaminated feed can only result into poor intestinal gut development. [Jacinta Mutura, Standard]
The poultry industry in the last 10 years has scaled the heights of rapid development and expansion, despite the high input costs.
Growing from a fragile, local, and disjointed industry into a largely integrated and fast-growing commercial enterprise with foreign-funded joint ventures is unprecedented.
But as we focus on new solutions and technologies to expand cheap sources of protein to address the perennial food shortage, we cannot forget the threat of bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases.
As our animal scientists and health experts offer solutions in form of scientific publications and recommendations, it would be prudent to identify some of the ten low-lying fruits on how a farmer in a remote village can protect their flock.
Enter biosecurity measures. This is a means of protecting our flocks from the risks posed by organisms through exclusion, eradication, and control. Here are 10 biosecurity tips for our farmers.
1. Clean and disinfect your flock pen before chicks’ arrival
‘Good health’ is the attainable birthright of all animals. Endeavour to create the cleanest possible environment for housing of our chickens and their progeny.
This should be attained by thoroughly washing the units with plenty of water and detergent (multipurpose soap) and finally spraying with appropriate disinfectant (TH4, BIMACIDE, VIRUKILL).
It is a fact that flocks raised in freshly constructed units rarely face health challenges. This is because the units have never been in contact with any bird feacal material, the main source of infections.
2. No entry into the chicken pen without owner’s permission
Keep the chance of pathogens gaining access or entrance of the chicken compound and pen at a bare minimum, by installing barriers like fencing and use of padlocks on gates and access doors all the time.
Keep away non-essential visitors from your flock units, and if they must come, then they should disinfect their feet in a bath of disinfectant and wear protective boots and coveralls.
3. Always provide clean drinking water
Water is the single most important nutrient in a poultry unit. Birds consume twice the amount of water to feed intake. Wholesome water that is clean, fresh, and cool should be always made accessible to the birds.
Decontaminate your water using chlorine compounds like ‘Waterguard’ all the time. If the water lines are contaminated, flush using hydrogen peroxide, or any appropriate chemical.
4. Always provide good quality feed
Inferior feed quality or contaminated feed can only result in poor intestinal gut development and total breakdown of the natural immunity of the birds.
Always provide fresh feed and follow a strict feeding programme for the type of bird and the age-based on nutrient requirements. Never give mouldy feed to the chickens, to avoid cases of aflatoxins.
5. Vaccinate your birds against local diseases
The main purpose of vaccination is to prevent losses in the event of a disease outbreak. It is not practical to recommend a specific vaccination programme for all the birds in every part of the world, but farmers can consult the local state vet to prescribe a programme that works for them.
6. Keep good quality litter or manure
The main way infectious or disease-causing agents enter and pass through a flock is through direct or indirect contact with feaces.
Ensure your manure is always dry and friable. Never allow the litter to be wet. Poor litter may result into coccidiosis and worm infestations.
7. Practice All-in All-out system
In any poultry production system, there are some specific diseases associated with specific age groups, species of birds, strains, and seasons of the year.
Do not keep two or more age groups in one site or mix different species or strains in one roof. This multiage-multistage rearing system in one site is a recipe for roll-over disease challenges.
8. Ensure good house ventilation
Ventilate the house to ensure waste gases from heating and fumigation are expelled before the chicks have arrived.
Ensure minimum ventilation is applied throughout the life of the flocks, never compromise, or sacrifice fresh air quality for heat.
9. Rest your units after every cycle
This is called downtime, a minimum period of 14-21 days after the terminal disinfection is important to kill any lingering pathogens.
10. Always keep away pests and rodents
Between flocks, it is a good practice to eliminate any rodents or pests from the previous cycle. Rodents carry many diseases that adversely affect the health of poultry.
A one-meter barrier around each house free of grass (preferably some concrete “apron”) must be maintained to prevent rodents from entering poultry houses.
[Dr Watson Messo Odwako is Head Vet at Kenchic, watsonmesso@yahoo.com]
