Poultry Health, Disease Prevention and Biosecurity
Disease prevention rules
Health management rests on biosecurity, vaccination, nutrition and early detection. Biosecurity means isolation, traffic control, sanitation, all-in/all-out, footbaths, clean water, rodent and wild-bird control, and safe dead-bird disposal. Vaccinate against Newcastle disease (Ranikhet), infectious bursal disease, Marek's disease, fowl pox and other locally important diseases. Handle vaccines cold, use correct dose and route, and record batch numbers.
Common conditions
Viral diseases include Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis and avian influenza; bacterial diseases include fowl cholera and CRD; protozoal disease includes coccidiosis; nutritional deficiencies cause rickets, curly toe and anaemia. Antibiotics do not cure viral infections and must be used only under veterinary advice with withdrawal periods observed.
Worked example. Three-week-old broilers show bloody droppings, ruffled feathers and reduced feed intake. Coccidiosis is likely; examine the caeca, improve litter and water hygiene, and use an approved coccidiostat or anticoccidial programme. Do not treat blindly with a respiratory antibiotic, because the main sign is intestinal.
Traps. Do not vaccinate sick birds and expect protection; do not use expired or heat-damaged vaccine; do not ignore withdrawal periods; and do not let visitors walk between sheds without changing footwear.