Health care, vaccination and biosecurity
Domain 5 – Health care, vaccination and biosecurity
The exam tests recognition of common poultry diseases, a practical vaccination schedule, and biosecurity measures suitable for a village flock.
Core rules
- Common diseases: Ranikhet (Newcastle disease), Gumboro (IBD), fowl pox, Marek’s disease, coccidiosis, fowl cholera and parasitic worms. Sudden deaths, greenish diarrhoea, twisted neck and gasping suggest Newcastle disease; bloody droppings suggest coccidiosis.
- Vaccination: Marek’s at day-old in the hatchery; Newcastle F1 at day 7; IBD at 14 days; Newcastle Lasota at 28 days; fowl pox at 6–8 weeks; repeat Newcastle every 3–4 months in endemic areas. Use the correct route: eye/nostril drop, drinking water or wing web.
- Biosecurity: keep visitors out, use a footbath, isolate new or sick birds, all-in–all-out where possible, control rats and wild birds, dispose of dead birds safely, and clean and disinfect between batches.
- Cold chain: keep vaccines cool, not frozen unless required; use within the stated time after reconstitution.
Worked example
A village flock shows gasping, greenish diarrhoea and high mortality. The likely diagnosis is Newcastle disease. Immediate steps: isolate sick birds, stop movement of birds and people, report to the local veterinary officer, disinfect the shed, and vaccinate unaffected neighbouring flocks (ring vaccination). Do not sell or move live birds during the outbreak. Antibiotics will not cure a viral disease; supportive care and prevention are the practical responses.
Traps
- Using expired vaccine or exposing it to sunlight.
- Vaccinating sick birds and expecting protection.
- Sharing feeders and waterers between sheds without cleaning.
- Assuming every death is due to disease; check heat, water and feed first.
Key points
- Newcastle disease, IBD, fowl pox and coccidiosis are common flock problems.
- Follow a schedule: Marek’s day-old, ND F1 day 7, IBD day 14, Lasota day 28.
- Use the correct vaccine route and maintain the cold chain.
- Biosecurity means footbath, isolation, visitor control and safe carcass disposal.
- Antibiotics do not treat viral diseases such as Newcastle disease.