General Disease Control Practices

The following can only be used as guidelines for disease control, However, for proper disease diagnosis and treatment, consult the veterinarian.

Don’t overcrowd brooders

Adequate ventilation

Feed must be of good quality

Give clean water ad-lib

Don’t mix young and older birds

Clean poultry house

Dispose of dead birds quickly and isolate sick ones

Provide disinfectant at entrance to house

NB: Antibiotics should never be used to replace good management and should be used on prescription by a veterinarian

All part of the egg will be dark except the egg with dead embryo will have at the broad end side where light from dark and light shades on candling the torch will pass

Economics of production
Usually 80% of hens are programmable i.e. 11 in this example

If each is given 17 selected eggs (11xl7 = 187 eggs)

Hatchability is usually 90% i.e. (11×15= 165 day old chicks)

3 to 5 hatchings are possible per bird though 7 hatchings are possible if birds sit on the eggs consecutively.(You must provide adequate water and feed)

Remember to change water frequently

Therefore with 14 birds, a farmer may hatch (4×165) =495 to (5×165) = 825 chicks with possibility of 1159 chicks if seven hatches are attained per year.

General Disease control Practices

The following can only be used as guidelines for disease control, for proper disease diagnosis and treatment, consult the veterinarian.

Don’t overcrowd brooders

Adequate ventilation

Feed must be of good quality

Give clean water ad-lib

Don’t mix young and older birds

Clean poultry house

Dispose of dead birds quickly and isolate sick ones

Provide disinfectant at entrance to house
Signs of ill health
Dullness
Reduced feed intake

Reduced water intake.

Low egg production

Reduced growth rate

Rouch coat

Record keeping
It should include:

Production data eg number of eggs produced

Amount of food eaten.

Health interventions eg treatment

Deaths

Sales and purchases