DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN POULTRY | MARTINS LIBRARY

Disease management which includes prevention and control of diseases in broiler farm is very important. Disease affecting broiler could be from pathogens (disease causing organism) such as bacteria, virus, fungi, and protozoa. 

Viral Diseases      

New castle disease: This is highly contagious viral disease of poultry and many wild birds, which is characterized by neurological and respiratory disturbance. It is also characterized with

twisted neck, coughing and nervous signs. New castle disease is been control by vaccination of lasota and IO.

Gumboro Diseases: Is a highly contagious viral infection of chicken that is seen world wide. Signs of the disease can include – ruffled feathers, rapid drop in feed and water consumption, picking at own vent and sleeping with beak touching the floor. 

Treatment: There is no treatment for it but support therapies such as vitamins, electrolyte supplements and antibiotics may reduce the impact of the disease. Prevention is through good bio security and vaccination.

Chronic Respiratory Disease:  It is a disease of respiratory system caused by mycoplasms gall septum. The birds found it difficult to breath. It is also accompanied with nasal discharge, loss of weight, weakness and sneezing. Dustiness and over crowding could lead to chronic respiratory diseases

Treatment: Isolate and give tyrosine or mycomax or terramycin.

Salmonellosis: This is bacterial disease caused by salmonella organism. It caused gastroenteritis in poultry. The high occurrence of the disease is attributed to poultry and egg product and the centralization of food processing operation.

Prevention: The litter must be dry every time. Rejection of mouldy ingredient such as groundnut cake, soyabean meal and maize etc. keep the feed in a dry environment and maintain good hygiene.

PROTOZOAL DISEASES

Coccidisosis: This is one of the major protozoa disease caused by Eimeria SPP which affect poultry. This affect the young poultry at early stage of life: it can cause 60-80% mortality the symptoms include blood stained excreta, retarded growth, and in activeness.

Prevention: proper sanitation and avoidance of wet litter and vaccination (immuncox).

Treatment: use of anti-coccidosis such as embazine forte

Parasite

– Endo parasite

– Ecto parasite

            Endo- parasite or internal parasite.

– Helminthiasis: this is a common Endo-parasitic disease of broiler they are spread through an intermediate host such as housefly, beetle and earthworm, etc.

Helminthes Include:       

i. Nematodes. An example of nematode is round worm, they live in small intestine i.e. Ascaridia gale. Infected bird will have unthriftness appearance, loss of weight etc.

control: good sanitation, the drug peprazine should be given to the birds.

ii.         Cestodes: an example is tapeworm. They live in duodenum and jejunum the intermediate host could be houseflies, beetle. They causes intestinal obstruction, retarded growth.

Control: good hygiene and de-worm with peprazine and levamizole thiabendazole.

(iii)     Mites: it cause loss of feather, loss of appetite and weight. It could be transited from infected birds and building. It is a blood sucking parasites but small than lice proper management practice and delousing for effective control.