Contents
INTRODUCTION.…………………………IV
SELECTON OF QUALITY CHCKS………1
Does Chick size matter?…………………..
Dehydration.…………………………………
BUILDING YOUR BROILERHOUSE………2
BROILER HOUSEQUIPMENT…………...5
Curtainng……………………………………
Lighting………………………………………
Heat Lamp…………………………………..6
Waterng Equipment………………………..
Feeding Equipment…………………………7-8
PREPARATION OF HOUSE………………9
Management of Broiler House Litter……..11
Type and Quality of Litter………………….12
Quaity Litter…………………………………13
Placement of Chcks………………………..
BROODING MANAGEMENT……………..14
The First Two Weeks of Life……………….15
WATER INTAKE & FEEDING OF BROLER BIRDS………………………………………..16
Water Intake…………………………………
Feed & Nutrtion……………………………..17
Celmanax……………………………………19
LIGHTING AND VENTILATION…………..21
Lighting Programme………………………..
Ventiation……………………………………
Hot Weather Tips……………………………22
HEALTH CONSIDERATONS………………24
Early Ilness Recognition……………………
Heat Stress…………………………………..25
Common Diseases/Ilness in Broiler Birds………………………………………26-33
SLAUGHTER & PROCESSING……………35
Preparation For Catching…………………..
Preparing for Slaughter……………………..36
Beedng………………………………………..
Pluckng (Evscerating) and Washing………37
Chillng, Packaging and Storing……………
Dead Bird Disposal………………………….
Introduction
A growing number of people are rearing broilers for profit and fun.
This Broiler Management article is written to help you do this well.
At Lukweta farm we sell Feeds with Cemanax, baby chicks, farm equipment and provides advice to help you excell at rearing chicks to be healthy mature birds ready for harvest in just six weeks.
That’s right….just six weeks and your broilers are ready!
So stay ahead of the game by planning ahead and properly preparing your chicken house gettng the right equipment to nourish your birds and following best practices.
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| Lukweta farm day old chicks |
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| Lukweta farm day old chicks |
ABOUT YOUR LUKWETA FARM CHICKS
Our chicks you buy are the same as those being raised on commercial farms so they can perform just as well. They were hatched in the modern Best Dressed Chicken hatchery after twenty-one days and immediately vaccinated for Newcastle, Infectious Bronchitis, and Infectious.
This guide is for people raising up to 1000 birds in naturally ventilated coops.
Bursa (Gumboro) Diseases.
When collecting your chicks from the store, examine each chick to ensure it is healthy and strong. Do not accept sick or damaged birds.
To successfully raise broiler chicks, you need to know and implement a specific set of practices which are wholy based on maintaining a high degree of cleanliness:
Ensure your coop is ready for the chicks’ arrival
a. Clean and dry chicken house
b. Clean, fresh litter
c. Clean Water pans filled with fresh clean water
d. Clean Feeder pans ready for Broiler Crumble with Celmanax
e. Brooding area ready with Heat lamps and curtains
1) Day 1-10
a. Selecton of heathy Birds.
b. Transport safely at a comfortable temperature. Avoid extremes of heat and cold so if you are comfortable your birds shoud be comfortable. Travel in such a way that you do not bounce the birds.
c. Give clean water on arrival as your birds are probably thirsty. Add sugar and sweeten to taste. On Day 2, add multi-vitamin to boost appetite and the bird’s immune system.
d. Brood your baby chicks keeping them warm and dry.
Lukweta farm feeds with Cemanax, Feeding from trays after two(2) hours of water only.
f. Use heat lamp understanding how to use and when to stop
2) Day 10-42
a. Housekeeping includes cleaning waterers every day and refilling with cool, clean water. Sweep the sides of the house to remove cobwebs.
b. Administer multi-vitamins and other treatments as required.
c. Pest control – Keeping mongoose, rats, and ants out of the house.
d. Transition from Feeding Trays to Feeders
e. Gradualy reduce coop temperature so that mature birds do not suffer from heat stress.
Building Your Broiler House
The ideal Broiler house should allow for proper ventilation, spacing, and be situated away from bushes in an area free of rats and wild birds; in addition, the house should be rat and bird proof. As one square foot of space is required per bird, the dimensions of the house need to be built in accordance with how many birds you intend to grow.
Preferably houses should be more rectangular than square, although this is determined by the availability of space.
The Broiler house should be orented East to West meaning that the narrow section shoud face East and the Wider Secton should face North to South to reduce direct sunlight into the house.
The floor should be concreted, with the posts at east 7-8 feet in height to allow for proper ventilation. The wall should be one block height from the ground with a ½”-1.5” mesh enclosing the coop.
Broiler House Equipment
CURTAINING
The purpose of curtaining or screening the chicken house is to;
A. Protect chicks from draft especially during the broodng period.
B. Retain heat within the house.
C. Prevent rain blowing into the house.
The surface area of the curtain has to be unbroken or free of holes and must be held down tightly. When not in use, curtains should be neatly roled to prevent obstruction to ventiaton.
LIGHTING
Light should be evenly distributed throughout the house; the more bulbs used the better. Good fluorescent lightings are important especially in the summer months to induce heating during the cooler hoursA singe 100 watt incandescent bulb is required to provide light for 1000 birds. However, the more evenly that bulbs are spaced to achieve this intensty, the better the spread of light. Light intensty can be reduced to 40 watts at 4 weeks old.
NOTE: This light source is not a replacement for a heat source.
HEAT LAMP
The heat lamp features special incandescent bulbs which should hover a minimum of 18” above the chicks to provide warmth. Bulbs come in 125 watts and 250 watts. Two 250 watt bulbs can provide heat for 500 chicks.
WATERING EQUIPMENT
Chick Founts
Plastic poutry waterers are recommended for the baby chicks in early stages of growth and more specificaly throughout the brooding process. Waterers range from one quart to one galon with a screwing base and ug design Plastic jars moded from durable, transparent, polyethylene allow for observation and monitoring of the water level, reduces the need for storage space and are easily handed. Wash, sanitize and refill chick waterers with cool fresh water each day and ensure that water is available at all times.
WARNING: Chick Founts should not be used past three(3) weeks as they are easily knocked over, causing the litter to get wet and leading to diseases such as COCCIDIOSIS
Plassons
The plasson is used in brooding and growing out operations. It consists of a broiler ball and balist bottle that is connected to the water source by a hose. The rise in the use of plassons directly relates to the decline of the traditional F60/80 system. Widely used on large farms, a sngle plasson can supply water to 50-75 birds.
Galvanized Cylindrical Fount
The double wall chick founts are made of heavy gauge metal and are available in 2, 3, 5 and 8 galon capacity manufactured with roled edges for chick safety, the fount is completed with locking pins to keep the cyndrical piece upright and in place. Founts can be galvanzed or plastic and each fount can provide water for 100 birds.
Three Gallon Waterer
Once broiler birds have reached 3 weeks, their chick founts shoud be replaced with the 3-gallon waterer, which is idea for arger birds that are drinkng more. This waterer has a twist-lock connecton that completely eliminates leakage. The unit is also easy to clean and will not rot, rust or corrode.
FEEDING EQUIPMENT
Feeder Trays
Feeder trays are usualy used in starting the broiler flock. The trays are brightly colored, rectangular and of convenient depth for baby chicks. One minor disadvantage with open feeder trays is that chicks can walk in and leave droppings on their feed. Other design of feeders for baby chicks includes a 20” Plastic Flip Top feeder fashioned with individual hores on both sides of the hinged, gabled led to minimze waste.
Galvanized Iron Hanging Feeder
Hanging feeders are manufactured from high quality galvanized sheeting with roled edges for safety. They are available in 13.5 and 18.0 kg (30 & 40 lbs) capacity with either a 35 cm (14”) or 43 cm (17”) pan diameter. As an accessory, there is an additonal Feeder cover that can prevent roosting and fabricated from rugged plastic, this feeder will not corrode. It holds approximately 1/3 of a bag of 25kg broiler crumble so it keeps birds fed for a longer period. Because of its central funnel which filters feed to the tray as required, wastage is greatly reduced. Plastic feeders are more popular and they are widely recognized as the protection feeders.
Preparation of House
Prior to the arrival of baby chicks in a coop, certain measures are necessary to ensure their comfort and survival. Preparation includes spreading litter, bagging or curtainng sidewalls, and on the day of arrival, providing cool, clean water and feed.
Cleaning of House and Equipment
Wash all sidewalls, and cobweb ceilings and side meshwork; then apply a suitable disinfectant. If possibe, remove, clean and sanitize all feed containers, waterers, brooders and chick guards.
Sidewall bagging
Feed bags, tarpaun or similarly pant materials shoud be used to curtain the
sidewalls of the broiler house. The aim is to reduce the infow of cold air, while
trapping and retaining a warm, ambient house temperature
Waterers
Waterers should be evenly distributed throughout the house so that all birds have easy access to water. Maintain a ratio of 1 waterer for every 100 birds up to 2 weeks; thereafter, use one 3 gallon waterer for every 25 birds alternatively one plasson waterer to every 50-75 birds.
Note: Plasson waterers can be used from Day One straight through to six weeks.
Water
Fill Waterers several hours before delivery so water can cool house temperature by the time chicks arrive.
MANAGEMENT OF BROILER HOUSE LITTER
Using good quality materal as litter is as important as the handling or management of the litter. How this is treated during the growing period of the flock will determine the extent of its use.
Litter should be:
a. 3” (8cm) thick but no more than 5” (13cm) thick.
b. Remove damp litter and take the remaining litter to perfect compaction, in cases where litter is re-used the following procedure is recommended;
i. Pile litter into a mound in the middle of the chicken house.
ii. Dampen the mound with water.
iii. Leave for 2-3 days.
During this time, it will generate heat, burning and killing the bacteria and other insects inside.
iv. Re-spread litter throughout the chicken house and sprinkle with white lime to ensure all bacteria and germs are killed.When there is not at least a clear week between 6-week old birds eaving and new chick enterng the house, the folowing procedure is recommended;
i. Remove the caked and wet litter.
ii. Remove excess feathers.
iii. Apply new litter in the brooding area with a paper covering for the first 3 days.
The decision whether to reuse or to replace the litter shoud be made within the past week of the fock When old litter is removed, it shoud be disposed of at a location far from the broiler house. Regularly remove any accumulated faeces from the chicken house as decomposition produces heat. Removal also keeps pests to a minimum.
TYPE AND QUALITY OF LITTER
The type of litter used depends on suitability, availability and cost to the farmer, Saw dust, wood shavings, and rice hulls are the most common choices.
Sawdust
Sawdust are the wood fragments that result from the process of saw miling. It provides a soft cushion for the birds; however, it is mted in its capacity to absorb moisture and at times become dusty.
Wood Shaving
Wood shaving is highly regarded in broiler operations for its cushioning and high absorbency. Litter from wood shaving should be sprayed with a suitable antifungal chemical atleast 57 days before baby chicks are placed in the coop.
Rice Hull
Rice hull, like bagasse, is used mostly in areas where it is easily available. It produces a soft underfoot but possesses little absorbency.
QUALITY LITTER
Good quality litter is:
•Highly absorbent and at the same time maintains a consistent moisture level.
•Not dusty, musty or moldy and provides a sufficient cushion for the feet of the birds.
•Clings together very slightly when squeezed tightly together and breaks when dropped from the hand.
WARNING: Bitterwood and Hardwood must be avoided for their high tanning content and the ease with which they splinter. These are fatal to the birds. Avoid using sand and soil instead of litter; sand and soil are not as absorbent as litter so you risk your birds contracting an infection. Smaller chicks will also peck at sand because it is grainy like feed, but sand can affect gut health by causing a blockage.
PLACEMENT OF CHICKS
•All equipment (feeders, waterers, heaters) must be carefully checked before the arrival of baby chicks to ensure that they all are functional.
•Activate heat sources so that chicks enter into a sufficiently warm house. it is necessary to start the heating in advance of arrival especially during the cooler months. Short periods of chilling can significantly reduce the growth potential of broiler birds.
•Evenly distributed waterers should be set up hours before delivery so that drinking water reaches the ambient house temperature (28ºC or 80-85ºF)
•Carefully remove chicks from crates and place under heat source. Mix sugar or glucose in their drinking water at a ratio of one teaspoon per gallon to hydrate and energize bird and allow chicks to drink 2-3 hours before introducing feed.
•Visit the house several times each day, particularly during the first 7-10 days to ensure that chicks are eating and drinking normally. Comfortable chicks are quiet and uncomplaining.
Under normal circumstances, the house temperature should be reduced gradualy each week until a temperature of 82 – 85ºF is reached.
Brooding Management
THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF LIFE
As baby chicks are unable to control their internal temperature for the first 10 days of life, you have to keep them warm just like a mother hen would by brooding.
Brooding is an essential practice in raising broilers and is the basis for achieving good results. Often in small scale farming, heat lamps are used along with curtains or cardboard to prevent cold drafts of air from blowing through the chicken house. The chicks’ position relative to the heat source is an important indicator of comfort. Chicks are best observed at night as a guide to establishing whether they are comfortable or not. Comfort can be verifed as follows:
A. Too cold/ Temperature too low: Chicks will huddle under the brooder.
B. Too hot/ Temperature too high: Chicks move away from heat source and group near the sides of the house.
C. Drafty/ Cold Air Currents: Chicks will huddle in one area to avoid draft.
D. Correct temp/Optimal situation: Chicks sound contented and are evenly distributed around the brooder.
The way you should position the brooder depends on its heat output and the insulation of the house. Where heat bulbs are used for brooding, at least 400 watts is effective in satisfying the heat requirement of 1,000 birds.
A brooding ring a small area, within the house, that can comfortably accommodate the baby chicks should be enclosed to concentrate heat in the brooding area. Brooding can be constructed of wire and covered with paper.
Whatever the brooding system the desired temperature should be maintained at 35ºC (95ºF) throughout the first week regardless of outdoor temperature. The brooding temperature should be reduced by 5ºF each week until the ambient house temperature of 82º-85º is reached. Brooder height should be adjusted according to the bird’s need with the aim of maintaining an ideal environment.
The ideal environment means;
-Free of draft
-Adequate spacing
-Correct temperature
-Enough feeders and waterers
Photo
Water Intake & Feeding of Broiler Birds
WATER INTAKE
On arrival at the coop, chicks should have access to sufficient, fresh, cool clean water. Chick founts shoud be in close proximity to the brooder- approximately 45cm (18”) away- and placed alternate to the feeders.
Waterers should be raised about 25 cm (1”) from the litter level to keep out debris and other contaminants. When chicks arrive in hot conditions they tend to rush to ward the water founts and invariably get wet, a situation that leads to chiling.
Pace clean pebbes in the drinking pan of the fount to prevent litter from getting wet.
Water consumption increases as the ambient temperature of the coop rises especially during the hot summer months. So the hotter it is, the more water your birds require.
Intake also increases as the birds grow older and an adequate storage of water is necessary in the final weeks.
Adjust watering equipment as birds grow to ensure equipment is aways slighty above the back of the birds.
FEED & NUTRITION
The process of obtaining water and food that will be used for growth, development and maintenance is called nutrition.
Broiler birds use nutrients to perform bodily functions such as walking, eating maintaining body temperature and breathing. Nutrients that provide the building blocks for this to happen include Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat, Minerals and Vtamins.
In soation, these nutrients cannot meet the needs of the chicken. For instance corn is high in energy but not in protein Because no single ingredient can fully address the needs of the broiler, the nutritionist at Lukweta farm combines the ingredients in specific proportions according to the age of the birds to create a complete feed ration. This feed can take the form of crumble or peet.
The primary objective when feeding broiler birds is to have maximum growth at an economical feed conversion. The Lukweta farm feed programme under a reasonable level of management has produced average weight of 233 kg (513 bs) in 42 days at an economical feed conversion. A bird eats to fulfl its energy requirements once those requirements have been met, it will stop eating. This will happen even if ther protein Minerals or vitamin needs have not been met Wth this in mind the nutritionist at Lukweta farm ensures that all nutrients are in balance with the energy needs of the chicken. This complex process requires speciaized computer software and machines that constantly analyse the nutrient compostion of ingredients and finished feeds Because of a the compex steps involved, it is always better to feed chickens Lukweta Broiler Crumble and Lukweta Broiler Pellet, commercially produced feeds that have not been diluted. Maximum profits are achieved when birds are fed the full lne of Broiler feeds compared to homemade recipes. For profitable broiler production it s counterproductive to “unbalance” a high quality diet with supplements if the chickens are in good health. Common mistakes made while rearing healthy chickens are as follows;
• Giving vitamins and electrolyte supplements for more than 10 days.
• Supplementing feeds with corn and wheat middlings.
• Adding green chop (callaloo, lettuce or pakchoy) to Feeds.
• Administering medication not recommended by your vet.
Recommended feeding programme
For every pound of weight gain in chickens they need approximatey 2 pounds of feed. That means that a four pound chicken will need approximately eight pounds of complete feed. Table 3 outlines the Feed guidelines for profitable production:
The above table is a guideline for purchasing feeds. The actual amount of feed consumed is dependent on the health of the birds, heat stress, availability of clean cool drinking water, the breed of chickens, and the feed type selected (crumble vs Pellet).
CELMANAX
Celmanax is a yeast based additive that reduces the need for antibiotics when controlling gut health. The additive improves feed efficiency (less feed to consume per pound of meat), reduces the impact of heat stress and improves bird uniformity.
For the wholesomeness (healthiness) of your dressed birds, feed Broiler Crumble throughout Week 1 to 5 and Broiler Pelet for atleast 5 days before slaughter.
Feeding equipment should help reduce feed wastage and improve feed conversion.
Plastic feeder trays are recommended for feeding baby chicks during the first 7 days. The trays should be kept close to the brooder for the first few days and gradualy moved away in the days that follow. Feeder trays should be filled to 2/3 capacity for the first day and maintained at not more than 50% volume. In the absence of feeder trays, chicks can start with feed spread on paper over the litter, however care must be taken to prevent the ingestion of splinters and other harmful particles.
Lighting and Ventilation
LIGHTING PROGRAMME
The demand for rapid growth, especially under adverse management conditions, is sad to reduce the liveability of birds. Research shows that the use of a managed lighting programme can be beneficial in lowering mortality due to eg problems, sudden death syndrome and ascites – an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
A recommended lighting programme for growing broilers is as follows:
1. Provide 24 hours of bright light each day for the first 3 days after the chicks hatch.
2. Provide 18 hours of light (6 hours of darkness) each day from 4 to 6 days of age
3. Provide 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness each day from 7 to 21 days of age. For example, you could turn the lights off at 6:00 p.m.(or bed down at sunset) in the evening and have the birds rise at sunrise the next morning (6:00 am)
4. From 4 weeks of age to market, provide natural daylight.
VENTILATION
Ventilation is one of the diffcult aspects of broiler production. The fast growth rate of birds, high stocking density and the need to grow birds to heavier weights have made ventilation even more important.
Ventilation in the broiler houses serves to;
a. Remove excess heat and moisture.
b. Provide oxygen while removing harmful gases e.g. ammonia.
c. Reduce the build-up of dust and improve air quality.
d. Facilitate the increased carrying capacity of the house.
e. Extend the life of broiler equipment.
f. Reduce upper respiratory tract disorders.
A good ventilation system can influence and improve:
a. Liveability.
b. Growth rate .
c. Feed conversion.
d. Processing condemnation ventilation System.
The ventilation requirements change as the birds grow older and as temperature, humidity and climatic condition change.
The common ventilation systems are:
a. Sidewall curtain + natural ventilation.
b. Sidewall curtain + fan to supplement natural ventilation.
c. Power ventilation + fans to provide air movement.
d. Environmentally controlled (tunnel ventilation)Hot Weather Ventilation.
Controlling heat budup and maintaining bird comfort can be accomplished by;
-Reducing flock density.
-Feeding or making feed available in cooler periods of the day.
-Increasing the number and efficiency of fans.
-Raising side curtains in the brooding house during the day.
-Building house with roofvents.
NOTE: Always have a thermometer placed at least 1’ (12” or 30 cm) from the floor of the coop to monitor heat in the house.
HOT WEATHER TIPS
-Spray roof with water.
-Shade water storage containers.
-Add ice to drinking water or paint black
water drums white so they attract less
heat and the water remains cool.
-If possible, add extra waterers.
-Remove wet litter from the house.
-Lift feeders during hot part of day, then
lower them when it gets cool.
Health Considerations
Lukweta farm chicks are vaccinated at Day One for Newcastle, Infectious Bronchitis and Infectious Bursal (Gumboro) Diseases.
Prevention is by far the best and most economical method of disease control. Prevention is mainly achieved by the implementation of effective bio-security and vaccination programs, proper husbandry practices, and an in-depth knowledge of disease management. The health status of the bird is of utmost importance and can be greatly affected by fock management and production. This includes growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, liveabiity, and condemnation. These are factors that determine the profitability of the business. One has to be vigilant, keen and knowledgeable of diseases to effectively detect illness. Early illness can be detected and treated in a timely manner by;
•Consistently monitoring flock health and production parameters.
•Seeking veterinary intervention.
EARLY ILLNESS RECOGNITION
Early identification and action with a fock will help reduce disease spread in surrounding and successive flocks. Also ensure biosecurity measures are maintained and cleaning and disinfection practices are followed. Some key factors in early illness recognition include;
•Changes in feed and particularly water intake. These can be one of the first indications of disease so feed and water intake must be closely monitored.
•Changes in behaviour and appearance such as colouring, uniformity, and size. These should be observed daily.
•Respiratory noise, distress, faecal droppings (colour and consistency), and vocalization of birds.
Utilizing your five senses- hearing, smell, sight taste, and touch- can aid in the early detection of illness in your flock. Once symptoms are detected, a Veterinarian should be consulted.
HEAT STRESS
Heat stress is a condition suffered by birds grown in temperatures in excess of 32ºC (90ºF). A chicken’s normal body temperature is between 40ºC and 41ºC (104ºF and 107ºF) but as they do not have sweat glands they are unabe to regulate their body temperature. A clear sign that birds are undergoing heat stress is heavy panting and the drooping or spreading of wings. Some tips to prevent and control heat stress are:
•Adjust feed intake so that the birds feed during the cooler periods of the day and night.
•As digestion naturally produces more heat, remove feed from the birds by lifting the feeders during the hottest time of day.
•If possible, walk through the house gently and regularly to encourage air circulation around the birds.
•Avoid overcrowding the chickens and give birds more space if possible.
•Improve ventilation by using fans, raising curtains, and removing bush and other objects from around the chicken house.
•Stimulate water consumption by cooling water and using supplements rich in Vitamin C.
Refferhydraboost Plus and Antistress- both used to control heat stress, are available at Lukweta Farm Supplies and other local farm stores.
COMMON DISEASES/ILLNESS IN BROILER BIRDS AND TREATMENT
Usually none. Environmental spraying with effective antifungal antiseptic may help reduce challenge. Copper Sulphate can be given in drinking water, however the efficacy is low.
PREVENTION
•Store feed in a dry place to avoid growth of moud.
•Dry, good quality litter and proper sanitation.
NOTE: Consult with a veterinarian on treatment of the various illnesses and disease.
ACUTE DEATH SYNDROME
Commonly known as Fip-over disease causes serious mortality in broiler chickens.
Fip-over disease usually affects the arger and rapidly growing broilers that are between 3 and 5 weeks old. The condition can also affect small farm focks.
SIGNS
•Birds are often found dead on their backs with their legs stretched out behind them and their necks extended forward. Occasionally, a dead bird is found on its stomach.
•There is rarely any sign of sickness prior to such deaths but some people have observed a bird which appeared to be perfectly normal, suddenly squawk jump into the air, and on its back.
CAUSE
The cause of fipover disease is still obscure Heart attacks and enterotoxemia have both been suggested as causes, but neither theory has been substantiated.
PREVENTION
Decreasing the light intensity in broiler houses, thereby sowing down the birds activity appears to reduce incidence of fip-over disease. Other than keeping the birds as calm as possible, there is very little that can be done to prevent fipover in broiler flocks.
ASPERGILLOSIS
A fungal infectous disease caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, in which the typical sign is gasping for breathing especially in young chicks. Sometimes the same organism causes eye lesions or chronic lesions in order birds. The fungus can infect pant materials and many species of animals including birds and man. Occasionally similar lesions are produced by other species of Aspergllus or even other fung such as Pencilium, Absidia etc
SIGNS
Acute form:
•Lack of Appetite.
•Weakness.
•Silent gasping.
•Rapid breathing.
•Thirst.
•Drowsness.
•Nervous signs (rare)
Chronic Form.
•Ocular discharge (ocular form only).
• Weight loss (Wasting)
LITTER BUG INFESTATION
A condition in poultry caused by infestation of the external parasite Cimex lectularius. The parasites are up to 5 mm long and feed at night. It occurs mainly in subtropical and temperate areas. Adult parasites can survive in the environment without feeding Eggs laid by the adult parasites hatch in 35 days. There are five nymphal stages, each of which feed on birds Growth to adult parasite takes one to three months, dependng on temperature.
SIGNS
•Lethargy.
•Anaema.
•Reduced production when infestation is serious.
TREATMENT
Appropriate treatment of the environment, in particular the cracks and crevices where the parasites hide during the daytime using insecticide or fumigation. Insectcides include:
Malathion 50% Carbary 80%, Dazinon 48% and Acetelic (Prmiphos-Methy) which have proven to be safe and effective solutions.
PREVENTION
Thorough treatment of the empty building at turn-around with an appropriate insecticide.
CANNIBALSM, FEATHER PECKING
A compex multfactorial behavoral problem of poultry and game birds seen worldwide.
Chickens will literally pick each other to death. This problem can be expensive for the producer and makes life uncomfortable for the flock. Once cannibalism starts it readily becomes a habit that must be stopped. Morbidity is usually low but mortality is high among affected birds. Predisposing factors includes overcrowding, excessive light intensity or variation (eg through shafts of light in the house), high temperatures nutritonal deficiencies, tenosynovtis and other diseases affecting mobity, boredom, and strain of bird. Prevention is much easer for man and brd than is treatment.
SIGNS
•Pecking at feet (especially young chicks) and vents, head, face, wings
•Featherpullng, wet vent feathers
CAUSES
•Overcrowding
•insufficient feeders and waterers
•Fock nervousness or overexcitement (may be breed reated)
•Dietary absences or deficiences
•incorrect lighting (usually too much light)
•Lame birds left in the flock•Stresses due to moving birds or making other necessary management changes
•Timid birds in the flock that are not getting enough feed or water
•Extremely high environmental temperatures
•Abrasions or tears that may be the result of an accident
•Diseases, especially if the nervous system is affected.
•Pure meanness on the part of the birds
The first step in a cannibalism control program is to give the birds the best care possible. Correct management conditions that may contribute to an outbreak before one occurs. Soluble multi-vitamins such as L-Provit with Cemanax, Formula One Plus and Mineralytes Plus Biotin or Methonne may be of beneft in some circumstances
PREVENTION
Ensure proper density and temperature are appropriate at all times, and control ectoparasites. Remove all sick, weak, small or odd coored chick Birds will attack and kill these chicks as a survival instinct, resulting in widespread cannibalism throughout the flock.
Provide plenty of feed and water, birds should have access to feed and water at all times. Bright lighting increases bird activity and cannibalism, so reduce brightness of light. Keep the house temperature comfortable as hot house temperatures aggravate birds and make them more irritable.
COCCIDIOSIS
Coccidiosis is a parastic disease of the internal intestinal tract of which the causative agent is protozoa. A warm environment and high humidity (wet litter) is perfect for the organism to multiply. Coccidial oocyst (developing eggs) are ever present in used litter contaminated by the droppings of previous focks. Birds are infected by ingesting the sporulated oocyst in feed, water, litter and soil. The organism can be transported on dust, shoes, baby chick boxes and can survive for months in the litter.
SIGNS
•Bloody faeces.
•Ruffled feathers.
•Anaemia•Reduced head size and somnolence .
•Droopiness and listlessness.
•Loss of appetite.
•Loss of yellow colour in shanks.
•Pae combs and wattes.
•Huddling or acting chiled.
•Blood or mucus in the faeces.
•Diarrhoea.
•Dehydraton.
•Death.
•Poor feed digestion, weight gain and feed efficiency.
CAUSE
The disease is caused by 9 different species of coccidia of which the most important are: Elmeria, E acervuina, E necatrx, E tenela, E maxima and E brunett, each affecting a different part of the intestine.
Amproium, Celmanax, and some sulphonamdes are the drugs of choice
PREVENTION
•Use feed containing appropriate coccidiostats such as Lukweta farm Feeds.
•Practice proper litter management to eliminate wet areas in the house.
•Maintain and use the footbath as a method of preventing house to house contamination.
•Keep your coop dry; coccidia proiferate in wet conditions. Remove and replace any wet litter.
•Keep water and feeders level to chickens backs to prevent them from popping in them.
• Keep chickens in coop or enclosed in a roofed run during a long spell of rain and no sun. Let them out when the ground has dried out.
•Keep grass short and make sure that the sun hits all the grass atleast for some time of the day. No deep shade spots if you have trees.
•Replace bedding and sanitize coop ensuring you use a product made to kill protozoans. If this is not possible add a 6 inch layer of new bedding or gravel to coops and runs.
•Sanitize all feeders and waterers rinsing with natural- not synthetic- white vinegar and placing in the sun to dry.
•Administraton of Celmanax in drinking water during the first few days.
CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)
Also known as airsacculitis and MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum), CRD affects the entire respiratory tract including the air sacs. The disease is important, not by itself but because it attracts secondary invading organisms such as E Coli Stress conditions (moving birds, debeaking, cold or poor ventilation) increases the susceptibility of birds. Mortality is usually owe and economic losses are due to reduced body weight and poor feed conversion.
CAUSE
CRD is due to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and the condition is frequently triggered by respiratory viruses (BV and NDV) bacteria that have an affinity for the respiratory tract.
Other factors such as nutritional deficiency, high ammonia level and dust contribute to the severity of the disease.
SIGNS
•Respiratory distress; coughing and sneezing
•Sncks, raes, sometimes with eye and nasa discharge
•Decreased feed intake, body weight and poor feed conversion
TREATMENT
NeoChlor Plus Menorox® and NeoOxytetracycine
PREVENTION
•Good management and sanitation must be the daily practice in the event of infection
•Avoid high ammonia levels, dust overcrowding, and poor ventilaton
•Remove infected focks; then clean, disinfect and rest house for 34 weeks before restocking
COLIBACILLOSIS OR COLSEPTCEMA
Coi-septicaema is an infectious disease of farmed poultry It is most commonly seen
following upper respiratory disease Caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli, it is seen
worldwide in chickens and turkeys
SIGNS
•Respiratory signs, coughing sneezing
•Snck
•Dejection
•Reduced appette
•Poor growth
TREATMENT
Amoxicillin (Avimox®), Neomycin (intestinal activity only),
NeoChor Plus®, Potentated Sulphonamde (Trisuvtrm®) and Menorox®
PREVENTION
•Good sanitation of house, feed and water.
•Control of predisposing factors and infections by vaccination.
•Ensure proper ventilation and chlorination of drinking water to reduce the levels of environmental contamination.
GANGRENOUS DERMATITIS
Gangrenous dermatitis (GD) is a disease affecting growing birds characterized by gangrene of different skin areas and of the subcutaneous tissue. The sudden and quick increase in death rates is often the first signal for the incidence of GD The lesions range from dark red to blue green macerated skin areas, usually featherless, beginning generally from wings and adjacent areas. Affected birds die after less than 24h.
CAUSE
Bacteria infection by the Clostridium and Staphylococcus species, independently or combined. The associated infection is more severe. The skin lesons are often crepitating and are detected in the regions of breast, abdomen, back or wings in both alive and dead birds.
PREVENTION
•Good management and sanitation must be the daily practice in treating the infection.
•Maintain good litter management, by removing dead birds and any other animal carcasses immediately from the house.
•Remove old, rusty nails or sharp objects ends from the litter or mesh inside of the house.
NEWCASTLE DISEASE (ND)
Newcastle disease (ND) is highly infectious The disease usually occurs in chickens but can affect all other species of poultry. Transmission is through oral and respiratory discharge and faeces of infected birds. By law, this disease must be reported at once.
CAUSE
The disease is caused by Paramyxovirus, a virus that is heat sensitive.
SIGNS
•Respiratory distress and nervous disorder
•Transent coughing, sneezing and raes.
•Marked depression and prostration (aying down) in young chicken with abnormal positioning of the head (star gazing’)
•Dyspnea (short of breath), violent green diarrhoea conjunctivitis and paraysis.
•Death usualy occurs wthin 3 days and mortality can be high as 100%.
TREATMENT
There is no known treatment for ND which makes prevention very necessary.
PREVENTION
•Vaccination (live or nactive vaccine) of the day old chicks is the only reliable method of control.
•Proper sanitation and hygene.
INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS (IB)
Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease The importance of IB infection is that it negatively effect on the birds growth rate and feed efficiency; focks also have a high percentage of condemnation at processing.
SIGNS
Baby chick
•Wheezing, coughing and sneezing are detectable at night.
•Watery eyes, nasal discharge and swolen snuses can be seen.
•Mortality is usualy low but in cases of secondary infections may reach 50%.
Growing broiler birds are not generally affected by infectious bronchitis.
TREATMENT
There is no known treatment of BV making prevention highly critical.
PREVENTION
•Vaccination is a reliable means of control.
•Sanitation and good hygiene.
•Where there is infection, avoid the spread from house to house through equipment, feed and vehicles.
INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE (IBD)
The highly infectious Bursa Disease (IBD) is also known as Gumboro in reference to the district of Delaware, USA where it was first recognized. The disease usually affects birds that are 36 weeks old. The course of the disease is very short, stunting the bird’s growth and affecting their immunity.
CAUSE
The disease is caused by a Birnavirus which is quite stable and resistant to envronmental conditions and many disinfectants.
SIGNS
BD can be either clinical (apparent infection) in birds 36 weeks or subclinical (unapparent infection) in birds 13 weeks.
Clinical IBD
•Whitesh watery diarrhoea observed at 23 days with paste vents and vent pickings is very common.
•Sudden loss of appetite ruffled feathers, trembling and ack of coordination.
•Listlessness, paleness and depression, hudding and droopiness.
•Mortality can be as much as 20% and morbidity ranges from 20% to 100% Clinical signs usually disappear within 10-14 days.
Subclinical IBD
•Little or no signs are observed.
•Decreased body weight gain an increase feed conversion ratio.
•increased susceptibility to other diseases.
•Reduce response to the vaccines as a result of mmunosuppression.
TREATMENT
There is no treatment for BD but the water administration of vitamins and electrolytes can alleviate the severity of the disease.
PREVENTION
•Vaccination of parent flocks.
•Vaccination of Day old chicks at the hatchery.
•Sanitation though absolutely necessary, it is not totally effective because of the high resistance of the IBD virus.
FOWL POX (Yaws)
Fowl pox or yaws is a viral disease illustrated by lesons on the skin, neck, and feet and internal lesons of the digestive and respiratory tract. The virus is transmitted by direct contact through water and feed. Mosquitos and other insects are vectors of the virus. With vaccination incidence of the disease have significantly reduced making fow pox of reduced economic importance.
CAUSE
The disease in chickens is caused by a Poxivirus (Avipox genus)
SIGNS
The disease spreads slowly and Indeed quiety and may go unnoticed until cutaneous lesons are observed. There are two forms of the disease;
1Cutaneous or ‘dry pox’
•Progressive decrease in body weight gain.
•Yellowish to dark brown wart-like lesons on the head, comb and wattes Diphtheritic or ‘wet pox.
•Depresson and lack of appetite.
•Dyspnea, nasa and ocular discharge.
•Mortality is generally by suffocation and dehydration.
PREVENTION
Vaccinate birds by the wing web with the fowlpox vaccine.
PREPARATION FOR CATCHING
After investing time energy and money to grow quality birds it is important that they reach processing with minimal bruising. In cases where birds are transported for processing, most bruising occurs during catching, caging, transport and unloading of birds.
PREPARING FOR SLAUGHTER
BLEEDING
•Mantain drinking water up to the time of saughter.
•Prepare slaughtering area by cleaning and disinfecting with bleach.
•Prepare hot water for scalding.
•Put ice and water in place for chilling (coong) carcasses.
•Ensure that there is adequate amount of clean water available (chlorinated water)
•Have a thermometer on hand! browning of the skin.
•Catch birds by the feet and pace in killing cones head down.
•Take the head in one hand with the comb in the palm and use a sharp knife to cut jugular veins on both sides of the neck.
•Bird’s neck should be firmly hed.
•After bird stops moving dip in hot water
(140ºF or 60ºC) for 30/40 seconds.
•Move birds up and down to get good penetration, A little soap in the water helps.
•Remove feathers by rubbing.
•Use open flame to get off those hard-to-remove fine feathers.
•Place the carcass in cool water (icy slush).
This prevents growth of bacteria.
PLUCKING (EVISCERATING) AND WASHING
CHILLING, PACKAGING AND STORING
•Place the carcass in ice water, lowering the temperature to 400F (40°C).
•Remove chilled carcass from ice water and allow to drain before putting in bag.
•Place in freezer bags for long-term storage or the refrigerator for short term storage (less than 4 days).
DEAD BIRD DISPOSAL
Dead birds are a major environmental and economic risk to poultry production and human welfare primarily because a signifcant proportion of poultry death is due to diseases. Methods of disposal include incineration and dead disposal pits.
Contact your public health officers as to the proper disposal of mass dead birds on your farm.
•Ths process is to be completed in a screened and enclosed room.
•Take the carcass out of cool water and place on a flat solid surface. Cut off feet and remove the head.
•Sit skin on the bottom of neck from head to body and remove windpipe and crop.
•Cut off oil gland at the base of the tail (optional)
•Carefully make an incision in the body cavity and gently pull out intestines, gizzard and heart.
•Remove the lungs (embedded in ribs).
•Clean and rinse the gizzard, liver and heart.
•Rinse the carcass with clean cold water.
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