Disease Control and Biosecurity in Broiler Chickens

Today I want to share my experience in poultry on disease control and biosecurity on farms.

Most diseases are brought onto the farm. Very rarely do disease emerge on the farm. This is why biosecurity is very important.

Disease can be defined as lack of ease; any abnormality in the state of normal health is in effect disease.

Sometimes in our excitement to show off our progress, we have allowed visitors into or near our chicken runs without carrying out proper biosecurity safety measures:

1. Do not allow visitors or anyone not working at the poultry house have access to your chickens.

2. All poultry workers should have uniforms, two pairs. One for working inside the poultry houses; only take it home for washing and another for outside the poultry house. Same with boots.

3. Encourage poultry workers to bath before they start a new day. If possible provide bath facilities and soap at the farm.

4. Put footbaths at entry pointes to poultry houses and also for vehicles at the farm gate. You can also have a sprayer for vehicles entering the farm.

5. Change disinfectants in the footbaths regularly. I change mine every third day depending on traffic!

As stated earlier, most diseases are brought from outside the farm. We shall now try to identify who in particular are the likely agents:

· Our visitors, some of whom also rear chickens. It is not advisable to allow these near the chickens if biosecurity measures have not been taken i.e. Bath and change of clothing.

· Our so called consultants who visit several farms. Because we trust them a lot, we tend to relax on biosecurity.

· The people we hire to come and help with tasks like vaccinations and debeaking. These too visit several farms and pose a lot of risk. If they come with their equipment, make sure you sterilise it yourself. It's actually advisable to buy disposable syringes and needles.

· The customers who come to buy our products. These should not be allowed near the poultry houses. The most risky are times we are cropping, especially the Layers. Those vehicles and cages need to be thoroughly disinfected. If possible don't allow them on the farm. We allow buyers in our chicken houses to choose at very great risk to our remaining flock.

What I have written above is from personal experience and I would appreciate others also sharing their experiences and expertise.

- Kapolesa Edwin

Comments

Growing Cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia

Growing cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia requires careful consideration of the climate and soil conditions, as well as proper planting and care techniques. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to successfully grow cabbage in these regions. From the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements to pest and disease management, as well as harvesting and storage techniques, you will find all the information you need to cultivate healthy and abundant cabbage crops. Read on to discover the key takeaways from each section. Key Takeaways Understanding the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements is crucial for successful cabbage cultivation. Proper watering and irrigation techniques are essential for maintaining healthy cabbage plants. Choosing the right cabbage varieties for the specific region can significantly impact crop yield. Careful soil preparation, seed sowing, and transplanting techniques are important for successful cabbage planting. Effective pest and disease management ...

Staking and Pruning Tomatoes in the Home Garden

Staking and pruning tomatoes are essential practices for maintaining healthy tomato plants in the home garden. By selecting the right tomato varieties, preparing the garden properly, and employing the correct staking and pruning techniques, gardeners can ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. This article will provide key insights into staking and pruning tomatoes to help you achieve successful growth in your garden. Key Takeaways Select disease-resistant tomato varieties to prevent common plant diseases. Amend the soil with organic matter for optimal tomato growth and fruit production. Properly stake tomato plants to support their growth and prevent damage from heavy fruit loads. Regularly prune tomato plants to remove suckers and maintain airflow, which can improve fruit quality. Avoid over-pruning tomato plants as it can reduce yield and stress the plants. Selecting the Right Tomato Varieties Determining Your Growing Conditions ...

Chinese Cabbage Production

General Requirements Chinese does well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 20ºC to 25ºC, with minimum temperatures of 18ºC and maximum 30ºC. A well-managed chinese crop should yield 5 tons per Lima with a leaf cutting period of 40 to 50 days. First leaves can be harvested 21 days after transplanting. Land Preparation/Soil Type Deep well-drained loamy soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for Chinese cabbage. Effective rooting depth is 60cm. Plough and disc to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed. Avoid planting Chinese cabbage on land previously planted to other brassicas for at least one season. Planting and Transplanting Sow directly by drilling in the farrows 1 to 2cm deep or raise seedlings in nursery beds and transplant 4 to 5 weeks later. Transplant during the cool part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid wilting of the plants. Space the plants at 20cm between plants and 60cm between rows to give a plant population...

Zambia Agribusiness Society

Search This Blog