NCD is a viral disease. There are mild forms and virulent
forms of the disease. Meaning there are different strains of the virus that
cause NCD.
Many farmers have shared the vaccination schedule on this
platform and hope you are adhering to it. The formula for calculating the
volume of water to be used for the dosing has also been shared.
Remember NCD will affect the respiratory, digestive and
nervous system of the birds. These are the clinical signs:
- Respiratory
System: Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing,
nasal discharge.
- Digestive
System: Greenish watery diarrhoea.
- Nervous
System: Twisted head and neck, circling, complete
stiffness, paralysis.
- Other
Signs: Swelling around the eyes and neck, decreased
activity, tremors, drooping of wings.
If birds are not vaccinated, NCD can wipe out 100% of
your flock. Note that vaccination reduces mortality in the flock and provides the
birds some immunity to fight the disease. So while some weaker birds may die
even when vaccinated, others will survive.
For village chickens, vaccinate the birds every 3 months.
If you did not vaccinate them in August please do so now.
Observe
Biosecurity:
Don't allow anyone anytime to walk into your poultry
housing units. Disinfect vehicle tyres on entry onto the farm. Place foot-baths
at entry points to poultry houses with disinfectant and ensure everyone
entering the poultry house dips their boots in there. (My worker is giving me
headaches on this one).
Clean all feeding and drinking utensils with
disinfectants, except when giving vaccines. Disinfect Poultry houses using
virukil or ultraxide.
Remember, the NCD virus can survive in the chicken manure
for 2 months and on your farm premises for a year. However, it is destroyed by
chemicals.
Do not be cheated, once the birds are infected and have the disease, there is no cure. You can only give antibiotics to prevent secondary infection. Isolate sick birds as soon as possible, not less 10 metres away from healthy ones.
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