Family Poultry Training Course/Scavenging Chickens Training Handbook - Health

From Poultry Hub

When a chicken's wing feathers drag on the ground it is a sign of Newcastle Disease

Health

There are some simple steps that you should follow to keep your flock healthy. Only healthy birds will lay well and grow fast. Some we have already mentioned.

• Check your flock at night and in the morning
• Remove and bury dead birds immediately
• Remove sick birds. They will be seen to have drooping feathers, sitting and not eating, and away from the rest of the flock
• Give them feed and water

• If they don’t improve, kill them and bury them but do not eat them. Your family may get ill
• Keep your feeders, drinkers, and poultry house clean
• Disinfect the floor with Jeyes Fluid or another disinfectant
• If there is a disease outbreak in your village it may be necessary to call in an expert for advice

You may be advised to vaccinate your flock or give them medication. There are government organisations that you can call on for advice.

Newcastle Disease

There are two diseases that are particularly dangerous in many low-income countries. Newcastle disease (ND) is endemic (there always) in many countries and becomes active particularly at the start of the wet season. It can wipe out entire village flocks although a few individual birds often do survive. There are now ND vaccines that will withstand the heat for a short period (thermostable) of time. Vaccination is most effective by eye drop and birds should be vaccinated a month before expected outbreaks by a trained person. There is also a need to treat the birds at intervals throughout their life. This is a specialised area and the poultry keeper will need help from experts but it is well worth the effort

Sick birds must be quarantined or destroyed

Avian Influenza

The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird ’flu) is particularly dangerous not only because it can infect different poultry species and wild birds but it can also kill humans. Village poultry are especially at risk because they are outside and may be in contact with wild birds and other poultry species (ducks, geese). The virus can be spread by eating infected birds and can kill the consumer particularly if she/he is young. Household poultry keepers should keep themselves informed about the situation in relation to bird ‘flu as it often appears at particular times in the year.

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