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.