Key priorities for successful poultry farming this year

Poultry farming is generally profitable despite the high cost of inputs and volatile market. Commercial chicken farming requires a high level of expertise, understanding and commitment to be successful. We will highlight some of the priorities poultry farmers will have to focus on as a priority this year. Poultry vaccination Poultry vaccination is an important activity in managing flock health and product quality, as well as farm biosecurity, hygiene, and sanitation. A good vaccination programme, if done right, prepares chickens for any field disease challenges that may be caused by an outbreak of pathogens in the environment. I strongly believe that poor vaccine handling, storage and administration are still the major causes of vaccine failure in our industry. Every year, poultry farmers lose a sizable amount of their flocks to Gumboro and Newcastle diseases, ailments that can be prevented by practising good water vaccination techniques. Although the disease vaccination programme may not show immediate returns on the investment, it will be profitable in the long term in the event of a disease outbreak. Vaccines have strict and prescribed ways of handling them from the manufacturer to the retailer. This function is bestowed on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). You should only buy vaccines from registered veterinary shops under a prescription with advice on how to use them. In case of vaccine failure, report to the veterinary pharmacy where the vaccines were procured from. Never buy vaccines that are expired, always check the date of manufacture and the expiry date of the vaccines before purchase. Vaccines handling and storage. Live vaccines for water application should be stored at between 2-80C in a fridge and regularly monitored using a minimum-maximum thermometer. Farmers can use cool packs, well-insulated cool boxes, or flasks to keep the vaccines cool during transportation. If this cold chain is not maintained, the vaccines will be rendered expired. Do not keep your vaccines in a freezer but in the lower cooler cabinet of the fridge. It is even better for you to buy your vaccines a day before the date of vaccination. The right time to vaccinate Do not vaccinate sick and or unhealthy flock. Should you do that, the bird's immune system may not respond positively by producing enough protective antibodies and the exercise will be futile. Any flock showing unprecedented mortality should be treated first before any vaccination is done. Vaccination schedules are not cast in stone, you can do it a week later when the flocks are in good health. The right time to vaccinate should always be early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the temperatures are cool and away from extreme light or scorching sun. Water management Water is one of the most crucial components in any top-performing poultry flock. A regular water sanitation and water line cleaning programme can offer protection against microbial contamination and the build-up of slimy biofilms in water lines. While biofilms may not be a source of problems to birds, once established in water lines, biofilms provide a place for more detrimental bacteria and viruses to hide from disinfectants and act as a food source for harmful bacteria. Biofilm inside water lines is known as a polysaccharide layer (organic matter). They block the nipples, reduce the pipe volume by 70 to 80 per cent and hence reduce the water flow from the drinking system considerably. The biofilm can "harbour" a lot of microorganisms. If not removed, it adversely affects vaccines and vitamins administered through the waterline. Simple high-pressure flushing will not remove it and neither Chlorination. It is only water acids and peroxides that can remove biofilms. Most viral poultry diseases and parasites can cause massive losses. Here are the most common diseases, Gumboro, tuberculosis, fowl typhoid, Newcastle disease and fowl plague. Whereas vaccinations are key in controlling many of these ailments, clean and acidified drinking water still contributes 90 of the solution to disease outbreaks in poultry farming. Water is an essential element in nutrition, but it can also be a large source of infection and disease. Taking care of the water supply is vital for having a healthy and well-performing flock. Please contact me for more information at watsonmesso@yahoo.com

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