Ways to have disease-free poultry in winter
- The darker, colder months bring a range of issues for Broiler and Layer flock.
- The highest-profile of these is the risk of avian influenza, brought in by migratory birds from Asia and eastern Europe.
- The main risk period for avian influenza is between November and March.
- Flocks that are near larger bodies of water or ponds are at the greatest risk .
b) Birds are at risk from contact with any wild birds and their faeces which harbours the disease.
- Vigilance is paramount during this period and any suspicion of disease, such as mortality in the flock or dead wild birds, should be reported to your veterinarian.
- Some guidance on the precautions that can help limit the impact of seasonal threats:
a) Keep the area clean and tidy, controlling rats and mice and regularly disinfecting hard surfaces.
b) Clean footwear before and after visits
d) Place feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and remove spilt feed regularly.
- Beef up biosecurity:👍
a) Creating a biosecure unit is crucial year-round, but the winter bring additional challenges.
b) Dips should be with disinfectant and It’s also important to realise that disinfectant won’t work once it has been in contact with organic material.
c) Boots should, therefore, be scrubbed to remove all mud and leaves before they are dipped.
d) Wheel washes, likewise, cannot be expected to disinfect vehicles if they are caked in mud so this too must be removed.
e) Spraying disinfectant on birds twice or thrice a week will assist in protecting our birds from bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases.
f) Employees and visitors can make or break effective biosecurity.
- Be sure to use a disinfectant in the poultry farms which is active against most pathogens, effective in the presence of organic material and active under the local.
- Disinfectant properties:👌
a) Disinfectants are substances used to control, prevent, or destroy harmful microorganisms on inanimate objects and surfaces.
b) High speed of disinfection/ low contact time:
c) Broad antimicrobial spectrum:
d) Cleaning ability: for better penetration of disinfectant and its efficacy.
Right Disinfectant for your farm Bio security.👍
- Like Vulkan-S which is Bactericide, Virucide and Fungicide disinfectant at the dose of 5 gms for litre of water in foot dips and change for every 4 to 5 days.
- In case of cleaning of egg trays, water drinkers , feeders and other equipment use
Vulkan-S at 10 gms for litre of water. - Please immerse the equipment in tank with the disinfectant solution and keep for 15 to 30 mts , brush it and clean with fresh water and use.
- Disinfection in the presence of birds , please use Vulkan-S at the dose of 5 gm for 1 litre of water 💦 and spray the solution in the air above 1 meter above birds. Please spray 5ml to 8 ml per sq.ft of the solution.👍
- Please always remember that speedy action will help to protect other flocks in the area.
- Remember that motivation is key to success in keeping the farm biosecure.
- Dr V. Rajendra Prasad
