1 KENCHIC VETERINARY HEALTH PLAN COMMERCIAL POULTRY STOCK Guidance notes
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KENCHIC VETERINARY HEALTH PLAN
COMMERCIAL POULTRY STOCK
Guidance notes
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Weekly farm visits
Under practical conditions, there should be at least one visit per flock per cycle for commercial
broiler stock and several visits for commercial layer flocks(during brooding, growing, at lay and at
placement) by either a Vet or Paravet (under supervision of a Vet) . The following areas should be
discussed with the farm owner or manager:
Review health of birds, monitoring of health and records.
Review of vaccination programmes.
Review of management and flock husbandry practices.
Possible areas which need to be addressed may be as follows:
Cleaning, disinfection and sanitary break of poultry houses.
General site hygiene and bio-security for subsequent flocks.
Flock mortality.
The technical rep or Vet may liaise with Regional Manager or feed supplier and will discuss any
areas of concern in relation to health through his/her visits or discussions with the farm
manager/owner. If there is massive mortality: STOP! INFORM AUTHORITY do not enter farm with
100% mortality.
Review health of birds and health records.
A review of health records may help to identify causes of any changes in performance. The health of
each flock should be assessed carefully and any birds in poor condition should be removed.
Health monitoring Broilers
1. Broilers 0-7 days old
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During monitoring of the birds health, specific parameters can be used to gain a detailed analysis of
the health status. They include the following:
Recognition of health and ill health. Regular clinical assessments of birds will help to identify
any significant changes in behaviour, activity or clinical parameters which may need to be
discussed with a vet.
Observation and recording (e.g. weight gain, egg quality, feed and water intake and feather
cover)
Appropriate sample from the flocks (e.g. blood samples, faeces, environmental samples).
Objective: The trainee should be able to recognize ill health through observation and make a record
of the same.
Health Standard
Ailing birds, and any bird suffering from injuries as open wounds, fractures must be segregated and
treated without delay or if necessary, humanely killed.
Unhealed navel/ omphalitis/ yolk sac infection. Signs
Dejection, closed eyes, pasted vent swollen abdomen.
On opening of the abdomen, you find abnormal yolk contents.
Bacterial septicaemia The retained yolk sac can become infected leading to chronic omphalitis.
Treatment
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Antibiotic in accordance with sensitivity tests
Prevention
Good hygiene and sanitation. Multivitamin in the first few days may generally boost ability
to fight off mild infections.
Non starter and ‘ Starve out’ Due to poor brooding and management of feeders and drinking water
Signs
Failure to grow
Treatment
Correction of management problems, soluble vitamins supplementation
Pasty vent Mainly due to early chick stress.
Dehydration Chicks look thin, wasted, under weight, dry legs, and dry beaks.
They have no access to drinking water, probably due to high drinker levels
Ascites Due to poor supply of oxygen and poor ventilation
Signs
Distended abdomen, ‘water belly’
Treatment
Improve ventilation, give vitamin C
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Slipped tendon Caused by nutritional deficiencies, supplement feed by adding Mn, choline
Down deformity
2. Broilers 7-14 days old
Vaccine reaction
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Chronic yolk sac infection
Mal-absorption syndrome
3. Broilers 14-21 days old Gumboro
Rickets
Fatty liver
Necrotic enteritis
4. Broilers 21-28 days old Coccidiosis
Flip over
Gizzard erosion /Black vomit
5. Broilers 28-35+ days old Lameness
Infection
CRD
Ascites
Dermatitis
Health monitoring Layers
The first 7 days infections are similar for commercial layers.
Mycoplasma
Common in multi-age site
Signs
Reduced egg production, respiratory signs, and soiled wing feathers, coughing and sneezing
Treatment
Improve bio-security, antibiotics, deplete
Other Respiratory diseases,
Infectious Bronchitis
Signs
Drop in egg production, mortality, poor egg shell, respiratory signs, and swollen head
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Diagnosis
Laboratory confirmation
Treatment and control
Improve air and water quality, antibiotics after consultation with your Vet for secondary infection,
vaccination
Egg Peritonitis
This is probably the most common infectious cause of mortality in laying hens, frequently occurring
at the end point of any stress on the bird and its reproductive tract. Peritonitis refers to
inflammation of the body cavity where yolk material from the ovary irritates the abdominal organs.
This material can become infected with bacteria, predominantly E. coli, leading to toxaemia and
death. The causes of this condition are many and varied including physical stress, viral disease, and
parasitic disease of environmental shortcomings. It is rarely due to a single disease entity. Reduction
of all such stress helps reduce incidence. In acute outbreaks, antibiotic treatment via the feed or
water may be beneficial in reducing mortality.
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Gumboro disease
Gumboro disease is a highly infectious viral infection which can cause up to 70% mortality in birds
during growing phase. Effective control is achieved by a combination of the use of live vaccines via
drinking water between three and six weeks of age, coupled with good bio-security and effective
disinfection at turn around.
Farm managers should ensure that vaccination programmes are up to date and completed
The vaccination crew responsible for administering vaccines by injection must be able to
demonstrate that they can handle and vaccinate birds carefully without causing unnecessary distress
and that their injection technique does not cause any avoidable damage to the birds.
All vaccines and vaccination equipments should be stored in accordance with the manufactures
recommendation.
Swollen bursa
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Haemorrhages in the thigh muscles
Internal parasites
Internal parasites such as coccidial and nematode worms (round worms and hair worms) can cause
significant morbidity, loss of condition and even death if poorly controlled. Rearing program ensures
adequate control of coccidial challenge sufficient to prevent clinical disease but allow build up of
natural immunity. Paracox 8 vaccine is administered as a prophylactic measure against infection.
Coccidiosis
This parasitic infection of the intestine can lead to gut damage and in sever infestations, death of
birds. More commonly, poor control of subclinical infection reduces feed conversion, or leaves birds
with chronic irreversible gut damage. Such flocks may be uneven or underweight at grading and may
not perform to their full potential at lay. To avoid the use of anti-coccidia antibiotics in feed, and
ensure even and target weight, a live attenuated oral vaccine, Paracox 8 is available. This vaccine is
administered in water as a single dose between five and nine days of age. All
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treatments/vaccinations strategies should be supported with effective bio-security. The use of
disinfectant with proven efficacy against coccidial oocysts will reduce challenge pressure.
Maintenance of good friable litter will reduce oocyst build up.
Worms
Worm infections cause damage to bird’s guts. This may result in a variety of problems including:
Loss of shell colour and strength, yolk colour and egg size.
Poor body weight gain leading to unevenness or sick birds.
Increased cannibalism through vent pecking due to straining.
Death: in very heavy infestations.
There are three main worms:
Round worms (Ascaridia galli)
These are the biggest and most common. They are white, up to two inches long and may be visible in
droppings in heavy infestation.
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.
Birds become affected by picking up worm eggs from the litter, soil or faeces. The worm eggs need
warm, moist conditions to develop outside the bird which is why problems are frequently worse in
the warm periods. Worm burdens can be identified by examination of faeces, culled birds or worm
egg counts on bulk faeces. Effective control is aimed at breaking the cycle of infection. Strategic use
of de-wormers will help to reduce the challenge but this need to be combined with the right bird
density, good drainage, dry litter and removal of heavily contaminated litter and soil around the
house before new birds arrive.
External Parasites
Red mite
Red mite infestation can cause irritation, anaemia, morbidity, depressed egg production, poor egg
quality and even death of birds if inadequately controlled.
Control strategies involve three broad areas:
Treat the house effectively at site depletion.
Monitor the house and birds during the life of the flock.
Prompt treatment of birds and/or accommodation even if only light infestations are
identified.
Breaking the cycle of re-infection when the house is empty is the most effective approach. A variety
of products is now used but not all are licensed for use in animal accommodation or for direct
application to birds. Specialist advice should be obtained for the most effective control.
Environment
Hen house flooring must allow effective cleansing and disinfection, preventing significant build up of
parasites and other pathogens.
Mareks
In well vaccinated birds, the disease is rare. Tumours arise due to imbalance of vaccination and site
hygiene
Common when flocks get into production (POL).
Can only be diagnosed by qualified personnel
Need laboratory confirmation.
E.coli and Salmonellas
Will cause peritonitis
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Need laboratory confirmation.
Treatment based on sensitivity testing.
Cannibalism
Visible sign of another primary problem, mites, worms, high light intensity, high stocking density,
cold spots. Will result into peritonitis and salpingitis
Emaciation
Common, weekly weighing to be emphasized
Thin and sharp keel, bird severely under weight, dehydrated
Impactions
Litter or stones in the gut
Is management or environmental problem
No treatment.
Nutritional deficiencies or toxicities
Need laboratory confirmation.
Keratoconjunctivitis (ammonia blindness)
This is rare in open sided flock houses; however it is caused by ammonia fumes emanating from
poorly managed litter in an inadequately ventilated environment. Birds may become blind as a direct
result of the damage caused to their eyes by the fumes. Soft tissue of the respiratory tract may be
damaged and may affect the performance of the birds.
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Antibiotics and other medication
Where medication is required, this should only be given under strict veterinary control and accurate
records should be kept in an on farm medicine record book.
Medicines should be stored safely and securely and any surplus or out of date materials should be
disposed off after every audit.
Veterinary advice should be sought before any treatments are administered.
Feed and water
In-water or in-feed antibiotics may only be given for therapeutic reasons under the direction of
attending veterinarian.
Signs of ill-health detected by the poultry man should be discussed with the farm manager and
company vet without delay. The decision and choice of treatment will require submission of samples
or dead birds to the lab for veterinary examination. All dead birds must be submitted to the lab. The
company vet will direct the farm manager on the appropriate medicine, dosage regime and duration
of treatment. All such treatments must be recorded. The farm manager must advise the attending
vet on the outcome of such treatments.
The farm manager must record all the ongoing health assessment and must include the following:
Detailed recording of mortality together with any known causes.
Culling and other performance data (e.g. egg production, egg quality, weight gain, feather
cover, water intake e.t.c).
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General site hygiene and bio-security procedures
Disease agents can be introduced on to a farm by birds, people, equipments and vehicles. Control
over birds and visitors entering the breeding and or growing farms will help to eliminate the
likelihood of transmission of the disease to a unit. The farm manager must ensure that farm bio-
security procedures are obeyed and practiced by all without exceptions to limit introduction and
spread of significant disease organisms.
Management must develop and implement a bio-security plan to minimize the risk of introducing
disease onto a site and ensure that the VHP is drawn up, implemented and regularly updated.
Preventive measures may include record of site traffic, visitors entering any units, and where they
have travelled from, including visits to other poultry sites and any illness which could introduce a
disease challenge.
Vehicle which must enter should be subject to wheel spray disinfection and all necessary visitors
should be provided with adequate protective clothing and boots. A visitor’s book should be
maintained and used by all visitors.
Effective, pest control measures will help to ensure that contamination of feed is minimized and the
birds in units are protected: for example covering food storage containers to prevent entry by pests.
Provision of a suitable storage area for litter material, such as shavings which eliminate the risk of
spoilage will avoid future litter problems. Measure should be taken to prevent other animals
entering these areas to avoid contamination.
Feed must not be allowed to remain in a contaminated or stale condition. Feed must be stored in
containers which eliminate the risk of spoilage from pests.
Cleaning, disinfection and sanitary break of poultry houses
All poultry buildings must be effectively cleansed and disinfected before chicks are placed in the
units. Establishment of a cleaning regime which includes disinfection and sanitary break of poultry
houses will help to avoid future health problems. Attention should be to the thorough cleaning of
buildings following de-population and should include complete removal of litter and disinfection of
the unit, removal and cleaning of feeders, drinkers and brooders.
Farm managers must know the normal behaviour of laying hens and understand the signs which
indicate good health. They should be able to recognize impending ill-health in its earliest stages, as
this may enable them to identify the cause and put matters right immediately.
Good hygiene and strict control over the entry of equipment, vehicles and humans to avoid cross-
contamination between sites will help to minimize any new disease challenges.
Review management and husbandry systems
Monitoring the environment to ensure that air quality, temperature and litter conditions have
maintained satisfactory levels helps to optimize the health of the birds up to the time of removal.
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Reviewing the unit will help to identify any need for immediate amendments to management
procedures before receiving a new group of birds.
Farm managers must ensure all poultry men have adequate training levels on practical husbandry
practices. The good health of the birds will be achieved if the poultry men responsible for their day-
to-day care are fully aware of the problems which can lead to deterioration in the bird’s health and
well-being. All newly appointed poultry men can benefit from training to raise their awareness of
potential problems and provide then with the necessary skills to take an appropriate course of
action. The content of training program may include:
Prompt recognition of signs of health and ill health.
Safe use, handling and storage of medicines and vaccines.
Ongoing husbandry and management skills appropriate to the farm.
Carrying out an investigation following disease outbreak
In the event of a disease outbreak which has been identified by increased mortality, morbidity or
changes in performance and is of an unknown cause, information must be obtained to establish the
most likely causal agent. An investigation should take account of the following:
History of the problem.
Signs and symptoms.
Mortality (no of dead birds) and morbidity (no of sick birds) rates.
Selection of birds for post-mortem and examination of the carcasses.
The buildings and management practices should be reviewed to include equipment, ventilation,
lighting, nutrition, vaccination.
Health Plan check list
1 Flock health audit
Bird’s record:
Presence of clinical disease.
General condition of birds
Feather cover
Signs of injury.
Records must be produced:
Mortality to date (Percentage).
Mortality last four weeks.
Per house.
Egg production (%)
Egg quality (recorded problems)
Bird weights
Floor eggs (%)
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Disease problems
Summary of investigations undertaken
Post-mortem results.
Blood sample results
Lab reports.
Last visit follow ups.
General management /environment control.
Litter conditions
Drinkers hygiene
Feeder’s hygiene.
House keeping
Site lay out.
2. Vaccination programme
Age of flock
Vaccine and batch number
Date of vaccination
Route administered
Results of blood tests to assess vaccine response.
3. Medicine use
Is medicine record book up-to-date
What medicines have been used in current flock?
Reasons for use?
Are medicines stored in locked cupboard?
Named person responsible for storage and administration.
4. Bio-security
Bio-security plan in place
Cleaning and disinfection health plan.
Records of problems/ improvements recommended.
5. Buildings
Defects or deterioration
Equipments
6. Health summary for current flocks
Are staffs able to recognize signs of ill-health?
Are staffs aware of the action required to investigate or remedy problems?
Describe any health problems encountered in the farm.
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7. Action plan
Identify areas that have been agreed for improvement.
Indicate who is responsible for anticipated improvement.
Indicate target date for completion.