Advantages of biosecurity
Biosecurity may not cost too much money. It is mainly good practice to be used in a farm.
Principles of biosecurity can be applied in both large and small scale animal production units.
Disadvantage of biosecurity
The principles of biosecurity may however be difficult to follow in cases of backyard poultry. If you cannot apply biosecurity in these instances, ensure that animals are kept separated from other poultry.
Principles of biosecurity centers on three key issues:
Isolation
Traffic control
Sanitation
For these principles to be effective in poultry disease prevention, good animal husbandry and management is essential. For example:
Provide adequate feed, water and air.
Remove carcass regularly.
Keep records of flock health.
Have access to adequate housing.
Receive deworming products and vaccination.
Isolation: This involves creating an environment where poultry are protected from carriers of disease such as humans, animals, air, water etc. The practice includes:
-Keep poultry in fenced, closed screened buildings on the farm and in secure cages in the market.
-Practice all-in-all-out management.
-Separate poultry from other animals and other poultry species.
-No standing bodies of water on the farm.
Traffic control: This involves controlling the movement of people (workers, visitors, neighbors etc), animals, equipment and vehicles into, out of and within a poultry farm or market. The practice includes:
-Not allowing unauthorized persons into the poultry farm, restrict entry of visitors into the farm or pen.
-Control movement within the farm and healthy to sick and from young to old.
-Not allowing poultry dealers into the farm.
-Single entry and exit help control movement in the farm.
-Not allowing unauthorized vehicles into the farm.
Sanitation: This involves regular cleaning and disinfection of poultry housing, equipment, vehicles and people. The practice includes:
-Construction of footbath (footdips) at the entrance (door/gate) of the poultry houses and farm.
-Workers wash hands and feet, change clothes and shoes before and after working in the farm.
-Regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment.
-Regular cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses and cages between flock.
-Have a pest control program.
Poultry disease diagnosis
The proper diagnosis of poultry diseases rests on three relevant factors:
-Recognition of vital organs and body structure.
-Knowledge of disease clinical signs and post-mortem lesions.
-An organized plan for examining the bird’s body.
Poultry disease diagnosis involves the following:
-Taking a flock history
-A thorough physical examination
-Collecting appropriate samples and sending to the laboratory
-Post-mortem examination of dead birds
-Disease diagnosis and treatment
Handling disease outbreak in a poultry flock involves the following:
-Observe the animal
-Quarantine the sick birds
-Nursing care
-Diagnosis: This involves case history taking, external examination, blood sample collection, post-mortem examination and histopathology.
-Stamp out hopelessly sick or crippled birds.
-Treatment with appropriate drugs
-Communication.