How a philanthropist uses poultry to help families.

How a philanthropist uses poultry to help families. Julius Matendechere, 57, goes about his business inside a bungalow turned a poultry farmhouse with a lot of ease. He is tending to over 5,000 chicks aged between one and three weeks. #poultry The chicks literally occupy all rooms in the four bedroom mansion, including the store, kitchen, dining, washrooms and any other available space. There are 600 lighting points that provide the chicks with warmth and light,and there are 20 charcoal stoves on stand-by. The farmhouse is located at Ishimkoko village in Butere, Kakamega County. Every week, Matendechere stocks 6,000 kienyeji chicks from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).#poultry Matendechere, an accountant by profession, has perfected the art of brooding, which involves giving special care and attention to chicks to ensure their healthy survival.He ventured into the business three years ago after leaving a lucrative job as a chief accountant in the government. The desire to give back to the people drove him into poultry farming.#poultry Matendechere, said families in Butere Constituency where he hails from can hardly afford two meals a day, so he thought it wise to embark on brooding and give out the birds to groups for free to help improve the living standards of struggling families, more

FEED TREATMENT CAN INACTIVATE THE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS.

Avian influenza (AI) virus may survive in chicken feed thus treatment of feed is therefore of utmost importance. This was stated by independent poultry veterinarian Dr Haroldo Toro at the IPPE. Dr Toro, Professor with Auburn University's Department of Pathobiology, Alabama, USA, revealed results from the first phase of a research project exploring effects of feed treatment including a pathogen control agent* on AI. This control agent is a blend of formaldehyde, propionic acid, terpenes and surfactant. "We tested the viability of one strain of AI in feed after treatment with this agent. Under experimental conditions the product offered an extremely high level of AI virus inactivation (99.9%) within 1 hour," he explained. Migratory birds are widely accepted to be responsible for inter-continental and inter-state spread. The answer as to how individual farm biosecurity is being breached, though, is more complex. There are multiple mechanical vectors under the spotlight, with feed appearing on that list for two reasons. Firstly, migratory birds settle and shed on feed raw materials such as corn. Any protection normally offered by heat in the pelleting process is absent, as layers and turkeys are predominantly fed mash." Dr Lorenzoni believes the pattern of clustered local incidence following an initial outbreak could be linked to the virus's ability to survive in water sources, and the frequent transfer of passerines and vermin between water and stores of finished feed. "We know small birds and rodents are efficient mechanical vectors, and that they are attracted to water and feed, effectively building a bridge between migratory birds and farmed poultry. Our pathogen control agent has the potential to break that transmission route. While we're in the early stages of confirming its residual impact on AI, our experience with Salmonella suggests we can protect the feed against re-contamination for up to 21 days post pelleting." story source; world poultry.

Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program - Agricultural Marketing Service

Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program - Agricultural Marketing Service