Tips for raising healthy antibiotic-free poultry.

The demand for antibiotic-free (ABF) poultry is growing fast, and what was once considered a passing trend has become a well-established, health-conscious requirement for consumers worldwide. However, ABF production presents challenges for meat producers, who are taking distinct approaches to its development, with different results. While some producers still have difficulties in controlling health challenges, others have had success, due to improvements in housing and changes in feeding, management and health programs. There are some key factors to consider in ABF production. Factors to consider in antibiotic-free production. 1) Managing nutrient intake: A common misconception in ABF production is to focus only on controlling intestinal diseases. These are the main health issues when any ABF program is implemented, but the reality is that they are the consequences, not the causes, of the real problem. Excess nutrients, especially protein and fat, may not be well digested and absorbed by the bird. Undigested feed increases microbial proliferation in the ceca, leading to potential infections. Appropriate digestibility is key to broilers’ overall health and can help control microbes and resultant diseases. Factors such as a balanced diet and sufficient water consumption are essential to improve digestibility. A pH between 5 and 7 and water temperature between 16C and 25C are ideal conditions to support the activity of most enzymes. To further strengthen the effect of endogenous enzymes, additives such as phytases and xylanases can be added to feed. Moreover, to guarantee acidic crop, organic acids are a good option. Feed management plays an essential role too. Grain damage and conditions that could increase mold and insect spoilage must be minimized and, at the same time, fat storage conditions should be frequently revised in order to control rancidity within the feed mill. 2) Improve house environment, biosecurity: Proper environmental conditions are the foundations of effective ABF poultry production. Optimum temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity according to the age, phase of production and size of the birds should be considered. Environmental stress, due to heat, cold, very dry or very humid air could affect feed intake and intestinal motility, causing reduced digestibility. Lighting programs may also affect feed intake, motility and digestion. Light intensities lower than 10 lux and 4 to 6 hours of total darkness per day improve feed conversion ratios, indicating slower feed intake and better digestibility. Good house ventilation is key for ABF programs to maintain litter moisture below 30 percent, and to minimize condensation and caking. Flock management is also important to allow the flock more space during the brooding period. This helps avoid excessive stress. 3)Maintain flock health: Preventing coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis are normally the main concerns during ABF production. In cases where no anticoccidial medications are allowed, coccidiosis vaccines and litter management are the principle controls. Cocci vaccination for broilers has been applied in traditional poultry production systems and new ABF programs for years, in many countries. The appropriate feeding regime and use of feed additives, such as the eubiotics category, may help maintain healthy microflora adding to flock health. Control of other intestinal parasites, worms and poultry diseases that affect intestines and immunity is also necessary. Practices including bio-exclusion, limiting visitors, vehicles and equipment that visit other poultry farms, and bio-containment, isolating the houses, controlling insects, rodents and entry of wild birds and other animals to the houses, can help prevent new infections. Continue

MANAGING COCCIDIOSIS..

The critical control points for coccidiosis vaccination; effective way of preventing coccidiosis is vaccination at the hatchery. This only works out well if critical points are taken into account, both at the hatchery as well as in a later stage at the farm. Vaccination against coccidiosis in poultry is used mainly in broiler, turkey and layer breeder flocks; commercial layer flocks reared on the floor; antibiotic free broiler operations and some commercial turkey grower operations. Vaccinating with a coccidiosis vaccine in conventional broiler operations is increasing rapidly, mainly in a rotational programme with anticoccidials, aiming at restoring the sensitivity of the anticoccidials. Whatever the reason for vaccinating with a coccidiosis vaccine, attention to some critical factors will determine the level of success of establishing immunity against coccidiosis. The Eimeria parasites given during the vaccination, infects the intestinal cells and continues its life cycle inside the gut. Un sporulated oocysts are excreted after 5-7 days, time depending on the species; the oocysts then sporulate outside the bird, given suitable environmental conditions exists, and after re-ingestion of these sporulated oocysts, infection and another cycle starts. Immunity development is dependent on successful excretion of oocysts and then re-ingestion of these sporulated, shed oocysts. Depending on the species, 2-3 infection – excretion – re-ingestion – re-infection – excretion cycles are needed to acquire a protective immunity. The vaccination process and the subsequent development of immunity, irrespective of the application method, can thus be divided in two distinct areas:Vaccine application – ensuring uptake of the vaccine . Post vaccination management include ; ensuring suitable environmental conditions for sporulation exists and recycling of the sporulated oocysts takes place. The necessary procedures to actually check the vaccine uptake by the birds must be implemented. Adding a suitable dye to the vaccine makes this possible by randomly checking boxes/crates of chicks/poults and see if they actually did ingest the vaccine by counting the number of chicks/poults in the box/crate with a dye colored tongue . . Recycling of oocysts and monitoring Oocyst shedding can be measured by sending faecal samples to a lab that is capable of doing an Oocyst Per Gram (OPG) count. Faecal material (NOT bedding) is collected at specific intervals post vaccination: Chickens at days 7/14/21/28 post vaccination Turkeys at days 6/13/20/27 post vaccination. The first count should be positive. This is a very good indicator of the effectiveness of the vaccine application done in the hatchery as well as an indicator that the vaccine that was used was still infective. The second count should show a significant increase. This is used as an indicator that the shed oocysts sporulated and re-ingestion of these shed oocysts have taken place. Read more ;world poultry.

BACTERIAL ENTERITIS.(BE)

Elanco Animal Health recently released findings from its fourth Bacterial Enteritis Global Impact Assessment (BEGIA), providing interesting insights into ongoing trends of a disease that continues to have important impact on our industry. Diarrhoea and wet litter continue to be the signs most often associated with emerging cases of Bacterial enteritis. The 15 years of survey data shows that prevalence and economic loss continue, while early intervention becomes a more favored strategy as the years progress.This year's results confirm those from past surveys: BE continues to be very prevalent and affect productivity and profitability. However, the 2015 survey also found some interesting new trends in treatment initiation, perhaps as a way to mitigate these effects. Diarrhea and wet litter continue to be the signs most often associated with emerging cases of BE (as found in 2005 and 2010), and necropsy and clinical observation are still the preferred methods for diagnosing BE. High percentages of respondents associate coccidiosis with increased prevalence and severity of BE . Most respondents agree that preventing coccidiosis reduces issues at processing .The vast majority of respondents agree that BE prevalence and severity increase when coccidiosis is present. The respondents were asked to look at photos of intestinal lesions and assess at what stage of illness they believe economic damage was likely to occur. About half of respondents said they believe economic losses begin at the earliest stage, an increase of nearly 5% compared to 2010 .Survey participants also seem to be trending toward earlier flock treatment, with most indicating they would initiate treatment when 5-20% of the flock is infected (Figure 8). In 2010, respondents favoured treatment when 20-30% of the flock was infected. Treatment options remain the same;More than 75% of the survey participants indicated that their end-customers (retailers, slaughterhouses, exporters, etc.) preferred a preventive approach to managing disease. When it comes to preventing BE, respondents find water treatment and growth-promoting feed additives the most effective options, this trend that hasn't changed since 2010 . story credit; World poultry.

BROILER DISEASES AND VACCINATION.

COCCIDIOSIS Coccidiosis vaccines are often used in poultry raised without antibiotics, as well as in conventional production systems that need to rest in-feed anticoccidials and restore their efficacy. The vaccines tend to be used in summer months, when coccidiosis pressure subsides with increased ventilation. Producers then switch back to ionophores or synthetic anticoccidials. In the US, broiler operations have the option of administering coccidiosis vaccine in ovo or on day 1 as a hatchery spray. According to Cookson, the choice hinges on company philosophy, production history and management preferences. “The challenge with coccidiosis vaccine is getting good, uniform delivery of the vaccinal oocysts that stimulate the bird’s natural immune system,” Keck says. “Zoetis research with alternative delivery systems has shown great potential for helping improve vaccine and flock performance.” He points out that the first round of coccidial vaccination is a transition period for most growers as birds often face both a field and vaccination challenge. “Because vaccines may initially cause short-term intestinal disruption and loss in performance, they are usually more practical and cost-effective to use in medium to large birds that have more time to make up for lost weight,” he says. E. COLI E. coli has become more prevalent in broiler operations that have discontinued antibiotics in the hatchery. In addition, cool, wet weather increases the incidence of secondary E. coli infections due to respiratory challenges from IBV, ILT and ND. E. coli can also occur as a primary disease. As a day-of-age spray, E. coli vaccination is gaining acceptance for its ability to help decrease mortality, particularly in large birds, Keck says. Read more here;http://poultryhealthtoday.com/broiler-vaccines-more-diseases-more-decisions/

BROILERS AND COCCIDIOSIS.

A new technique to manage coccidiosis;http://poultryhealthtoday.com/fine-tuning-rotation-plan-can-improve-coccidiosis-management/

COCCIDIOSIS -MANAGEMENT IN POULTRY VALUE CHAIN.

New methods to cut losses in poultry value chain due to coccidiosis has been unveiled.The new management entails http://poultryhealthtoday.com/new-coccidiosis-management-initiative-aims-reduce-losses/

COCCIDIOSIS AND ITS IMPACT ON POULTRY PRODUCTION.

Coccidiosis a common disease of poultry caused by the parasite Eimeria of various spp. The Eimeria spp,affects the intestines of birds,some species affect the caeca and others the small intestine. Chicken affected by coccidiosis show varying signs depending on the type of the organisms that are affecting the birds. Birds are generally in bad conditions,depressed,blood in droppings, inappetence,pale comb , wattles and diarrhoea. Chicks with coccidiosis have a hunched appearance, droopy wings and the chicks appear sleepy.The effect of coccidiosis in chicks could result in acute epidemic,wasting and sudden death. The effect of coccidiosis on birds has huge impact on the production rate of the birds because of how the parasite affects the intestines and the resultant effect on feed absorption , conversion and weight gain. Coccidiosis in early stages of chick development impairs absorption and utilization of feed ,which compromises the growth of the birds and feed conversion. This results in high production cost because more feed will be required to meet market size. The exposure of chicks to live vaccine early in production will protect birds by stimulating the production of protective immunity to coccidiosis by delivering uniformly low doses of live oocysts. The use of vaccination to prevent coccidiosis is a better strategy compared to in- feed anticoccidials, or oral medication of coccidiostats. Eimeria parasite causing coccidiosis are often resistant to anticoccidial drugs, which results in sub-clinical coccidiosis often associated with in-feed anticoccidials and oral coccidiostat. Sub-clinical coccidiosis , occurs when in- feed anticoccidials lose effectiveness,thereby causing the coccidial oocyst to leak into the flock. The effect of sub-clinical coccidiosis are increased mal-absorption,reduced effective caloric value and high production cost.The coccidiosis challenge is one that impact poultry production,so it is of paramount importance to use vaccination as a tool to prevent coccidiosis. Vaccinate your birds against coccidiosis!!!!!. protect your birds!!!!. The pic are showing post mortem lesion of chicken affected by Eimeria spp. A) shows the distended small intestine with mottled haemorrhage. C) shows a cut section of the ceca showing heamorrhages . B)the severe pallor of pectoral muscle as a result of haemorrhage in ceaca.