BIRD FLU.

The bird flu saga continues, as the virus has been identified in birds in backyard poultry in Washington state and Oregon. The highly pathogenic strain has been identified in broiler chicken and turkeys in BC,Canada.The viral infection has led to culling of 42000 birds in Japan as @ 30/12/14, leading to banning of poultry products and birds originating from japan. The banning of poultry products has also extended to the U.S.A as some countries have opted out of importing from them. A second wave of infection has been reported in Washington state, in a farm near the foci infection, and this has been traced to some ducks moved from the foci of infection to this new farm.The 2 farmers are friends so they exchange birds,without knowledge that the ducks had the virus,leading to sudden deaths of birds in this new farm. This has prompted the UTAH,U.S. agric and wildlife authorities to issue a bird flu alert to back yard poultry farmers in the state; advising them to increase their bio security measures.The Utah state is on course of a migratory bird route,thus they enjoined farmers to keep wild birds away from poultry. BIRD FLU UPDATE; based on the flu infection in some parts of the world, the most logical thing will be to be pro active and step up bio security in our farms. BIO SECURITY; the following actions are advised. 1) Restrict movement to your farms. 2)Make a full strength of bleach- water solution and use as foot dips, tyre wash, use in drains ,also use to clean surfaces in the farm. 3)Dont bring in birds from unknown sources, and dont transfer birds between farms. 4) keep poultry away from wild birds and water fowl. 5) Report any case of sudden high motalities in your birds. Be alert and sensitive; step up bio security. Thanks to the poultrysite.com.

Harvesting the EcoPOD.

The composting cycle is 8-12 weeks,after which the ecopods are opened and the material is left static for 30-60 days. The mature compost adds nitrogen to soil. There is no need to cover the curing pile as the material is stable from the composting,once this is over the product is screened and put to use. Waste management has always been an environmental problem, but going with the green environment campaign,AG BAGS are necessary tools to a ensure a safer environment.

AG BAGS.

Ag-bags are flexible,efficient and reliable agricultural storage systems.The bags are safe and effective for composting,making silage,storing feeds . When ag bags are used for storage of feed,it makes the feed easily digestible by the animals ,highly metabolized in the animals ensuring rapid growth and development. The ag-bags used for composting is a better recycling method of waste,as it avoid expensive land fill costs and it gives a greener solution to waste management. HOW THE AG BAGS ARE USED FOR COMPOSTING.;

Pest free zone.

DISEASE causing pests abound in the environment resulting in the use of pesticides .Pest are categorized and hence method of control is based on our focus . Insects are a nuisance in the environment resulting in disease.They also cause economic losses in homes, offices , feed stores and farm lots. There is a new handy pack of insecticides that help eliminate these pest; its B OLIVE INSECTICIDE.This will eliminate cockroaches,bugs,flies, spiders,wall geckos and other crawling insects. This potent insecticide can be used as a fumigant for offices,warehouses,garages, and stores.

FRESHEN UP YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

Its a fresh burst of sunshine; freshen up your environment with B OLIVE AIR FRESHENER. The air freshener deodorizes the environment and leaves a long lasting fragrance.

ELECTRICITY IN A BAG.

The ecopod is an alternative to the other familiar biogas generators.The compost in the pad can be linked to a gas storage tank for onward channeling to homes,rural areas, e.t.c.

ECO PODS.

Waste from the following sources are of value in the ecopod, although these need to be sized,mixed and moist for onward transfer to the ag bags.

WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Waste management is simply the method of handling waste such that it becomes a resource and not a pollutant. There are various channels of waste generation such as farm waste, animal waste,human waste and municipal solid waste(MSW). The waste generated are processed in various ways ,and the products are used in different ways.The major way of processing waste is composting,although this is carried out using various methods. Composting can be done in tanks with 3 holes, a revolving drum , in bags, plastic bags or laid out in designated points. The benefits of composting are enormous and these include : 1) reduces the cost of waste collection and disposal. 2)reduces pathogenic organisms,harmful insects and weed seeds that are released to the atmosphere. 3)eliminates the need for commercial fertilizers. 4)it enriches the soil. 5) it can be used to produce bio-fuel. The making of compost is now easy,inexpensive and reduced labor cost with the use of AG-BAGS CALLED ECO PODS. The bags are made of recycled plastic and are sold with all necessary parts to make an EcoPOD® compost. The controlled compaction is used for all types of materials, densities, moistures , and particle sizes. EcoPOD® is adjusted with its own valving and aeration controls to individualize the composting process, yet use a minimal amount of labor and supervision. Our system is reliable and efficient with capacities to match any requirement.Ag-Bag Environmental offers a patented technology with a high degree of process control. Composting is a choice in this age as it reduces material volume and produces products that enhance soil structure and benefits new growth. The Ag bags have the following added advantages; odor control, vector control,leachate control, reduced cycle time of composting,and reduced site area. The AG BAGS ARE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY EASY AND SAFE TO USE. The bags can also be used for feed storage, salt storage and as a silage bag.

Enhancing poultry value and performance with drug-free ration.

There are so many schools of thought on the use of drugs, growth promoters in animal feed, with every thought claiming a better advantage over the other. The use of in- feed medications has been an issue for a while, but more and more people are opting for animals raised without in-feed medication , thus resulting in many major feed millers switching to feed production without medication. The C.E.O of Fischer feeds in Ontario, Canada is one of such; he decided to stop using in-feed anticoccidials in his feed mill ,his strategy was to put more emphasis on nutrition ,particularly in the early stages of chick development and to keep coccidiosis in check, relying more on a live- oocyst vaccine. Dr. Rae Fischer, says he “hates putting chemicals and antibiotics in feed”, he told CocciForum magazine in 2005 (issue 11).He says “I want the emphasis to be on good nutrition programs with quality raw materials, ingredients and processing.” He added that poultry raised without antibiotics is what consumers want and the producers should embrace drug free production. Dr. Fischer was prompted to shift to non medicated feed production for the following reasons; a) Consumer demand: more and more people are clamoring for birds raised without antibiotics. b) Better implementation of science: Dr Fischer felt that medications in feed were not the best way to keep enteric diseases at bay. c) Market report: there has been a lot of feedback stating that this results in resistance after prolonged use. Dr Fischer further explained that the use of antibiotics may result in insult to livestock thus resulting in animals with diseases that are not visible to the eye but are subsequently passed on to consumers. Feeds without medication shifts focus to good management, nutrition and vaccination as a means of promoting good intestinal health.

FEEDING OUR ANIMALS.

The saying you are what you eat holds true for you and your animals.Animal husbandry is basically to produce animal products for growth ,development and profit, hence the management of this animals is such that they reach the appropriate market weight and reach maximum productivity.This has led to a lot of management techniques that gets the animal/products to the market but the consumers bear most of the brunt . Animals are fed medicated feed because of pathogenic bacteria,some of these bacteria develop resistance ,multiply and spread to their products and invariably to those that consume them. The livestock farmers also give growth promoters to their animals to enhance rapid growth and productivity,while the animals reach market size within a shorter time,the residues of these are consumed in the animal products ; this has been linked to early sexual maturity,obesity and certain hormonal dysfunction in children. Animals have intestinal bacteria,but instead of giving medicated feed, proper management practices and balanced nutrition will be a better way to secure intestinal health of animals and also preventing infection in man. ANIMAL HEALTH= HUMAN HEALTH : YOU ARE WHAT YOUR ANIMALS EAT. The pictures shows the chain reactions that results from resistance to antibiotics.( thanks to C.D.C) http://rpc.icerocket.com:10080

SALT! SALT!! SALT!!!

Salt, a common household ingredient but performs much more than kitchen functions. Salt,(NACL) can be used in a variety of ways,to keep pathogenic bacteria at bay and also prevent ant infestation. Salt aside from its common kitchen use to flavor foods it can also be used in the following ways; a) preservation of food: salting and drying of meat/ fish is an effective means of food preservation. b)odor control: rubbing salt on chopping board and knives used to cut fish removes fish odor.

 Salt can also be used to control ant infestation, ants though tiny can be so annoying not to mention the damage done to property,vegetables,clothes and also a stress factor on the farm.Salt can be used to kill ants by making a full strength salt-water solution and spraying the areas in the home. 

 Salt is also beneficial in the raw form(unmixed), large amount of salt can be sprayed along the course of the ants, on the anthill and around the entrance of the house. The un mixed salt is of importance in the farms especially in poultry and also in barns.

The salt is sprayed around the farm perimeter,at the entrance and exits of the farms.The drains round the farm,and poultry houses are sprayed with the salt to prevent ant infestation. Salt can also be used as a potential weed killer, just make a full strength of salt water solution and spray in the affected areas for 3 days. Salt is important in feed formulation if we desire to get the best out of these animals: in poultry if the required amount is not present in feed, this can result in pecking in birds,also it can cause a sharp drop in egg production in layers. Salt deficiency in pig ratio results in hairless pigs. Salt in fish farming is of value to treat protozoa diseases and gill worms.Salt does more than giving food taste,its handy on the farm as well. Salt it out,its simple,handy and non toxic. SALT IN THE MIX# TREAT IT#PREVENT IT.

HOW TO USE BLEACH IN BIO-SECURITY PROTOCOLS.

BIO-SECURITY is basically keeping germs out of your production site.

There are so many agents that are used but i want to talk about the use of bleach in the poultry and generally on the farm.

The bleach -water mix can be made in full strength and used in the foot dip.The bleach-water combo will need to be replenished in the foot dip every 4 hrs.

The bleach-water combo in medium strength can be used to wash drains,and work areas in the farm.Cars entering the poultry can have the tyres sprayed with full strength of bleach-water combo.

Clothes,overalls ,boots and tools should be cleaned with bleach-water combo.

 Proper disposal of waste,dead animals and contaminated feed is very important.

The bleach- water combo can be sprayed in the trash area to prevent swarming of flies and also kill pathogenic bacteria.

 ITS in your hands now:use it and stay safe. CLEAN IT# BLEACH IT# STAY SAFE. WISHING EVERYONE A SUPER CLEAN CHRISTMAS  EVERYONE A SUPER CLEAN CHRISTMAS.

BIRD FLU.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza has been reported in Canada,backyard poultry in Oregon(U.S.A) ,some parts of Europe and India. The cases has involved humans aside waterfowl, crow and the chicken.The strains identified varies with the countries affected but majorly the H5 variants has been identified. BIO-SECURITY measures should be strictly complied with,and monitoring/surveillance should also be emphasized.The importation of poultry products at this time should be avoided,day old chicks,dressed poultry from such affected countries should be prohibited. The bird flu saga is still so fresh in our memory,lets hype up our BIO-SECURITY MEASURES AND BE ALERT. The is gradually coming to an end and the outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus is trending according to a report in THE POULTRY SITE.COM: 2014 Ends with Bird Flu Fears As we approach the holiday season, highly pathogenic (high-path) avian flu outbreaks in poultry and other birds are much in the news across North America, Europe and Asia. In the last week, India has confirmed that the virus affecting waterfowl in Chandigarh is the high-path H5N1 type. While several cases in people in the area are suspected, none has yet been confirmed. Suspicious deaths of wild crows in the state of Haryana are also under investigation. A new outbreak of avian flu of an H5 subtype has been reported in a village poultry flock in central VietNam. This is thought to be the H5N1 variant. Canada has now reported a total of 11 outbreaks with the high-path H5N2 virus in commercial poultry and one in a backyard flock, all in the same region of the province of British Columbia. THE United States has reported its first outbreak of high-path H5N8 avian flu a backyard poultry flock in Oregon, while the H5N2 virus has been detected in wild ducks in Washington state, close to the border with Canada. Following a new outbreak of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza at a duck farm in Germany in the state of Lower Saxony, the federal agriculture ministry has ordered a veterinary inspection of all ducks and geese before transportation. In mid-December, there was an outbreak of high-path avian influenza of the H5N8 subtype in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy but there have been no further cases since then.

HOW TO USE BLEACH AS A DISINFECTANT.

The cleaning exercise continues; another household product that I find so useful and very effective in killing germs is BLEACH.

The common household bleach does more than you know, look@ how I use it. Sodium hypochlorite(bleach), normally used to whiten clothes, it’s a powerful disinfectant. I use a mixture of bleach and water to clean floors, kitchen units, table tops and kitchen floors.

  Undiluted bleach is used  to clean toilet bowls  and  clean bathroom walls. A mixture of the bleach and water  to wipe bathroom floors, doors  sink ,brush holder and wash shower curtain .

How to use vinegar as a cleaning agent.

Clean it, clean it and clean it again. Cleaning has always been my passion, I just love to clean. I cherish a neat and beautiful environment; l can’t stand filth at all. My cleaning passion dates way, way back when I was a teen, if anything needs a shine, I’m ready to clean. My passion made me use a lot of unconventional products to achieve my goal of super clean, germ free environment. Back in the days, our kitchen cabinet provided the agents that I used for my cleaning experiments. Cleaning our sitting room was a herculean task, we had terrazzo floors with some areas covered with Persian rugs; I will sweep the entire living room, then I will wash the terrazzo floors with detergent in water mixed with vinegar, and I will rinse same with clean water laced with vinegar. The vinegar-water combination gives me a super shine and also disinfected our living room. The furniture was a mix of upholstery with massive wood works as arm rest and stand; this I also clean with the vinegar-water combination. We also had a bar made of colorful tiles, this I also cleaned with the vinegar- water combo. The vinegar- water combo was made in different concentrations depending on where I want to use it. Once a stain was on the rug ; I damped a clothed with scouring powder applied to the spot, and cleaned the spot with a double strength of vinegar-water combo, and like magic ,no more stains. Vinegar is normally used to clean vegetables, salads, also as food preservatives, but in my hands: Vinegar is my magic solution, I add to laundry soap in washing machine. My kitchen table gets a wipe with my vinegar- water combo. I use vinegar to clean and disinfect wounds; I also use it as a flea repellent. When I was experimenting in those days never knew I would make commercial products. The nature of my work warrants safety at all times so #hand washing# has always been my practice. I wash after I touch my patients, after a visit to a farm, and any procedure, and as soon as I get home I was my hands again. Hand sanitizer are always in my bag just in case, I’m in a tight spot where there is no water, I always play safe. I remember an occasion during the EBOLA CRISIS, some friends were trying to figure out which sanitizer to buy, they asked me which was so effective this is what I said; get a bottle of vinegar, buy liquid gel used for making soap, buy isopropyl alcohol(I.P.A) and fragrance, color and bam you have your own hand sanitizer. Vinegar ( acetic acid ) is an antibacterial that kills over 100 pathogenic organisms including the E.COLI (0157). A food scientist @ the VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE: noted that acetic acid (vinegar) kills 100 organisms but if you use it with HYDROGEN PEROXIDE it will get rid of 100,000 organisms. This combination is of great value in the food industry especially the meat industry. The meat vans are washed ,then sprayed with acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide is also sprayed then vans are left to dry. THE ACETIC ACID/ HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ARE NOT MIXED IN THE SAME CONTAINER, BUT ARE USED ONE AFTER THE OTHER TO PREVENT RELEASE OF TOXIC GAS. VINEGAR IN MY HANDS, so much more than you imagine.

BIO SAFETY.

Clean it,wash it,disinfect it and discard it. Clean it; clean surfaces. Sweep and mop floors. Clean walls,windows and drains. Remove cobwebs. Wash floors,walls and table tops with soap and water,detergent or other cleaning agents. Disinfect walls,floors,table tops and drains. Discard it. Discard any rotten items/ dead animals/ disposed of promptly Discard/dispose garbage/refuse promptly. Discard animal waste properly . Keep washing hands,and be safety conscious. Home made disinfectant; get some home made bleach,put in clean squirt bottle and mix with water.This is good for floors,drains and table tops.

BIO-SECURITY.

BIO-SECURITY : KEY TO DISEASE PREVENTION.

Poultry health management is important due to emergence of highly pathogenic diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI) in different parts of the world.

Bio-security measures are vital for better performance in the poultry sector. Bio-security has three major components: isolation, traffic control and sanitation. When new chicks arrive, it must be quarantined for three weeks in respective farms. Sick birds must be kept in isolation.

 Different age /sex groups are placed separately to minimize the risk of disease spread. Poultry health management and treatment procedure must organize means of isolation.

New birds represent a great risk to bio-security because their disease status is unknown. They may have an infection or be susceptible to an infection that is already present in the birds.