Health management and bio security on farms.

The spread of avian influenza can be curbed using strict bio security measures,these will include cleaning,washing and regular disinfection of farm site.

 There are various chemicals that have virucidal potency that can be used to disinfect and decontaminate farm premises. One of such is virkon s,proven to be very effective against bird flu,along side other pathogens.

 The use of virkon S can not be overemphasized because of the tremendous success it has achieved in farms,hospitals food industry etc. There are various applications for the virkon s in various sectors,but we will focus on its uses in the farm.

INVESTIGATING BIRD FLU.

 Look out for these signs:

Sudden onset of high mortality.

Bluish-purplish comb and wattle

Purplish shanks,

Swollen and shut eyelids.

 In case of outbreak;

Do not treat.

Do not vaccinate.

Cordon off your farm.

 Call your vet.

BIRD FLU.

Avian influenza is a deadly viral infection that have been ravaging poultry farms around the world.The rate of spread of the virus is very alarming, and although wild birds have been implicated in the spread of the virus,contamination and contact are routes for persistence of the virus in and around farms. The role of bio security in the prevention and curbing of spread of infection on farms cannot be over emphasized,the bio security protocol must be simple,easily adaptable and measurable.The simplicity of the protocol will ensure strict compliance, the bio security measures include the following; 1) Do not allow visitors to your farm. 2) vehicles coming into the farm area must pass through a vat filled with disinfectants or the vehicle is hosed down with disinfectants . 3) The farm area must be cordoned off and must have foot dips at entrance. 4)The farm hands must enter the farm site from an entrance then go to cloak room to change into clean disinfected farm wear. 5)The tools and personal wear must be washed daily and disinfected. 6) The drinkers must be cleaned and disinfected. 7) floors drains and working surfaces are to be cleaned and disinfected. 8)isolate new birds to farms ,in a separate section of farm. 9) The birds can also be sprayed in the cages using disinfectants. 10)The water source must be clean and cool, ensure the purity of water source by treating with chemicals. 11)Litter management is very important,scrap and pack litter and dispose properly. 12) Proper disposal of dead birds, and other waste matter from the farm. 13) The farm environs must be clean and devoid of grasses,or stagnant pools. 14)The disinfectants used in foot dips must be changed at regular intervals. Bird flu is indeed deadly and zoonotic depending on the strain of virus involved.The first major sign is high mortality of sudden onset,then bluish-purplish combs,shanks and crop region,swollen lids and diarrhea. When you observe any of such signs,do not start treating or vaccinating; just restrict access to your farm and notify your vet.

AGRIBUSINESS: HOW TO MAKE JUTE RICE FOR YOUR DOG.

Jute rice!!! what is this ??? well its a highly nutritious delicacy that your dogs will love.
Jute rice is a recipe made from jute leaves and rice.

Jute leaves also called "EWEDU", is a highly nutritious vegetable packed with vitamin A,C,E; this makes them very valuable in preventing free radicals from damaging body cells. The vitamin A,also has added value in improving vision,vitamin C also helpful in stimulating appetite.
   
Jute leaves has a low caloric value,so you can incorporate it in diet without excessive weight gain, these leaves can also be used to control diarrhea.
   
The benefits of jute leaves are enormous and these can be prepared and served with other feed stuff to provide a balanced meal for your dog.
                       JUTE RICE; INGREDIENTS;jute leaves. fish/meat/chicken. rice.
   
                                          PREPARATION.
  1) pick the jute leaves,rinse and set aside.
 
  2) Get a pot,pour some water in it,add stock/fish broth.

   3)Add a pinch of potash.

   4) Add the jute leaves and allow to boil.

    5) After 5 minutes, use the kitchen broom to cut the jute leaves,continue beating with the broom until all are cut to small bits and with a drawy texture.

  6)Put the jute leaves aside. next prepare the already washed and cooked meat or fish; these can be cut to bits, or cubes or shredded,and set aside.

A SIMPLE DOG FOOD RECIPE.

Home cooking for dogs is now the in-4thing because of the rise in rate of pet food recalls.However some dog lovers have been cooking for along time to ensure food safety and growth of their pets. Home cooking has numerous advantages such as availability,freshness, safe,cheap and no chemical additives.The home cooking has an added advantage if you have a dog with special needs such as liver disease,kidney disease,obesity and cancer,the knowledge of nutritional impact on these conditions are vital. Home cooking can be fun if well planned; here is a fast recipe for your dog. Noodles and eggs. INGREDIENTS; 1)NOODLES. 2)EGGS. 3)OIL METHOD. BOIL NOODLES AND SET ASIDE. PREPARE THE EGGS, COULD BE BOILED OR FRIED. THEN MIX THE EGG WITH NOODLES AND SERVE OR CUT THE BOILED EGGS UP IN CUBES AND MIX WITH NOODLES.

BENEFITS OF FIBER IN DOG FOOD.

Fiber in dog's food play a vital role in digestion and metabolic functions.Fiber add to the bulk of food aiding its easy passage through the digestive system.It stabilizes blood sugar hence its of tremendous benefit in diabetic patients.The fiber content in diet allows the dog to eat as much as they want without additional calories,thus its a key ingredient in weight loss diet for obese dogs. Sources of fiber are cooked sweet potato,oat-bran,pumpkin,sweetcorn,spaghetti ,bread,rice,and macaroni.Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of fiber ,these include raw carrots,apple,orange,peas(cooked) and spinach. Fiber in the diet performs following functions; 1) prevents constipation; it adds to bulk of food thus aids the passage of food through the digestive tract preventing reduced peristaltic movement. 2)treatment of diarrhea; fiber in diet normally results in firm stools. 3)fibers can be soluble or insoluble; thus some fibers are fermented into fatty acids to aid digestion and also repair injured colon cells. 4)reduces anal gland problems; insoluble fibers makes stool firmer,this assists emptying of the anal gland as the dog passes feces easily. 5)weight control; increases content of feed hence the dogs are fuller without adding more calories. 6)prevents fluctuations in blood sugar levels,thus making fiber a key ingredient in diabetic dog's food. Fruits are natural sources of insoluble and soluble fiber,majorly these fruits are of immense value when skin is not removed such as apples,carrots and peas.The best way to incorporate these will be to prepare home cooked meals,so that you can mix and match food types that bests suits your dog's requirement. A nutritious fiber rich diet will be oatmeal with milk,blended with fish to produce a healthy balanced meal.

HOW TO START PREMIUM PROCESSING CHICKEN BUSINESS.

The clamp down on importation of frozen poultry to the country has called for strategic planning and marketing of our home grown poultry.The poultry farmers are working relentlessly to ensure that the products are readily available and very affordable.

 The farmers have joined forces with marketers,cold store operators and various marts.The farmers sell their products to the marketers,who in turn process for customers in the market.This is usually for customers that prefer to buy live chicken and process them.

The cold room operators have gone a step further,by liaising with farmers and procuring live chicken which they process and package the chicken for customers.These are presented as full chicken,quarter or half chicken,they also sell in parts depending on the taste of the client.

These type of home processed chicken can easily be recognized as the feathering points are still visible,unlike the machine plucked birds. There are other marketers that buy from large farms where production processes s are automatic,the birds are plucked with large machines,processed and packaged for sale in supermarkets,cold rooms and shopping malls.

The poultry farmers have you covered irrespective of your choice,so patronize your local farmers. The major advantages of homegrown "NAIJA" CHICKEN is that they are not pumped with growth hormones or preserved with carcinogenic chemicals,they are also not loaded with antibiotics and they are so tasty.