Avian influenza causes low egg production, how to prevent and treat it and increase the laying rate?

    Recently, as the weather turns cooler and the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, diseases have also increased, especially the general decline in egg production in chicken flocks. According to investigations, influenza is the chief culprit behind the drop in the laying rate of chicken flocks.

Chicken flock

    1. Clinical symptoms

    In the early stage of the disease, the flock shows mild respiratory symptoms, but the flock's spirit and feed intake are normal. As the influenza develops, feed intake decreases and the birds become listless. In terms of laying, the first sign is a slight deterioration in eggshell quality, the eggshell color becomes lighter, and the incidence of soft-shelled and deformed eggs increases. As the disease progresses, the flock's laying rate drops rapidly; within 3-5 days the flock's laying rate can fall by 10%-30%, or even more. Some chickens with influenza have feathers around the vent contaminated with droppings, and show a purple comb, paralysis and sporadic deaths.

    2. Treatment plan

    1. Control influenza in the chicken flock

    Control principles: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, prevent secondary infection.

    Medication plan: Jinqi Dafei in drinking water, Jinju Shu'an mixed into feed, for 4 consecutive days. For flocks with secondary E. coli disease, use Juntewei in drinking water together during treatment.

    2. Raise the flock's laying rate

    Treatment principles: eliminate inflammation, soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen, warm the uterine blood, benefit the essence and eggs, promote the development of ovarian follicles and the oviduct.

    Medication plan: Luanguantong in drinking water; give the flock feed supplemented with vitamin E and cod liver oil for 5 consecutive days, then feed supplemented with Hugan Zengdan San for another 10-15 days.

    3. Influenza prevention measures

    After the chickens start laying, every one month, mix Qingwen Baidu San into the feed and give Shen Ganshu in drinking water for 3 consecutive days. Especially in winter, when viral influenza is highly prevalent, this must be used consistently.

    4. Special reminders

    1. When abnormal droppings, respiratory symptoms and declining egg quality are found in the flock, promptly administer the corresponding drugs to the flock so as not to miss the best treatment window.

    2. During treatment of severely affected flocks, individual chickens may show decreased feed intake and egg production, but medication must still be continued; after 4-6 days avian influenza can be effectively controlled.

    3. The occurrence of avian influenza is closely related to the flock's feeding management and whether a good preventive health care program has been established. In addition, disinfection of the flock's living environment must be done well.