What are the prevention and treatment methods for common diseases of ostriches?

Ostrich farming is becoming more and more popular now. Ostrich meat, eggs and so on all have relatively high nutritional value. In recent years, with the development of their nutritional value, the ostrich market has also grown larger and larger. Moreover, ostriches have strong disease resistance and a low incidence rate, so many friends have also followed the trend and started raising ostriches, preparing to profit from ostrich farming projects. However, a low incidence rate does not mean there are no diseases, so below we bring you the common diseases of ostriches and their prevention and treatment.

1. Newcastle disease

Symptoms: Affected ostriches are listless and unable to stand, sneeze constantly, keep tilting their heads and necks backward, and their eye conjunctiva begins to swell. The swollen mucosa has a lump the size of a chicken egg, breathing becomes difficult, and they begin to breathe with their mouths wide open while continuously shaking their heads; this is to expel the mucus from the respiratory tract. Finally, because the head and neck have no strength, they collapse on the ground and die of exhaustion.

Prevention and treatment: There is still no effective treatment for Newcastle disease. The main approach is still to use vaccines for immunization in the early stage. For the specific method of using the vaccine, you can ask the local agriculture bureau, but an oil vaccine immunization must be injected once every year.

2. Yolk sac inflammation

Symptoms: Yolk sac inflammation mainly occurs in chicks within one month of age. Its main manifestations are that yolk absorption slows down, the color changes from yellow to gray, and it begins to become flocculent and watery, accompanied by a foul odor. The bacteria causing this disease are mainly Escherichia coli, and there may also be Pseudomonas aeruginosa and others. It is mainly caused by improper management that allows bacteria to invade, such as unsuitable temperature, a humid environment, and poor ventilation. These external factors will all reduce the ostrich's resistance, creating conditions for pathogens to take advantage of the opportunity and invade.

Prevention and treatment: The first step is to establish a purification system for the reproductive system of breeding birds. During the season when breeding birds are about to reproduce, an appropriate amount of antibiotics should be added to the feed. This improves the resistance of breeding birds and prevents inflammation. It is generally used in laying hens once a month. After the chicks hatch, disinfection work must also be done well, the bird house must be managed well, the temperature should be adjusted appropriately according to the weather, and the ground must be kept dry.

3. Colibacillosis

Symptoms: Affected ostriches first show poor appetite and stand alone away from the flock. When driven to the edge of the feed trough, the sick birds will peck at the feed but will not swallow it. Their body temperature gradually rises above 40 degrees, their wings spread out, they open their mouths to breathe, and symptoms of lameness and head shaking appear. Most sick birds will have unilateral conjunctivitis. The feces they pass are loose, their eyes are dull, and they lie on the ground unable to get up, struggling and dying in the later stage.

Prevention and treatment: The first step is to strengthen feeding management, improve the sanitary conditions of the bird house, isolate the sick birds, and add bacitracin zinc to the feed for about half a month. Ostriches are relatively sensitive to drugs and only respond to medicated paper discs, while they are not sensitive to other drugs. Therefore, choosing a sensitive drug is the key to treating colibacillosis.

The above are three common diseases of ostriches during the ostrich farming process. Of course, there are more than just these; there are also aspergillosis, fowl pox, and so on. When farming, everyone must pay attention to the occurrence of these diseases. Although the disease incidence rate of ostriches is relatively low, many diseases will still occur if management and environmental hygiene are not paid attention to. Special attention should be paid to keeping the bird house dry; it absolutely must not be humid. This article is for reference only, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.