Chicken Disease Prevention and Control Methods and Technical Points: Scientific Management to Reduce Poultry Farming Losses

Chicken disease prevention and control refers to the work of prevention, diagnosis and control centered on the health of chickens, covering multiple aspects such as feeding management, hygiene and disinfection, immunization and disease handling. Because chicken flocks are kept at relatively high stocking density, an epidemic can spread quickly once it occurs, so prevention and control work emphasizes that prevention is more important than treatment, with daily management given top priority.

Common chicken diseases in production can be roughly divided into several categories: viral diseases such as Newcastle disease, avian influenza, Marek's disease and infectious bursal disease; bacterial diseases such as pullorum disease, colibacillosis and fowl cholera; and parasitic diseases such as coccidiosis. Different diseases have different transmission routes and susceptible stages, and their symptoms also differ, so a comprehensive judgment needs to be made based on the flock's mental state, feed intake, droppings and breathing.

To do a good job in chicken disease prevention and control, the first step is to start with the environment, keeping the chicken house well ventilated with suitable temperature and humidity, regularly cleaning out droppings and carrying out disinfection with birds present. The second is to formulate a reasonable immunization program, vaccinate on time against Newcastle disease, avian influenza and other vaccines, and adhere to an all-in-all-out feeding method to avoid cross-infection between flocks of different batches. When introducing breeding stock, healthy sources should be selected, and newly purchased chickens should be isolated and observed for a period before being mixed into the flock.

In actual production, many farmers only start to deal with the problem after noticing reduced feed intake and poor spirits in chickens, often missing the best timing. It is recommended to inspect the flock every day, isolate sick chickens promptly when abnormalities are found, and ask a local veterinarian for diagnosis rather than using drugs blindly. If a major animal epidemic is suspected, the relevant authorities should be notified according to regulations, and cooperation should be given to blockade and disposal work to prevent the epidemic from spreading.