Poultry Diseases Management

Description

The two most serious poultry diseases that must be kept out of poultry flocks are Newcastle disease and avian influenza. Although these two devastating diseases are not present in commercial poultry in Australia, the poultry industry is at risk from their introduction. The compulsory vaccination program against Newcastle disease (ND) has helped protect the industry against both endemic and exotic ND. Occasionally diseases occur in Australian poultry flocks. Some are controlled by vaccination or medication strategies. Others are controlled by keeping them out of farms. Some diseases have a greater effect and higher consequences for the bird population than other diseases. One of these, pullorum-typhoid disease, caused such concern that it prompted the creation of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Active efforts by the NPIP to control this disease have proven very successful, and as a result, the disease has nearly been eradicated. However, pullorum-typhoid testing needs to be continued due to continued exposure from imported birds and other sources. Avian influenza (AI) is a respiratory disease of birds. AI viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, as well as a wide variety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl seem to be a natural reservoir/host for AI viruses. Type A influenza viruses are classified according to the severity of illness they cause. AI viruses can be classified into low pathogenic and highly pathogenic based on the severity of the illness they cause in birds. Prevention and control of poultry diseases is one of the most important factor for the profitability of poultry farming business. This book provides a brief overview of the importance of knowing your cost of production, and benchmarking to monitor business profitability plus how to use financial ratios to gauge future viability.