Treatment
ANTIBIOTICS
"Poultry flocks affected by primary or opportunistic bacterial infections need proper medication, not only to avoid economic loss but also to satisfy animal welfare and alleviate suffering and discomfort." R Froyman, Poultry Diseases.
With increased awareness by the consumer and food retailer of the problems of resistance to certain antibiotics and overuse in both the human and animal fields, it behoves us all to be responsible in the choice and use of antibiotics in the future.
In modern poultry farm systems, flock medication can be administered either via the feed or water. Diseased birds are more likely to drink than eat, therefore, in-water medication is probably the desired route in the face of an infection.
Adequate medication is dependent on appreciation of the dose and duration of the treatment. Quantities of antibiotics to be used are calculated either using birds' water consumption or total weight of the flock. It is thus useful to keep records of the water consumed by your birds and a regular check on weights to allow easy calculation. Failing that we can always refer to target charts at the Practice. Remember that water consumption can vary with different weather and climatic conditions.
Further Consideration
All antibiotics (whatever their route of entry) must be logged in a medicines book. If you do not have an existing book the Minster Practice can supply you with one.
Protocols of medication for specific problems have not been suggested but the latest treatment advice is always available from the veterinary surgeons.
SUPPLEMENTARY THERAPY
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when an animal is in a negative water balance, i.e. is losing more fluid than it is taking in. A hydrated bird is in equilibrium. Reduced fluid intake and/or increased fluid loss will result in dehydration. If this situation persists then the bird can be in a life-threatening crisis.
The modern poultry enterprise is dependent on the water consumption graph for the producer to ascertain whether its birds are consuming the expected amount of water. A reduction in consumption can occur if there is a problem with supply. If the availability is not compromised but the consumption is down then this is normally symptomatic of a health problem. Birds can stop drinking when severely stressed e.g. changes in temperature, movement, vaccination etc or when diseased e.g. Gumboro or Infectious Bronchitis challenge.
Extra fluid loss is most dramatic with an intestinal disease egcoccidiosis or necrotic enteritis. The gut wall is damaged during these diseases resulting in a reduced ability to absorb fluid from food material and water thus giving rise to wet droppings/litter. Any disease that results in the birds becoming feverish will increase fluid loss. Snicking and nasal discharges seen in infections like IB, ART and Mycoplasmosis will result in fluid loss through the production of excess mucus.
Electrolytes
To combat the effects of dehydration electrolyte replacers may be added to the birds' drinking water. The powdered electrolytes can cause a problem with blocked lines thus increasing the chance of reduced water supply. This is less of a problem with liquid electrolytes.
Electrolytes are appropriate for use throughout life. Their use is an aid in the management of metabolic disorders associated with dehydration and encourages the establishment of a good immune system and healthy gut to ensure strong, even-sized birds.
The use of electrolytes has also been shown to increase water consumption and, therefore, food consumption. This is especially important in the early stages of growth.
We recommend the use of Mintech electro-vit in cases of dehydration. This electrolyte replacer can also be used as a part of routine management during the rearing period or though the life of the birds.
VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to poor growth and production, poor feathering, emaciation and reduced egg hatchability. Young birds are especially susceptible to show clinical signs associated with vitamin deficiencies. The clinical symptoms would be associated with the deficient vitamin. For instance, a deficiency in vitamin A would produce lesions around the eyes, nasal sinuses, oesophagus and trachea.
A deficiency in vitamin D3 would produce inadequate mineralization of the bones and also thin egg shells.
The use of multi-vitamins preparations at strategic times during the life of the birds can prevent these vitamin deficiencies and also promote growth, health and performance. Mintech multi-vit is a concentrated liquid vitamin supplement that provides the birds with a readily available form of essential vitamins.
COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION PRODUCTS
The principle of these products is to introduce natural, live intestinal microflora into the gut of chicks. When hatched the chick's gut is devoid of bacteria and takes a considerable time to be seeded with bacteria forming the normal healthy flora (up to 3weeks). During this time the gut is at risk of being colonised by pathogens eg Salmonella . The competitive exclusion products markedly reduce the risk of this occurring as gut bacteria are established within a few days. They may also dramatically improve food conversion efficiency by aiding digestion. These products may not only be used in chicks but also later in life after bouts of stress or extensive antibiotic therapy.
The competitive exclusion products are supplied as freeze dried live bacteria. It is important, then, that they are not used alongside antibiotics either in feed or in water. Using these products from day old should negate any necessity for early antibiotics.
ANTIBIOTICS
"Poultry flocks affected by primary or opportunistic bacterial infections need proper medication, not only to avoid economic loss but also to satisfy animal welfare and alleviate suffering and discomfort." R Froyman, Poultry Diseases.
With increased awareness by the consumer and food retailer of the problems of resistance to certain antibiotics and overuse in both the human and animal fields, it behoves us all to be responsible in the choice and use of antibiotics in the future.
In modern poultry farm systems, flock medication can be administered either via the feed or water. Diseased birds are more likely to drink than eat, therefore, in-water medication is probably the desired route in the face of an infection.
Adequate medication is dependent on appreciation of the dose and duration of the treatment. Quantities of antibiotics to be used are calculated either using birds' water consumption or total weight of the flock. It is thus useful to keep records of the water consumed by your birds and a regular check on weights to allow easy calculation. Failing that we can always refer to target charts at the Practice. Remember that water consumption can vary with different weather and climatic conditions.
Further Consideration
All antibiotics (whatever their route of entry) must be logged in a medicines book. If you do not have an existing book the Minster Practice can supply you with one.
Protocols of medication for specific problems have not been suggested but the latest treatment advice is always available from the veterinary surgeons.
SUPPLEMENTARY THERAPY
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when an animal is in a negative water balance, i.e. is losing more fluid than it is taking in. A hydrated bird is in equilibrium. Reduced fluid intake and/or increased fluid loss will result in dehydration. If this situation persists then the bird can be in a life-threatening crisis.
The modern poultry enterprise is dependent on the water consumption graph for the producer to ascertain whether its birds are consuming the expected amount of water. A reduction in consumption can occur if there is a problem with supply. If the availability is not compromised but the consumption is down then this is normally symptomatic of a health problem. Birds can stop drinking when severely stressed e.g. changes in temperature, movement, vaccination etc or when diseased e.g. Gumboro or Infectious Bronchitis challenge.
Extra fluid loss is most dramatic with an intestinal disease egcoccidiosis or necrotic enteritis. The gut wall is damaged during these diseases resulting in a reduced ability to absorb fluid from food material and water thus giving rise to wet droppings/litter. Any disease that results in the birds becoming feverish will increase fluid loss. Snicking and nasal discharges seen in infections like IB, ART and Mycoplasmosis will result in fluid loss through the production of excess mucus.
Electrolytes
To combat the effects of dehydration electrolyte replacers may be added to the birds' drinking water. The powdered electrolytes can cause a problem with blocked lines thus increasing the chance of reduced water supply. This is less of a problem with liquid electrolytes.
Electrolytes are appropriate for use throughout life. Their use is an aid in the management of metabolic disorders associated with dehydration and encourages the establishment of a good immune system and healthy gut to ensure strong, even-sized birds.
The use of electrolytes has also been shown to increase water consumption and, therefore, food consumption. This is especially important in the early stages of growth.
We recommend the use of Mintech electro-vit in cases of dehydration. This electrolyte replacer can also be used as a part of routine management during the rearing period or though the life of the birds.
VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to poor growth and production, poor feathering, emaciation and reduced egg hatchability. Young birds are especially susceptible to show clinical signs associated with vitamin deficiencies. The clinical symptoms would be associated with the deficient vitamin. For instance, a deficiency in vitamin A would produce lesions around the eyes, nasal sinuses, oesophagus and trachea.
A deficiency in vitamin D3 would produce inadequate mineralization of the bones and also thin egg shells.
The use of multi-vitamins preparations at strategic times during the life of the birds can prevent these vitamin deficiencies and also promote growth, health and performance. Mintech multi-vit is a concentrated liquid vitamin supplement that provides the birds with a readily available form of essential vitamins.
COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION PRODUCTS
The principle of these products is to introduce natural, live intestinal microflora into the gut of chicks. When hatched the chick's gut is devoid of bacteria and takes a considerable time to be seeded with bacteria forming the normal healthy flora (up to 3weeks). During this time the gut is at risk of being colonised by pathogens eg Salmonella . The competitive exclusion products markedly reduce the risk of this occurring as gut bacteria are established within a few days. They may also dramatically improve food conversion efficiency by aiding digestion. These products may not only be used in chicks but also later in life after bouts of stress or extensive antibiotic therapy.
The competitive exclusion products are supplied as freeze dried live bacteria. It is important, then, that they are not used alongside antibiotics either in feed or in water. Using these products from day old should negate any necessity for early antibiotics.
