Newcastle disease has no treatment and is the biggest killer of chicken.
Chickens with Newcastle disease have the following signs and symptoms; their stool becomes green and sticks to their feathers, the inside of their wings have green lines, chickens sneeze and when let out, they usually stay in one area and hardly moves because of weak legs. If the brain is affected, the neck of chickens can be twisted and wings paralysed.
Causes and prevention
Newcastle is caused by a tiny germ called a virus that is spread by sick chickens and other birds. People who have handled sick chickens can also help spread. It is important to note that Newcastle can only be prevented but not cured.
Newcastle can be prevented by vaccination since it helps build immunity. Vaccinated chickens do not get sick if the disease attack. However, the vaccine takes about a week to be effective once administered.
Newcastle vaccines
When using LaSota vaccine one should make sure chickens are thirsty. Water containers should be removed the night before vaccination. The poultry should not have access to water for 2 hours. If possible give them dry feed to ensure they will be thirsty.
Diluted LaSota vaccine has to be consumed within 2 hours as it‘s a live vaccine. For I-2 vaccine, the chickens are vaccinated by putting a drop in one eye of the chicken and is best given in the morning.
Precautions
Remaining vaccines should be poured in a pit latrine and burnt or bury the empty vaccine bottle. Washing of utensils used during vaccination is also important. Vaccines should not be used if they are past the buy date.
