Newcastle is one of the major disease of poultry and can cause up to 100% loss if not managed.
Newcastle is a viral disease and viral diseases do not have treatment but can only be managed. Newcastle usually combines with other diseases for example chronic respiratory disease and Escherichia coli. Prevention of the disease is by siting your farm away from others, having strong bio security on the farm, preventing strangers from entering your farm, avoiding stress of the birds and vaccinating at the right time.
Signs of Newcastle
There are 3 strains of Newcastle disease. The less virulent is the lentogenic strain and often times causes mild respiratory signs eg cough and digestive signs eg greenish diarrhoea.
The mesogenic strain is more serious and causes a decline in egg production.
Velogenic strain is the most serious one and can cause about 80% death in 3 days and it comes with issues with the nervous system eg twisting of the neck and uncoordinated movement.
Management of Newcastle
To manage Newcastle disease, boost the immunity of the birds by reducing all stress elements. Give the birds multi vitamins especially vitamin c because these are anti stress.
Treat all secondary infections and give the birds quality feed.
