Newcastle is one of the common and serious diseases of poultry that need management to minimize losses.
Newcastle is a viral disease that affects a large percentage of poultry birds like chicken, ducks, turkey and geese. Just like many viral diseases, Newcastle can be vaccinated against but there is no cure for Newcastle disease. The vaccine may also not function in case of vaccine failure.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms are related to the birds‘ respiratory system and include sudden death, weakness, depression, greenish diarrhoea, swelling of the face, twisting of the neck, leg paralysis, laying chicken may start laying shell less eggs or soft shelled eggs and the egg production reduces.
These symptoms are similar to those of avian influenza hence a lab test is required to confirm the disease. The most recognizable symptom is when the hen places its head between its legs and begins to move in circles.
Home made treatments
Onion and garlic is chopped/ ground as finely as possible and mixed in a large dish/container. Few table spoons of honey are added and the mixture placed in a cool place where there is air circulation overnight as is ready for use in the morning. The syrup should be given to the chicken once a day everyday for 10 days.
The other remedy can be made from oregano, lemons and rosemary. The solution is prepared by infusing rosemary and oregano leaves in hot water separately using 250ml of hot water. Add a table spoon of oregano and a table spoon of rosemary leaves and then leave them to boil for 2 minutes. Mix both infusions in a large container and juice from 4 to 5 lemons. You can also add some honey. Once the ingredients are mixed very well, mix the solution with clean water in a proportion of 150ml per litre of water and serve the birds.
Newcastle prevention
Newcastle can be prevented by confirming that the chicks you buy have been vaccinated against Newcastle, give vitamins to the birds regularly, quarantine sick birds and always clean the poultry house. Also burn/burry chicken that die of Newcastle.
