What are some of the common poultry diseases?
Dear reader: According to statistical data compiled at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) at Makerere University, Coccidiosis is the most commonly reported and diagnosed disease in Uganda with 20 per cent incidence. This is followed by Collibacillosis 11 per cent, Gumboro disease at 10 per cent, New Castle disease at 7 per cent, cannibalism at 4 per cent, Salmonellosis at 4 per cent and worms at 4 per cent and Oomphalitis at 3 per cent.
Other diseases that affect poultry include; nutritional deficiencies, avian leukosis, foreign bodies (metals and wires), necrotic enteritis, pasterurellosis, mycoplasmosis, fowl pox, avian encephalomyelitis, gout, broiler ascites, mareks disease, infectious bronchitis, bumble feet, external parasites (lice, fleas, mites), vaccine reaction and suffocation.
Answered by Samuel Ssewagudde, a veterinary doctor
What causes coccidiosis and how can I to prevent it?
Dear reader: Coccidiosis is caused by parasitic protozoan organisms called coccidia. The disease in poultry is transmitted from one bird to another through infected droppings. These droppings contain eggs (oocysts) of coccidian that are consumed by other birds as they feed on the ground.
The eggs when inside the intestines hatch resulting into adult coccidia that attach to the intestine walls, and start growing plus multiplying in number. The process of growing and multiplying leads to damage of the intestinal walls leading to bleeding, hence the reddish colour seen in droppings of birds suffering from that disease. The other signs include; pale combs, low appetite, and loss of weight plus drop in production.
Use coccidiostats for prevention. However, they can also be used as treatment when administered at a higher dosage. Note; coccidia are capable of developing resistance to a frequently used products, so you must change them with advice from a veterinary doctor. Use coccidiocidal agents for treatment, these can be provided in feeds or water during out breaks of the condition. When administering these products, pay attention to the dosage recommended by the manufacturer and follow it to avoid over dosing (some are highly toxic at high levels) which can be fatal.
Answered by Samuel Ssewagudde, a veterinary doctor
I need help on which crops can be effectively intercropped with bananas?
Before the banana canopy closes, a fair amount of inter row space remains unexploited during the first months. This space can be used for plants which have a short life cycle or which do not compete with bananas. The intercrop should be planted before (for example, coffee or cocoa) or at the same time (for example, legumes such as groundnuts, vegetables, maize) as bananas. Do not plant too close to the banana plant.
Source: Agricultural Research Extension Network
