Flock Health Plan Broiler Chickens

Transcription

1 Flock Health Plan Broiler Chickens Date of last review: Note: This template Animal Health Plan and accompanying Fact Sheet on farm animal health were developed by the BC SPCA in consultation with veterinarians throughout BC. The animal health plan templates are intended as a general resource document for farmers and may require modification for some farms. All farmers should have an established relationship with a veterinarian who is available to them as needed and who can assist them with the completion of their animal health plan. General Farm Name: Breeds/types of birds used in production: Please provide the name and contact information of your regular veterinarian(s): Date of last veterinary visit or consultation: Explain reason for visit and outcome, if applicable: 1

2 Thinking About Your Farm Considering all aspects of your farm (location, types of animals, diseases etc.) list the diseases you are managing against: Prevention Briefly explain how you are preventing each of the diseases listed above: Outline Your Vaccination Program: Age Name of Vaccine Given Vaccinated for What Disease Route administered 2

3 Is there any certification of the health and vaccination status of the incoming chicks? Yes No If yes, specify what documents you receive: Are these documents kept on file? Yes No List all health and mortality records kept on farm: 3

4 Disease Recognition and Response All producers with responsibilities to farm animals must have a plan in place to address a disease outbreak or suspected disease outbreak. The two key components of this response plan are: 1) Establishing acceptable thresholds for your farm (e.g. mortality rate in a specific time period, an unexplained change in water and food, loss of body weight). 2) Establishing a clear action plan for each threshold or trigger that include all steps and protocols you would follow (e.g. contact a veterinarian, self quarantine of farm, animal isolation etc.). *Note: The following table (Table 1) has been completed with the minimum response plan options. In addition to these, producers may specify other protocols they follow. Table 1. Animal Health Response Plan Trigger for Investigation An unexplained increase in mortality Mortality >0.5% in 24 hour period Mortality >1% in any given week Response Plan Options - Diagnostics lab and/or vet Onset of clinical signs of disease such as reduced activity, huddling, cough, watery eyes, diarrhea, weakness or paralysis - Monitor birds - Diagnostics - Enhance environmental comfort (e.g. heat, ventilation) An unexplained change in feed/water consumption - Monitor rate of change - Change feed - Supplement with vitamins - Assess pasture (if applicable) and barn environment Other I have read and understand the above Table 1, Animal Health Response Plan Initial: 4

5 Table 2. Treatment Protocols 1 Signs you look for Treatment protocols When would a vet or other expert be contacted? Bacterial infection a) yolk sacculitis b) Ecoli septicemia a) - High early mortality - Mushy, rotten chicks b) - high mortality a) b) - cull - +/- antibiotics - High Dead on Arrivals - Mortality > 1% in 1 st week b) - mortality > 1% per week Coccidiosis - Diarrhea - ill thrift - Amprol - Excessive mortality - no response to treatment Infectious bursal disease (IBD) - May see diarrhea - lethargy - mortality - no treatment - prevent by vaccination, isolation and a good C&D program - Confirm with serology or lab submission Marek s Disease - Paralysis - Skin lesions at processing - No treatment - Prevent by vaccination - Confirm with lab diagnostics Salmonella - May observe diarrhea - May see an increase in mortality - C&D program - Confirm by lab culture Mites - Feather loss or scratching - skin irritation - Diatomaceous Earth Respiratory Disease* ILT, IBV, AI, NDV - Respiratory distress/difficulty breathing - May observe an increase in mortality - No treatment - C&D - Vaccinate if unable to clean out - Confirm by lab submission or serology Ascites/ Congestive Heart Failure Inclusion Body Hepatitis - Water belly - Blue birds - Lethargy - Difficulty breathing - Mortality following cold nights - Increased mortality at 2-4 weeks of age - Increase heat - Mortality > 1% per week - No treatment - Mortality > 1% in 1 week 5

6 Lameness See also BC SPCA factsheet on lameness for signs of lameness and other relevant information a) paralysis b) sick bird (bird reluctant to walk but also showing clinical signs of illness watery eyes, diarrhea etc) a) cull and further investigate cause (e.g. feed error, botulism, Marek s Disease) b) See Table 1 and Table 2 - For all possible causes, contact vet if > 1% of flock affected c) angular leg deformities c) cull d) infectious arthritis (joints feel warmer than rest of leg) d) - treatment with appropriate antibiotic under supervision of vet - prevent by good litter mgt and low ammonia which reduces chance of foot pad dermatitis and hock burns e) rickets (will affect a greater number of birds and present relatively quickly; birds walk gingerly and/or stand up take a few steps and sit down.) e) Supplement with vitamin D or general vitamin supplement and observe for improvement for 3 days f) birds laying on hocks (kinky back) f) cull * ILT= Infectious laryngotracheitis; NDV= Newcastle Disease; IBV = Infectious Bronchitis; AI = Avian Influenza C&D = Cleaning & Disinfection I have read and understand the above Table 2, Treatment Protocols Initial: Are sick and/or injured birds segregated from the rest of the flock? Yes No If yes, for how many days are these birds segregated? 6

7 Are there separate segregation areas for separate flocks? Yes No Describe the area where these birds are segregated (e.g. where in relation to flock, any litter, waterers, feeders, and staff habits when moving between sick and healthy birds etc): What laboratory would birds or samples be taken to for diagnostic testing, if required? Please provide name and address of laboratory: Are you planning on any changes to production and management that may impact on flock health (e.g. a change in strain of chicken raised, a change in feed). If yes, describe: 7