Skip to main content

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CONTRACTING ANIMAL DISEASES: ZOONOTIC DISEASE: FARMERS SAFETY

Working with farm suit
In the face of this pandemic known as Coronavirus (Covid-19) all livestock farmers need to be extra careful in handling of farm animals as most animal diseases are zoonotic.

WHO defines zoonoses as diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. A zoonotic agent may be a bacterium, a virus, a fungus or other communicable disease agent. At least 61% of all human pathogens are zoonotic, and have represented 75% of all emerging pathogens during the past decade

Read: PROLAPSE AND EGG BOUND IN LAYING HENS
          
    RECOMMENDED VITAMINS FOR POULTRY PRODUCTION

AVOID SUDDEN DROP OF EGG PRODUCTION IN YOUR LAYERS

Now that you know you can catch disease from your animals – how do you prevent illness in the first place? Really, there are a few very simple things you can do and we have divided the preventative information into two parts:

Health professional with farm boots and hand gloves

1. Livestock/Poultry
2. Human


Livestock/poultry
• The flock needs to be kept in a relatively clean environment. Areas where the animals roam should be hosed or washed to keep poop from accumulating. 
• Frequent removal of damp litter and poop very important in the warmer months to prevent bacterial growth. 
• Twice yearly washing down of the inside of the farm, perches, nest-boxes etc. and hosing down of high traffic areas. A solution of equal parts vinegar and water does an effective job. 
•Clean eggs and other animal products as necessary after collection and keep in the fridge or any clean and safe area. If eggs are dirty they should always be cleaned with water that is hotter than the egg, or use special wipes made for egg cleaning. Filthy eggs should be tossed out. 
•Compost your manure properly if you use it on the garden. Flies are attracted to dung heaps, so turn it regularly to help the breakdown of materials.
If you have used the manure on the garden veggies, don’t eat them until they are washed, bacilli can live for a very long time. 
• Good nutrition is very important. Use vitamins like sharigrow or any electrolyte powder in drinkers as needed. Let them outside as frequently as you can so they can get their vitamins from the sun and grass. 
•Effective rodent control – just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean you don’t have them! Rodents can carry a number of diseases, so be on the lookout for the telltale signs of infestation. 
• Don’t forget your animal health check. Parasites such as lice and mites can weaken their immune status leaving them open for infection.
Try to buy your livestock seeds from reputable firms, preferably ZULINKX AGRO & VET. SERVICES whose seeds are tested for a variety of diseases including salmonella.

Human
• Good handwashing – always! If you can’t wash your hands directly after handling your hens, use an antibacterial hand rub. I keep one in the farm and use it frequently.
     • Use hand gloves and farm boots while           walking and working around the farm
• Don’t eat/drink in or around the coop.
Try to keep a set of farm clothes separate from your wardrobe. Use them for cleaning the coop and your livestock chores.
• Children under five should be carefully watched. Toddlers have a habit of putting things in their mouths.
• If you butcher your animals, make sure you do it neatly. The carcass should not be contaminated by intestinal residue.
• Cook meats thoroughly and refrigerate leftovers in a timely manner. Do not eat meat that has been sitting around at room temperature for longer than a couple of hours.

Note:
The major culprit remains industrialized farming, processing and sales- there are many steps in the process that can lead to illness, especially if ‘short cuts’ are taken.

If you suspect your flock suffers from any of these infections, an animal health professional can take a swab and send it for analysis. If positive, infections can be treated with antibiotics.  
We hope this has enlightened you and reassured you that your flock is not going to make you sick provided you adhere strictly to these sensible precautionary steps. We want you to enjoy your flock and keep you and yourselves healthy.
Reach us for your farm services and consultations;
+2348021165624
+2348094503557 or
 Email

 Follow us by clicking on the 3 parallel lines at the top right corner of this page on your device

Comments

Recommended articles

CATFISH DISEASES AND TREATMENT

Apply for ZULINKX livestock farmers financial empowerment Grayish film on the skin Cotton wool disease   ( Columnaris):  Grayish-white film on skin, damaged fins, ulcers, yellow to gray patches on gills, tissues on head may be eaten away. Must be  treated immediately  with Over-the-counter antibiotic medications. It is a very contagious disease. Disinfect tank, rocks, net, etc. Anaemia disease :  Affected fishes has  Swelling of head with   small bodies,  bulging eyes,  black in colour. This is attributable to overcrowding. Treat with  OTC antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline,a void over-crowding, feed adequately. Over crowded fish in the pond Cracked head diseasae : This is the most common catfish disease in ponds. The cause of this disease is not yet understood, although it is believed that adverse water quality resulting from over feeding may be the main factor as well as unbalanced nutrients in the diet.  This disease can detected at early stages,

ADVANTAGES OF CAMBOROUGH PIG BREED OVER OTHER BREEDS

We supply all your needs, reach us for age specifications Recommended article; Best egg booster every poultry farmer needs Our expectant mothers  Camborough boar King boar (Watch: Our fast growing weaners  ) Camborough pigs are a product of a cross-breeding system known as criss-crossing- an alternated use of boars of two or more breeds on the female stock produced in a herd. This distributes good characteristics from many different breed lines involved and these are related to meat fat distribution (carcass quality), disease resistance, larger litter size and others. The animal is usually white in colour but, in rare cases, may show characteristics of particular breeds involved in the criss-crossing. (Mating going on in our farm: https://youtu.be/GkKGu0L6aQE ) The Camborough is bred to maximize the kilograms of weaned pigs per year with excellent feed efficiency. In addition, the Camborough can be bred typically three weeks earlier than other genetics, resulting in a

COMMON DISEASES OF RABBITS: PREVENTION AND CONTROL:RABBIT FARMING CHALLENGES

Rabbits like every other livestock,are affected by different kinds of diseases some of which affects the Farmer's maximum or expected yield. Some common diseases and problems seen in rabbits can be prevented by ensuring you have an understanding of what a healthy rabbit requires and the subtle signs that can tell you your rabbit is sick. Rabbits are domesticated mammals, but it should be remembered that they are very closely related to wild rabbits, and as such will hide signs of illness until they are very sick as this would make them “easy prey” in nature. We encourage you pay close attention to your rabbit, a correct diet, up to date vaccinations and regular health checks to ensure you pick up the early signs of problems, and prevent developing diseases. Ear canker and skin mange Uterine tumor Myxomatosis Below are common diseases of Rabbits and how it can be controlled. 1.  EAR CANKER AND SKIN MANGE(SKIN SORES ) External parasites like mites causes this conditi

POULTRY MANURE AS SWINE FEED: FEEDING PIGS WITH POULTRY LITTER

Poultry litter Sharivit Litter collection The increase in human population and the competition for food between man and animals leading to the sharp rise in the cost of animal feeds, farmers are now looking for ways to reduce feed costs and the use of poultry litter is an effective way of reducing production cost in animal production particularly swine production. Poultry litter  is a mixture of droppings, feathers, bedding material, feeds and water in the chicken house before or after cleaning. • Poultry litter is profitable for use either as manure or animal feed since it maximises total nutrient input. • Poultry litter is an economical and safe source of protein, minerals, and energy for pig. When chickens are raised in deep litter  houses, a layer of material(bedding materials) is used to cover the ground to give the birds a suitable surface. Types of bedding materials to use in poultry houses if it's to be fed to pigs. Basically, there are two types of bedd

EXOTIC BREEDS OF PIG: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A BREED

Piglets management The determining factor to a successful swine production is the choice one makes while choosing which breed(s) of pig to start a farm or use to crossbreed existing ones.                      ... Emmanuel Ugwu (Ozuluonye ) Below are some exotic breeds that one can chose from to be the fathers and mothers of his farm Camborough pig breed Camborough The pig is known for High emphasis on lean meat % and conformation, Very robust hybrid boar, Good libido, Exceptional carcass musling, Superb feed conversion ratios The breed is bred to maximize the kilograms of weaned pigs per year with excellent feed efficiency. In addition, the Camborough can be bred typically three weeks earlier than other breeds resulting in a higher total number of piglets per sow per lifetime and lower production cost. Berkshire pig breed Berkshire They are black with white points (legs, face and tail)  Dark-colored skin reduces sunburn Berkshires are known for fast and ef