Celebrity Poultry Farmer

*What is Marek’s Disease in Poultry?*

Marek’s disease is a very dangerous viral disease that affects chickens, especially young birds. It is caused by a virus called herpes virus. This disease attacks the bird’s nerves, eyes, skin, and internal organs. It can cause paralysis, weight loss, blindness, low egg production, and death.

Marek’s disease is one of the most common diseases in poultry farming worldwide and can cause heavy losses to farmers if not controlled properly.

How Marek’s Disease Spreads
The disease spreads mainly through:

Dust and feathers from infected birds

Air inside the poultry house

Dirty equipment

Workers’ clothes and shoes

Contaminated cages, feeders, and drinkers

An infected bird can spread the virus for a very long time, even if it does not look sick.

The virus can stay in poultry houses for many months because it survives in dust and feathers.

Birds Mostly Affected
Marek’s disease mostly affects:

Chicks and young birds

Birds between 6 weeks to 30 weeks old

Layers, broilers, and local chickens

It is more serious in birds that were not vaccinated properly.

Symptoms of Marek’s Disease
The signs can be different depending on the part of the body affected.

1. Paralysis of Legs and Wings
This is the most common sign.

You may see:

One leg stretched forward and the other backward

Birds unable to stand

Drooping wings

Difficulty walking

2. Weight Loss
Affected birds become thin even when feed is available.

3. Pale Comb and Weakness
Birds may look weak and dull.

4. Blindness
The eyes may change color to grey or whitish.

The bird may become blind and unable to find feed or water.

5. Sudden Death
Some birds may die suddenly without showing signs for long.

7. Swollen Skin or Feather Follicles
Sometimes the skin becomes rough with swollen feather areas.

What Happens Inside the Bird
The virus causes tumors inside the body.

It can damage:

Liver

Heart

Lungs

Spleen

Kidneys

Nerves

This is why birds become weak and paralyzed.

How Farmers Can Recognize Marek’s Disease
A farmer may suspect Marek’s disease when:

Young birds start becoming paralyzed

Birds die gradually

Antibiotics do not work

Birds lose weight continuously

Is There Treatment for Marek’s Disease?

NO complete treatment exists.
Because it is caused by a virus, antibiotics cannot cure it.

Antibiotics may only help control secondary bacterial infections.

Once a bird shows serious paralysis, recovery is very difficult.

What Farmers Should Do When They See Marek’s Disease
1. Separate Sick Birds
Remove weak or paralyzed birds immediately.

2. Improve Hygiene
Clean poultry house properly

Remove dust and feathers

Disinfect equipment

3. Reduce Stress
Stress makes the disease worse.

Avoid:

Overcrowding

Excessive heat

Poor feeding

4. Burn or Bury Dead Birds Properly
Do not throw dead birds around.

The Best Prevention for Marek’s Disease
Vaccination is the main protection.
Chicks are usually vaccinated:

At the hatchery

On the first day of life

Without vaccination, the risk becomes very high.

Important Things Farmers Should Know About Marek’s Vaccine
The vaccine helps protect birds from sickness

Vaccinated birds can still carry the virus

Vaccination must be done early before exposure

Poor vaccine handling can make it fail

The vaccine must stay cold and be used correctly.

Dear upcoming Broiler farmers;

Don’t wait until you have a big farm before you start.
Many successful poultry farmers today started with 20,30-50 birds.

Learn from mistakes, improve your management, stay patient with the process.

Happy Sunday guys

Our teaching today

*What is Gomboro (IBD)?*
Gomboro vaccine in poultry farming is a vaccine used to protect chickens from a serious disease called Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), which farmers commonly call Gomboro.

Gomboro is a very dangerous viral disease that affects young chickens, especially between 2–6 weeks of age. It attacks a part of the bird called the bursa, which helps the bird fight diseases.

When this disease attacks:

The bird’s immune system becomes weak

The bird cannot fight other diseases again

Even if the bird survives, it will not perform well later

*What is Gomboro Vaccine?*
Gomboro vaccine is a medicine (given as drops or in water) that helps protect your birds from this disease before it attacks them.

It does not cure the disease — it prevents it.

*When is Gomboro Vaccine Given?*

1st dose: Around 10–14 days old

2nd dose (booster): Around 18–24 days old

Some farmers may adjust timing depending on:

The type of vaccine

Advice from a vet

Disease pressure in the area

*How is the Vaccine Given?*
Gomboro vaccine is commonly given:

Through drinking water

Sometimes as eye drops

*Important Things Farmers Must Know*
Do not give vaccine in dirty water

Do not mix with medicated water

Stop giving antibiotics 1–2 days before and after vaccination

Birds must be healthy before vaccination

Use clean containers only

Avoid sunlight on the vaccine (it is very sensitive)

*Signs of Gomboro Disease* (if not vaccinated)
If birds are not vaccinated, you may see:

Weakness and dullness

Watery diarrhea (sometimes white)

Ruffled feathers

Sudden death

*Why Gomboro Vaccine is Very Important*
Protects birds early in life

Prevents heavy losses

Saves you money and stress

*Simple Summary*
Gomboro vaccine is a must for every poultry farmer. Without it, your birds can get a disease that weakens them for life or kills them early.

WHAT IS COCCIDIOSIS IN POULTRY FARMING

Coccidiosis is a common disease that affects chickens, especially young birds. It’s caused by tiny parasites called Eimeria that live in the chicken’s intestines. These parasites damage the gut and make the birds weak and sick.

What Causes It
Chickens get coccidiosis when they eat or drink food, water, or litter contaminated with infected droppings.
The disease spreads fast in wet, dirty, and crowded chicken houses. The parasites grow best in warm, damp places.

Common Symptoms
Watch out for these signs:

Diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus)
Weakness and sitting down often
Loss of appetite
Slow growth or weight loss
Pale combs and wattles
Ruffled feathers and dull eyes
Sudden death, especially in chicks
If one chicken looks sick, others may also be infected soon.

Treatment
There is no home cure, but it can be treated easily if caught early:

Give Amprolium or other anticoccidial drugs (like Toltrazuril or Sulfonamides) in drinking water or feed — follow your vet’s advice.
Keep birds hydrated and give vitamins in water to help them recover.
Separate sick birds if possible and clean the coop daily.
Most birds start improving within a few days if treatment starts early.

How to Prevent It
Prevention is easier and cheaper than treatment:

Keep the chicken house clean and dry.
Avoid wet spots.
Clean feeders and drinkers daily.
Avoid overcrowding — give each bird enough space.
Quarantine new birds before adding them to your flock.
Ask your vet about coccidiosis vaccination, especially for young chicks.
Remember: Clean, dry, and uncrowded chicken houses mean healthy birds.

Celebrity Poultry Farmer

What Is The Most Dangerous Disease In Poultry Farming?

There isn’t just one “most dangerous” disease in poultry farming—several diseases can wipe out a flock very fast. But if farmers had to name the most feared, it is usually Newcastle Disease (ND) because of how quickly it spreads and the high mortality it causes.

1. Newcastle Disease (Most Dangerou
Why it is very dangerous:

it Can kill 80–100% of birds if not controlled

Spreads very fast through air, feed, water, and people

No cure once birds are infected

Common signs:

Sudden death

Greenish diarrhea

Twisted neck (nervous signs)

Control:

Strict vaccination program (very important)

Good biosecurity (limit visitors, disinfect regularly)

2. Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Entity: Avian Influenza

Why it is dangerous:

Extremely deadly and can wipe out entire farms

Government may cull (kil!) all birds if detected

Affects trade and income seriously

Signs:

Swollen head and comb

Sudden death

Control:

No treatment

Strict biosecurity

Report immediately if suspected

Advice for Farmers
Vaccination is your best protection (especially against Newcastle)

Maintain strict hygiene and biosecurity

Avoid overcrowding

Always isolate sick birds quickly

This is the reason why we keep battling coccidiosis.

They play with the sawdust and it gets to their drinking water and they consume it.

We keep changing it whenever it gets so bad but sometimes nobody is around to change the water.

I think the tripod is not high enough and needed to be elevated a little bit more.

HOUSING AND SPACE MEASUREMENT IN POULTRY FARM

Proper housing and correct space measurement are very important in poultry farming. Overcrowding leads to disease, poor growth, stress, and low production. Giving the right space ensures healthy birds, better feed conversion, and higher profits.

Types of Poultry Systems
There are three common systems:

Deep litter system
Birds are kept on the floor with litter such as wood shavings.

Battery cage system
Birds are kept in cages, mostly for layers.

Free range system
Birds move freely outside but still need shelter.

This article focuses mainly on the deep litter system, which is common and affordable.

Space Requirements per Bird

Broilers (meat birds)
0.06 to 0.1 square metres per bird

Layers (egg production)
0.1 to 0.14 square metres per bird

These values depend on management and climate. Hot areas require slightly more space.

For broilers (using 0.08 m² per bird):

House Dimensions

You can choose practical dimensions based on the total area.

House Design

Orientation
The house should face east to west to reduce direct sunlight.

Ventilation
Good airflow is important to remove heat and moisture.

Roof
Use materials that reduce heat, such as iron sheets with ceiling or thatch.

Floor
Concrete floor is best. It should be easy to clean and disinfect.

Litter Management

Use dry materials like wood shavings, rice husks, or sawdust.

Litter depth should be about 5 to 10 cm.

Keep litter dry to prevent disease.

Equipment Requirements

Feeders
Provide enough feeders so birds can eat at the same time.

Drinkers
Clean water must always be available.

Lighting
Layers need proper lighting for egg production.

Spacing for Equipment

Feeders
About 5 cm feeding space per broiler
About 10 cm per layer

Drinkers
One drinker for every 20 to 40 birds depending on size

Biosecurity

Limit visitors entering the poultry house.

Use footbaths with disinfectant.

Clean and disinfect regularly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding birds
Poor ventilation
Wet litter
Insufficient feeders and drinkers
Poor hygiene

These problems lead to disease outbreaks and losses.