Hygiene The following simple hygiene measures can help in disease prevention:
� Droppings, feathers and dead birds are sources of pathogens and should be removed from overnight housing and the free-range compound, and then properly disposed of. This will also reduce the incidence of external parasites.
� New arrivals to the flock should be isolated. Birds bought or received as gifts should be quarantined in a basket or cage for at least 15 days; if they remain healthy, they can then join the flock.
� All new arrivals should be treated for ectoparasites and endoparasites as well as vaccinated on arrival if possible.
� Sick birds should be isolated or slaughtered promptly, and dead birds buried.
� The litter in the poultry house should be turned frequently and changed if wet.
� Overnight security baskets should be put in the sun to dry properly or suspended near a fire during the rainy season.
� Feeders and drinkers should be cleaned frequently.
� Broken pots used as drinkers should be heated over a fire before refilling.
� The poultry house or basket should be regularly disinfected every two months.
Housing Simple improvements and maintenance can be carried out when the poultry house is not in use. Important factors in good housing are:
� Ventilation: if poultry baskets are used for overnight housing, they should not be covered with cloths or sacks. Huts, coops and baskets should not be placed near dunghills or pit latrines.
� Proper spacing: overcrowding should be avoided, and numbers of poultry should be restricted to the space available. Weaned chicks and growers should be kept in separate overnight housing. Laying and brooding nests should be left undisturbed.
� Separate species: it is better to keep only one species of poultry but if this is not possible, the species should be housed separately overnight to avoid the spread of disease.
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