Gamefowl Disease Management and Prevention

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For a gamefowl farm to be productive and profitable, gamefowl breeders need to set a good and sustainable disease prevention program. The research, development, and planning involved in creating such a program for the optimal health of your chickens may not show immediate returns on investment, but in the long run, it will be worth it as the risk of disease is ever-present.

It pays to be safe because diseases can lead to reduced performance in growth rate, breeding, feed conversion, and egg production. For gamefowls, diseases can also affect their appearance and agility. 

When creating a good disease prevention program, keep these three primary goals in mind: 

  • Increase gamefowl immunity through medications that are effective against the disease that is being treated.
  • Proper sanitation and stress management to lessen gamefowl’s exposure to harmful organisms that may affect their health. 
  • Use effective medications advised by a licensed veterinarian. 

Let’s take a closer look at the sources of common chicken diseases and how gamefowl breeders can prevent them. 

Where do these diseases come from? 

Prevention will always be better than cure, and the best way to practice precaution is to go to the root of the problem. Many factors can contribute to the diseases that your flock may acquire, and here are just some of them: 

Humans

Whether visitors or your farm’s staff, people are often one of the major sources of disease transmission. Diseases can easily spread through clothing, hands, and footwear.

Infectious Agents

Infectious agents, also called pathogens, are living organisms that cause illnesses and can be spread from one bird to another. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, external parasites such as lice and mites, and internal parasites like worms and coccidiosis. 

Poor Farm Hygiene Measures Resulting in A Stressful Environment 

Poor farm conditions and improper sanitation can easily lead to transmissions. The environment your gamefowls move in dictates how they grow. Living in bad conditions can stress them out, which can reduce their ability to resist disease.  

How do I prevent diseases from breaking out?  

Preventative measures are your first line of defense against diseases that may cripple your flock and your business. 

Here are some measures you can include in your disease prevention program: 

Vaccination 

Vaccination can easily prevent several gamefowl diseases. Follow an approved vaccination program or make sure that they are appropriately vaccinated if you’re buying your stock. For this, you can request vaccination certificates from your supplier when purchasing your pullets or chickens. 

Here are some poultry and gamefowl diseases that currently have vaccines: 

  • Chicken Anemia
  • Fowl Cholera
  • Fowl Pox 
  • Avian Encephalomyelitis
  • Infectious Coryza
  • Infectious Laryngotracheitis
  • Infectious Bronchitis
  • Infectious Bursal Disease
  • Newcastle disease

When vaccinating, it is important for gamefowl breeders to: 

  • Read, understand, and follow the instruction on the label, including storage directions 
  • Use disposable gloves, needles, and syringes 
  • Properly dispose of all unused vaccines, needles, and syringes 
  • Keep your area clean but don’t use disinfectants or detergents near your equipment. 

When it comes to vaccines, check with your supplier or your veterinarian for availability. 

Sanitation 

A clean and sanitized farm is a safe farm. One of the key biosecurity measures for disease control is effective cleaning and disinfection that must be carried out from time to time. This is to reduce the potential build-up of pathogens. 

Here are other tips for sanitation: 

  • Use approved disinfectants such as chlorine dioxide and peracetic acid for disinfection and sterilization. 
  • Pay close attention to farm equipment entering the farm, disposal of dead birds, management of poultry manure, cleanliness of farm staff, and the sanitation of your flock’s drinking water. 
  • Keep the area around your poultry sheds clean and away from plastic and glass bottles, tins, drums, vegetation, and food waste. 
  • Isolate and quarantine new birds in a clean, dry, and separate place to prevent infectious agents from spreading to other flocks
  • Keep any equipment around the farm clean and sanitary. 
  • Do not stockpile manure. Remove promptly and dispose of these properly. 
  • Manage rodents by eliminating their habitat and access to water and feed resources. 

Nutrition

Proper nutrition helps improve the physical performance of your gamefowl and also aids in enhancing their immunity to prevent diseases and illnesses. Gamefowl feeds play a major role in your flock’s overall development; hence it is important to avoid settling for cheap alternatives. 

Ensure your flock eats a well-balanced diet by giving them the best gamefowl feed available in the market. Include supplements like vitamins and minerals which will help boost their immunity and reduce the risk of illnesses and age-related conditions. 

Check on your flock daily. If and when you spot diseases or parasites, take action straight away so that you can prevent them from spreading and protect your gamefowls. Contact your local veterinarian for more information about identifying, preventing, and treating gamefowl diseases. 

For more tips on disease prevention, visit our YouTube channel and listen to the different seminars spearheaded by our expert Salto Gamefowl Specialists and our Alas ng Salto. 

 

References: 

Poultry disease prevention and management (2016, August 1). Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 August 2021 from https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/livestock/poultry/diseases-health-management/maintaining-healthy-flock/disease-prevention-management 

Prevention of Poultry Disease. University of Missouri. Retrieved 5 August 2021 from https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g8903 

Module 3: Common Poultry Diseases and Prevention Methods. InPoultry. Retrieved 5 August 2021 from https://www.inpoultry.com/module-3-national-poultry-improvement-plan-rules-and-forms 

Success Story: Alas ng Salto Jeyshi Dimafelix

Articles, Feature Articles

“Dito sa farm, 100% nourished by Salto lahat ng manok from breeding to conditioning.”

Alas ng Salto Jeyshi Dimafelix is the owner of Livestrong Game Farm in Balayan, Batangas. Determined and intelligent, he is an entrepreneur who cares about his business and earns the respect of his people. Jeyshi is a leader who found success in the gamefowl industry through a combination of Salto feeds and an excellent breeding practice. He breeds three main bloodlines – Sweaters, Gilmore, and Boston Roundhead.

The Game of Genetics

What started him on this path? According to Jeyshi, his passion for gamefowl breeding is itself a product of genetics. It was his grandparents that first influenced him, and he entered the industry after college. In 2011, he started formally growing gamefowls. Jeyshi practices the process of line breeding wherein he selects his broodstags by following good physical standards like having healthy cheeks, red eyes, erect combs, football-shaped body, closed tail, and low-set spur. His loyal buyers and friends use his gamefowls for fighting and also to establish their breeding program.

Best Breeds, Best Gamefowl Feeds

Jeyshi acknowledges the importance of providing only the best feeds to his flock. A gamefowl’s peak performance can only be achieved by combining an excellent breeding system with quality feeds. When a Gamefowl Specialist from Salto Technical Team visited his farm and convinced him to try Salto, he was so impressed by the results that he never looked back.

Jeyshi started on Gallimax 21 Breeder Ration, fortified with Selenium, Vitamin E, and now with Liver ProTech. Gallimax 21 Breeder Ration provides additional nutrition needed for optimum egg production, helps in increasing resistance against stress and diseases, and provides stronger power and stamina. “Nag shoot-up yung production ko. Na-minimize yung problema sa breeding stage and ranging stage,” Jeyshi expressed.

Then to improve bone balance and muscle development of his chicks, he uses Salto Chick Booster, which has ImmunoDigest properties that ensure a healthier gut for full absorption of essential nutrients. Salto Chick Booster enhances the development of a stronger immune system, increasing protection against diseases. Jeyshi observes that feeding Salto Chick Booster improves the health of his chicks and increases their vigor and robustness. He also noticed a significant decrease in the mortality of his chicks.

Following the recommended feeding program, he moves to Salto Baby Stag Developer to combat the stress of the transition from brooding to ranging. Feeding his gamefowls with Salto Stag Developer develops their bones and muscles and ensures an ideal body frame. Jeyshi recommends using Salto Power Pellet as he observed it minimizes the stress of his stocks. It gives gamefowls stronger power and faster reflex during the fight.

Jeyshi Dimafelix is a methodical breeder, and his business model revolves around continuous improvement in his operation year after year. He is a breeder who relishes a good fight. By partnering with Salto feeds, he aims for his gamefowls to achieve their best fighting form, and his successes speak for themselves. One of his proudest moments was when they nearly won the 2016 Bakbakan National Championship. They scored 11 wins and only a single loss. His breeds consistently perform well when fighting against local or even competitors from Manila – a testament to the strength of his breeding program and the quality nutrition of Salto Feeds.

Jeyshi acknowledges the support provided by Salto Gamefowl Specialists; qualified and competent source of reliable technical advice regarding proper farm management, good vaccination and animal health program, quality breeding management, and excellent nutrition – the pillars of Salto Diamond Program. Through his top-of-the-line breeding program, utilization of Salto feeds diet, and excellent technical support provided by the Salto Gamefowl Specialists, Jeyshi reached the top of the cockfighting game.

“Kahit hindi ako Salto endorser, ito pa din ang gagamitin ko kasi tested ko siya. Andyan lang ang Salto family to help you. Kampante ka na you have partners for production,” Jeyshi Dimafelix stated.