Disease is the enemy of poultry farming. Disease outbreaks in a flock not only affect growth, development, and egg production, but in severe cases can also cause large numbers of deaths, resulting in significant economic losses for poultry farmers. Winter temperatures are low, and respiratory diseases are frequent in flocks. Disease prevention and control are therefore a top priority in poultry production. The key points for preventing and controlling diseases in fully enclosed chicken houses in winter focus on four areas.
I. Environmental Control
Humidity regulation: Appropriate humidity helps reduce the amount of dust and pathogenic microorganisms in the air. A high-humidity environment can easily develop inside an enclosed chicken house. Poultry farm managers should take appropriate measures to keep the relative humidity in the chicken house at 55%-65%.
Temperature control and ventilation: Temperatures that are too high or too low can affect the growth and egg-laying rate of chickens. In winter, ensure that the temperature inside the chicken house is suitable and avoid excessive temperature fluctuations that may cause stress in the flock. At the same time, maintain good ventilation to reduce the buildup of harmful gases inside the house.
II. Feeding Management
Nutritional supplementation: Winter temperatures are low, and chickens use more energy to maintain body heat, so their feed intake increases. Poultry farm managers should consider appropriately increasing the energy and protein levels in the diet to improve the chickens’ physical condition. The energy level should reach 11.5-12.5 megajoules per kilogram of feed, the protein level should remain above 17%, and the calcium content should be around 3.5%.
Lighting management: Laying hens have specific lighting-duration requirements. In practical production management, artificial control of lighting duration is often used to regulate the egg-laying performance of laying hens. In addition to duration, light intensity is also an important factor. Laying hens need sufficient light intensity to remain active and promote egg production. Use lighting equipment of appropriate intensity to ensure uniform illumination throughout the chicken house. For laying hens at different production stages, changes in the lighting cycle also need to be considered. For example, appropriately extending the lighting duration before the start of laying can bring forward the onset of egg production.
Three. Disease prevention and control
Regular disinfection: Thoroughly clean and disinfect the chicken houses regularly, especially disinfecting people and equipment entering and leaving, to prevent the accumulation and spread of pathogens. Chicken manure, feed residue, dust, and other substances inside the chicken houses provide breeding grounds for pathogens, so the environment must be kept clean.
Vaccination: Carry out immunization and preventive vaccination, and develop a scientific and appropriate immunization program according to local conditions. Ensure immunization against diseases such as Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and avian influenza. Where conditions allow, conduct regular antibody testing. For flocks with low or uneven antibody levels, promptly administer booster immunizations, and strictly follow vaccination procedures to ensure the expected immunization effect. For certain viral diseases with high morbidity and low mortality (such as atypical Newcastle disease), ensure that emergency immunization is carried out.
Four. Disease sample testing and handling
Health monitoring: Establish a systematic monitoring program, including regular health checks and disease surveillance of the flock. By observing indicators such as the flock’s behavior, droppings, and appetite, promptly identify and isolate sick chickens to prevent the spread of disease.
Harmless disposal: Use physical, chemical, or other methods to safely dispose of dead or diseased chickens and related items, eliminating the pathogens they carry and preventing their spread, thereby avoiding the various hazards caused by dead or diseased chickens.
The measures above can effectively reduce the occurrence and spread of winter diseases in fully enclosed chicken houses, safeguarding the health and production performance of the flock.