Duck Diseases - 20 Preventions And Controls Tips When Taking Care Of Ducks

Ducks are most resistant to diseases than chicken
and other fowls. However, even with all
precautionary measures, substantial losses are
incurred in duck farming operation due
to various causes. Losses from various
causes can be minimized through proper
management, adequate appropriate feeding and
housing, strict sanitary practices, and
effective prevention medication and vaccination
program. Duck diseases are those caused by
pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and
parasites while noninfectious types are due to
chemical poisons, toxins, inferior feed or
ration and environmental factors.

Here are some useful tips preventing duck
diseases:

1) Secure constructed buildings so that dogs,
cats, rats and other possible disease cannot
enter

2) Raise only healthy stocks. Sick birds should
be culled immediately and disposed of properly
to avoid spread of infection

3) Burn or bury dead ducks as soon as possible
to avoid flies from breeding on the decomposing
matter. This will also prevent infected maggots
from being eaten by ducks

4) Feed ducks with balanced rations. Ducks fed
with unbalanced ration are prone to diseases

5) Vaccinate ducklings against duck cholera with
polyvalent bacterin if available. Give
antibiotic-vitamin-mineral supplement to
suppress build-up of bacterial infection and
improve the ducks' health condition

6) Provide cool, fresh and clean drinking water
at all times. Clean waterers at least once a
day. Highly polluted water is detrimental to the
ducks' health and can affect overall performance

7) Avoid giving decomposed food such as snail,
shrimps, fish and meat which may contain
virulent microorganisms or their toxins

8) Provide clean and dry feeders at all times.
Wet feeders are prone to the growth of yeasts,
harmful bacteria and harmful molds which are
sources of mycotoxins such as aflatoxin,
ocratoxin and related toxins. Since ducks are
highly susceptible to aflatoxicosis, the above
activity should be strictly followed

9) Keep ducks of the same age in the same pen
and provide them with the same medication

10) Purchase stock from reliable sources or
hatcheries

11) Keep the farm and its surroundings clean.
Ducks should be provided with clean and dry
litter and well drained areas

12) Provide well ventilated with dry flooring or
litter. Do not overstock the animals in the pen

13) Minimize activities that can cause stress to
the ducks and thus lower its production

14) Prohibit delivery trucks and visitors from
entering the production areas as disease
organisms are often introduced into the farm by
these delivery vehicles and/or visitors

15) Install footpath in strategic locations to
prevent entry of infective agents into the farm

16) Spray the animals with insecticides at least
once a year to control lice and mites, beetles
and other arthropods that can cause annoyance to
the ducks

17) Make sure that palays are free from
insecticides which can cause adverse effects on
the health and production of the ducks

18) Maintain good production and health records

19) Supervise closely the overall duck farm
operation

20) Avoid mixing new stock to the flock.
Quarantine newly arrived ducks for at least two
weeks. Outbreak of disease may occur through
introduction of sick or carrier ducks

----------------------------------------------------
Are you searching for more tips on raising ducks?
If you would like to learn more tips about how to
keep ducks and preventions of duck diseases,
please visit: http://www.howtoraiseducks.com

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=223445

>