By Umar Nsubuga
Grace Nakintu, a resident of Lwadda A in Matugga started rearing chicken this year.
She asks if it’s possible to eliminate coccidiosis in broilers, and whether broilers should be given greens like layers.
Kenneth Kabagambe, a famous poultry farmer in Nyabugorogoro village, Kyenjojo district says in a farm that has ever had coccidiosis, the germs are common in that environment.
He says it is not easy to eliminate the germs, however, a farmer can keep his or her birds safe from them (germs).
He says all one needs to do is to ensure that nothing carries the germs from the environment to poultry feeds or water.
If by some bad luck, the birds get coccidiosis, you can successfully cure them with any of the several anti-coccidia medicines available in veterinary drug shops.
Ali Kakooza, a poultry farmer who deals in poultry feeds in Wakiso says coccidiosis spreads from one bird to another through feeds or water contaminated with faeces of an infected bird.
“If one bird has coccidiosis, it excretes the germs in faeces, the faeces contaminate feeds or water, and if another bird consumes it, it will be affected,” he narrates.
Alternatively, they may contaminate the surrounding grounds, which then contaminates feeds and water. Kakooza says if you break this chain as followers, transmission of coccidiosis will take place.
-Keep feeding and watering containers clean
-Disinfect the poultry house before introducing a new flock
-You may add anti-coccidiosis drugs to poultry feeds or water, particularly during their first six weeks of life.
-Avoid stress factors such as over-crowding, poor feeding and inadequate ventilation.
You also want to know whether broilers too need greens. Yes, they do, greens give them vitamin A and minerals they need for growth.
