Level 3 — Health and prevention
Recognise early, act fast, know when to call
Vaccination at the hatchery and on the farm, coccidiosis, Newcastle disease, Gumboro disease, respiratory diseases, heat stress in open-sided houses, the rainy season, biosecurity, and the right time to call the veterinarian.
- 1Vaccination: what is done at the hatchery, what is done on the farm, the role of the veterinarianA vaccine done properly protects a whole flock for a few CFA francs per bird. A vaccine badly stored, badly given or given at the wrong time protects no one, and the farmer believes their birds are protected. This lesson explains what NEXTEKCI does at the hatchery, what is done on the farm, and how to carry out a successful vaccination.10 min read · 5-question quiz
- 2Coccidiosis: the disease of wet litterRed droppings on the litter, a bird huddled in a corner, feathers ruffled: coccidiosis is the most common disease of floor-reared flocks in our climate. It is prevented through the litter and the feed, recognised early, and treated quickly with the veterinarian. It does not forgive waiting.8 min read · 5-question quiz
- 3Newcastle disease: the disease that empties poultry housesNewcastle disease is the nightmare of poultry farmers in West Africa: a highly contagious virus, with no treatment, that can kill most of an unvaccinated flock in a week. It has three faces depending on age. It is prevented by vaccination and biosecurity, and it must be reported.9 min read · 5-question quiz
- 4Gumboro disease: the disease that disarms the defencesThree weeks old, the flock looks fine, and within two days young birds sit down and do not get up again. Gumboro disease strikes between 3 and 6 weeks, kills fast, then stops just as fast — leaving survivors without defences, who will catch everything else. It is prevented by the vaccine at the right time and by serious disinfection.8 min read · 5-question quiz
- 5Respiratory diseases: dust, ammonia, cool nights and germsRattling at night when the house is silent, sneezing, a swollen face, a runny nose: respiratory problems are almost always the meeting of a house (dust, ammonia, draughts, overcrowding) and a germ. Treating one without the other is pointless.9 min read · 5-question quiz
- 6Heat stress in an open-sided house: the hours that killBetween February and April, and on every heavy day before a storm, chickens over three weeks old die between 1 pm and 5 pm, beak open, wings spread. A chicken does not sweat: it pants. When the air is as hot as it is, and humid, it can no longer cool down. Everything depends on water, air and timing.8 min read · 5-question quiz
- 7The rainy season: humidity, moulds, roads cut offApril to July, then September to November: the rain falls, the air is heavy, the roads deteriorate. For a poultry farm, the rainy season means wet litter, feed going mouldy, coccidiosis and respiratory diseases, late deliveries. All of this is prepared for before the first rain.8 min read · 5-question quiz
- 8Biosecurity: the barriers that replace medicinesNewcastle disease, Gumboro disease, coccidiosis, avian influenza: most diseases arrive on a farm on foot, by car, in a cage, in a pocket. Biosecurity means the simple, daily barriers that stop them at the gate. It costs habits, not money. And it is worth more than all the treatments.9 min read · 5-question quiz
- 9When to call the veterinarian, and what to tell themThe School does not replace the veterinarian: it teaches you to call them at the right time, with the right information. Calling too late costs a flock; calling with a record sheet, photos and a fresh bird saves two days of diagnosis. This lesson sets the thresholds and prepares the call.8 min read · 5-question quiz