MANAGEMENT ▶▶▶
The mouldy feed can also cause abnormal feathering due to the effects of mould on the energy content of the feed, amino acid balance, and vitamin profile. Poultry producers should, therefore, keep feed troughs free of mould and work on con- trol of mould growth with mould inhibitors containing acetic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid.
Diseases Frequent monitoring of the flock for intestinal distress due to coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis is a key responsibility for proper flock management. This can be done by checking litter quality, faecal material for any discolourations or diarrhoea, and daily observations of flock behaviour. Promptly treating illnesses/diseases will help maintain good feather cover.
External parasites Feather lice are external parasites that live outside of their hosts and can survive on the skin and feathers of birds for 2-3 months, causing scratching, feather damage and discoloura- tion. In any life stage, lice are treatable with insecticide and perhaps oral medications. The veterinarian will guide treat- ment depending on the degree of infestation, and the age and health of the bird. The poultry producer should not try to treat birds without veterinary help. Many over the counter in- sect treatments are ineffective or even dangerous. Also, some cases of feather lice may need specialised, supportive care beyond the basic insect treatment. For example, in young birds, anaemia or even death can occur if the species victim- ising the bird is a blood-sucking parasite. Birds may also be infested with feather mites which are rela- tively difficult for the birds to get rid of as they are capable of avoiding molting feathers. Infested birds often have duller plumage and shorter wing lengths, which adversely affects
Table 2: Vitamins and their role in feather cover.
Vitamin Function Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin C
B Vitamins Source: K. Walden, 2018
Table 3: Cannibalism in chickens fed different rations.
80% corn
Feather pecked (%) 100.0 Pecking score Mortality (%)
4.7 10
Source: S. H. Esmail, 2012
mating behaviour and fertility of the breeding stock since many birds choose their mates based upon the brightness of their plumage. Other possible negative effects the feather mites may have on birds is reducing aerodynamic and/or wa- terproofing properties of feathers. Mite densities are nega- tively correlated with host size and body condition but are positively correlated with other parasite infestations. Birds that have other parasites, such as lice or blood parasites may not be able to spend as much time preening and therefore they may have more feather mites.
References available upon request.
8% fiber 41.0 0.6 7
13% fiber 7.0 0.1 2
18% fiber 0.0 0.0 0
Support health and normal coloring of skin and feather Vital to maintaining healthy, bright feathers.
Prevents feather-destructive behaviors such as over-preening, barbering or chewing the ends off the feathers, plucking and self-mutilation. Maintains skin and feather quality and abnormal yellow coloring.
Drinking-Systems
With a LUBING Drinking-System you are always on the safe side.
Completely equipped with innovative technical details LUBING‘s Drinking-Systems assure a reliable water supply for cages as well as floor management.
Global Solutions
Drinking-Systems Conveyor-Systems Climate-Systems
LUBING Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG Lubingstraße 6 · 49406 Barnstorf (Germany) Tel.: +49 (0) 54 42 - 98 79-0
Fax: +49 (0) 54 42 - 98 79-33
www.lubing.com
info@lubing.com
Th e Original!
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