STOP Newcastle disease

Newcastle disease is the major cause of death among local chickens. Chickens suffering from Newcastle disease show nervous signs, diarrhoea and die in large numbers.

The disease is spread by sick birds usually brought in from the market or by other birds from the neighbourhood. Visitors, dogs and wild birds can also spread the disease. The disease cannot be cured.

The only way to protect your chickens is by vaccination

• To vaccinate is to protect your birds by using a live but mild form of the Newcastle virus. Vaccination should be done under controlled conditions, which are easy for you to learn and to apply:

• Heat kills the virus, so keep the vaccine in a cold place at 4°c (maximum period: I month), or at -20°C in a freezer (upto 2 years).

• A vaccinated chicken will hot catch Newcastle disease for six months.

About the vaccine

• You can get the vaccine from a chemist's shop or a veterinary office.

• The vaccine is available in doses for 100 birds. Your supplier will give you ice for preserving the vaccine.

How about a farmers' group?

Farmers with few birds should form groups.
Buy doses enough for all birds in the group. It is
cheaper when farmers share costs.

When do you vaccinate?

Chicks: 1 month after hatching.

Adult birds: Vaccinate every 6 months, in June (many chicks present) and in December (many birds present and exchanged) or 2 weeks before an expected outbreak. Vaccinate in the evening when birds are easy to catch. Vaccinate healthy birds only.

Distilled water	Vaccine

• Vaccinate at a time that suits everyone in the group.

• Buy vaccine that has been stored in a refrigerator. This will ensure that the vaccine is still good.

• Check the label for expiry date.

• Do not vaccinate sick birds.

Requirements

• Vaccine

• 5 mi plastic syringes

• Disposable needles

• 10 Cc sterile distilled water for every 100 doses

• Plastic cool flask-

• 	vaccine mixture distilled water

Vaccine dilution

• Draw 4 cc of sterile water into the syringe.

• Lift the metal cap off the vaccine bottle.

• Pierce through the centre of the rubber top.

• Do not apply pressure because the vacuum in the bottle might suck in the water.

• If there is no suction your needle might be blocked, or air has leaked into your vaccine bottle

• If air has leaked into the vaccine bottle

• DO NOT use it.

• Mix water and vaccine by shaking.

• Tear off the metal cap, remove rubber top.

• Draw all vaccine into the syringe.

• Put the mixture into the 6 cc distilled water.

• Mix vaccine by shaking.

• By now you have 10 cc vaccine ready for use.

• Store in ice and use Within 2 hours.

How to administer the vaccine

• Fill syringe with 1 cc (1 mi) of the vaccine at a time.

• Hold the syringe between your first and second fingers.

• With your other hand secure the chicken under your arm-pit

• Secure the head and administer a drop in each nostril or eye

• Place the chicken away from the rest.

• Birds of all ages receive the same amount of vaccine.

• At the end of vaccination, count the chickens to make sure you have vaccinated all of them.

• If you face any difficulty, consult the local veterinary office.

Compiled by HO Ondwasi,
More info. from
KARI Headquarters Library
resource.center@kari.org
KARI Kakamega Box 169 Kakamega