Animal Diseases and Health Management

Disease is defined as any condition which there is a deviation form a normal state of health or normal functioning of any or all tissues and organs of the animal's body which might lead to reduced growths, productions and death if the organism.

Health, on the other hand, is a state of alertness, freedom from ill health accompanied by unhindered growth and productivity.

Animal Health Management consists of all the activities involved in controlling all the occurrence and buildups of pathogens in livestock populations on and off the farm, controlling the pathogens in the soil, air or water of the environment, the exclusion of pathogens in livestock feeds, maintenance of good hygiene in livestock buildings, as well as enforcement of laws that guide animal husbandry practices.

Susceptibility to Diseases
Susceptibility refers to a condition in the animal by which it is easily attacked or infected by disease. This means that the disease causing agent can easily enter, establish and manifest itself in the animal.

Resistance to Diseases
Resistance to disease is the ability of the animal to stop or reduce invasion by disease causing organisms or agents. It also means that the disease organism may invade the animal by gaining entry into the body but cannot develop further to show signs of infection. Resistance in the farm animals may be inherited or acquired through vaccination or by recovering from the the disease prevailing and then developing resistance or immunity to any further attack. The degree of resistance of an animal to a disease depends on the development of immunity, species of animals, inoculation, age of animal and physiological condition of the animal.

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An Insight into Farmstead in Agriculture

Farmstead can be referred to as a farm house and all its production and processing structures. A farmstead is both a home and a production centre. In other words, a farmstead is the farmers dwelling place and production centre. Its planning is based on the system of a farm and on the need and comfort of the farmer's family.

Factors Influencing the Siting of Farms or Farmstead

In planning a farmstead, the following factors must be considered.

Topography
√ Topography determines the location of farm buildings and structures.
√ Farm buildings or living quarters are usually located on high elevations for proper viewing of the farm.
√ Animal quarters should be located far from the staff living quarters.
√ Locate crops like vegetables on low lying areas where moisture content is high.
√ Fish pound should be located on sloppy grounds Irrigation farms are best sited on flat grounds.

Soil Type
√ Crop farms are best sited on soils that are fertile.
√ Pastures are sited on less fertile soils.
√ Farm buildings and structures are best located on poor soils.
√ Farm roads are best constructed on well drained poor soils.

Accessibility
√ Locate facilities within walking distance.
√ Provide good roads to facilitate the transportation of farm inputs.
√ Ensure easy accessibility and evacuation of farm produce.
√ Good accessibility makes marketing of farm produce possible.

Water Supply
√ Adequate water supply is needed for human and animal use.
√ Livestock structures should be located close to source of water supply for easy cleaning.
√ Water is required for irrigation purposes.

Health / Hygiene
√ Erect livestock units against wind direction.
√ Locate animal units far away from human residential houses to avoid health hazards.

Nearness to Market
√ Nearness to market reduces distribution or transport cost.
√ It exposes products to many buyers.
√ It reduces the need for farm storage facilities.

Drainage
√ Adequate drainage is important to avoid waterlogging.
√ Gentle slope facilitates proper drainage.
√ Good drainage makes movement easier within the farm.

       Reasons for Planning a Farmstead

√ It allows for proper utilization of resources without wastage.
√ It makes the farmer to be more responsive to market demand.
√ It encourages efficiency of farm activities.
√ It makes coordination and control of farm operations easier.

         Principles of Farmstead Layout

Some specific principles are required for farmstead layout and these include:

√ Plant the crops on the best soil within the farm.
√ Livestock buildings should be located on the poorest soil within the farm.
√ Buildings should be located in easily accessible areas.
√ Farm building should not be located on slopes to avoid erosion.
√ Residential and office buildings should be located far away from livestock building to avoid the noise and unpleasant odour from farm animals wastes and dungs.

Source: Essential Books

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20 management practices Tips for Rearing chicks

The following are management practice involveld in raering chicks from day old to six weeks of age;

[i]clean and disinfect or fumigate the brooding house before the arrival of the chicks.

[ii]the floor of the brooder house should be made of concrete and withthe walls which must be rat proof.

[iii]coverthe floor with clean woodshavings before the arrival of chicks

[iv]make available clean feeders,waterer,source of heat [stove,lantern or electric bulbs],stater chicks mash[feed]and some anti stress drugs[vitamins and antibiotic]

[v][v]provide warmth[heat energy ]with charcoalpot kerosinelamps electric bulbs etc.

[vi]provide adequate ventilation, water and feed regularly.

[vii]raise chicks in brooders houses where heat/warmth is regulated when neccessary.

[viii]make consultation with the veterinary department of vacination for the chicks.

[ix]clean the feeders and waterers regularly and replace with the new feed abd fresh water.

[x]ensure a temperature range of 35degreeC loewered by 0.2degreeC perday a relative humidity 50% to 70%.

[XI]ensure that ady old chicks are allowed to rest very well,well fed and are giving antistrees vitamin on arrival.

[xii]medical feed or water coccidio stat or anti coccidiosis at three weeks of age.

[xiii]change beddings\litter regularly [once intwo week]to avoid build up of disease organisms or ammonia.

[xiv]debeak the chicks during the first four weeks if they are pulle.

[xv]deworm at six weeks [for broilers].

[xvi]isolate or cull sick birds.

[xvii]ensure that post mortem are carreid out dead chicks.

house reasons for good housing in poultry
poulrty needs good housing becouse of the following reason;

[i]this is to protect birds against adverse weather condition.

[ii]it is also to protect bird against disease attack.

[iii]it assist to keep bird age group for proper management.

[iv]it protect bird from thieve.

[v]it protect bird from attack by wild animal,dangerous reptileslike snake and from hawk

[vi]housing enhance maximum productivity in bird.

[vii]good housing help to increase the efficience of feeding and feed utilization.

[viii]it fercilitate management and veterinary care.

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Farm Surveying

Farm Surveying is defined as the process by which measurement of land is made on the farm. Such measurements by tables, plans or layout are done for specific purposes. It can also mean the measuring and mapping out of the position, size and boundaries of an area of farmland.

Importance of Farm Surveying in Agriculture:

√ It helps to determine the hectarage of Land.
√ Farm surveying exposes the gradient of the land.
√ It helps the farmer to make decisions on locations of various farm buildings and structures.
√ It helps in determining the amount of input of labour, seeds, fertilizers and chemicals to be used in the farm.
√ It enables farmers to make the best use of available resources in order to achieve maximum profits.
√ Loans can be got with the help of farm survey plans.
√ Farm surveying gives the owner of the land security.
√ It does not allow for wastage of Land.
It helps to determine the yield or productivity of crops.
√ Farm surveying and planning can be used as a basis of feasibility studies.

Some Common Surveying Equipments

Ranging Poles: is usually made up of wood or metal with length of sizes 1.8m, 2.4m or 3.0m and is usually painted black, bright red or white to aid vision from a distance and always has a pointed end. It is used for marking stations and straight lines.

Gunter's Chain: it consists of a series of dumb bell - shaped links of steel wires joined together by three small rings which is 20.13m in length which is divided into 100 links (19.8cm each) with a brass handle on either side and is generally metallic. It is used in taking short or detailed measurement of length and breadth.

Measuring Tapes: is made up of fine linen or fine steel sheet which is marked on one side with metric units and the other side with the imperial unit. It is used for taking measurement of length, breadth and height.

Prismatic Compass: is usually placed on a stand with a prism and a compass card marked in degrees, half degrees, minutes and seconds in a clockwise direction. It is used in taking bearings and measuring angular distances.

Theodolite: it has a tripod stand made up of wood or light weight metal in solid or telescopic legs with a lower plate which contains the graduated horizontal circle made of glass or brass having a spirit level which is used to define horizontal plain against which angles of the elevation or depression are measured. It is used to measure horizontal or vertical angles or planes.

Arrows or Pins: these are tin pointed steel wires of about 30cm long with one end curved into a ring and a red cloth is often attached to the ring to aid vision from afar. It is used during chaining for marking off chain lengths as measured and also used for marking stations.

Beacon or Pillar: it is made up of rectangular block in form of concrete with marks inscribed on the top of the block and are always buried in the ground with the marked head raised a little above the ground. It is used for marking off points measured and recognition of the measured or surveyed area.

General Maintenance of Surveying Instruments

√ All instruments must be cleaned after use.
√ Keep instruments in a dry and cool places.
√ Those with metals parts should be oiled or greased or painted before they are put away for a long time.
√ Keep instruments away from heat and rain to prevent damage and rusting respectively.
√ Replace worn-out parts.
√ Use instruments only for the intended functions.
√ Let competent surveyor handle and use the instruments only or as he may direct.

Source: Essential Books

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