| OCR Text |
Show Disease Control Important to Utah Poultry By Dr. W. H. Hendricks The past several months ha: been a period profitable to the average successful poultryman. In January 1942, feed prices were up approximately 31 percent over January, 1941, while egg prices were up approximately 55.5 per cent in Jan. 1942, as compared with January, 1941, or during a corresponding period in which the feed prices were up only 31 M. This feed egg ratio changes from time to time but in the middle of February 1942. it was still a very favorable ratio for the poultry-man. poultry-man. This means that the poultryman who is able to get his pullets in production early and hold them in production, and who can keep the hens laying with as short a rest period as possible for moulting can make a nice profit. The poultry-man poultry-man who has not been able to make a profit may find one or more of several factors responsible. responsi-ble. If the poultryman is reasonably successful in management problems, prob-lems, he may still be confronted with a very definite limiting factor, fac-tor, that of disease. Many diseases are caused by infections which spread or are disseminated by means which are sometimes beyond be-yond the immediate control of the poultryman. Such diseases may be pox, laryngotracheitis, infectious leucosis, etc. Other diseases may be pre-disposed by faulty management and sanitation practices, which are more or less under the control of the poultryman. Such diseases may be coryza (colds), ophthalmia (ocular roup), nuVritional diseases, coccidiosis parasitism, etc. When dangerous, infectious diseases dis-eases are prevalent in the poultry-men's poultry-men's neighborhood serious consideration con-sideration should be given to proper pro-per preventive vaccination where this method is feasible. He should, however, seek information and advice ad-vice from his veterinarian. They may be cases where itvis not advisable ad-visable to vaccinate. Disastrous complications may thereby be avoided. There are some poultry diseases encountered of which we do not have sufficient knowledge to enable en-able us to control them success-.fully, success-.fully, but experimental work Is constantly in progress and new and recent information is continually contin-ually being placed at our disposal. Wherever possible we should take die of lower disease mortality. Tha pullets that have had opportunity for proper growth on green range, if possible, -before being placed In the laying house have cleared still another hurcue of lower disease dis-ease mortality. Good sanitation practices before and after these pullets are housed will still further fur-ther help to prevent the Incidence of disease. advantage of this and endeavor to decrease the disease mortality. We can and should lower the percentage loss from diseases which may be pre-disposed by faulty management and sanitation practices. prac-tices. The better poultrymen do not have so much trouble in this respect, but far too many poultry-men poultry-men pay the price in reduced profits. pro-fits. A healthy bird is the goal we strive for. To obtain it we must start with healthy breeding stock that can demonstrate vigor, disease dis-ease resistance, and livability. Chicks should be secured from breeder-hatchery operators or commercial com-mercial hatchery operators who are carrying on a sound Deeding program to develop disease resistant resis-tant and high laying strains. A few cents more per chick for chicks of superior quality will prove to be a mighty good investment. in-vestment. Chicks of good quality nearly always suffer less mortality mortal-ity than chicks of poor quality and they grow faster, start to lay earlier, ear-lier, and lay better. Such chicks have cleared the first hurdle of lower disease mortality. mor-tality. If the poultryman will next provide for the proper environment environ-ment and feed for these chicks and then tend them properly, the chicks have cleared the, next hur- |
