Feed Africa Farm

Urban Farming

Feed Africa Farm — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 04:18:35 +0000

Urban Agriculture refers to cultivation, processing and distribution of agricultural products within the urban areas. Urban agriculture has become a common practice globally. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), by 2007, urban agriculture contributes more than 10% of global food production. Whatever the case may be, urban agriculture is becoming more popular with some cities in African and even Asia, known to provide more than 50% of the food for its population.

Why urban agriculture?

Increased food Security

When the urban population starts producing its own fresh food, there is reduced dependance on rural production. This goes a long way in fostering food security in the country.

Sustainable farming

Urban agriculture can leverage easily available technologies to make farming more sustainable. Farmers use more efficient irrigation methods to increase production yield. Urban agriculture can also be carried out in small spaces thus making farming more sustainable and scalable. Use of locally available materials enable farmers to set vertical gardens for instance which go along with in making farming possible in areas that would otherwise be considered ideal for agriculture.

Availability of fresh food

Carrying out farming in urban areas makes it possible for the urban residents to get fresh food daily. Transportation of food from the rural areas is one the main challenges that farmers encounter in the attempt to supply the cities with fresh farm produce. When the food is produced in the city and its environment, the urban population is assured of continuous supply of fresh farm produce.

Food Affordability

Farming in the city increases food supply. Increased supply translates to reduced prices of commodities. Food will be cheaper if it is produced within the location of the consumer compared to the same product being produced hundreds of miles away.

Employment opportunities

Agriculture was for a long time seen as an activity reserved for the rural areas. Urban agriculture has changed this narrative. Many people are now employed in the various farms located in the cities. With urban agriculture getting more traction, the sector continues to employ thousands of people, directly and indirectly.

Farms of the future

Slowly but surely, urban agriculture continues to impact food security globally. As arable land becomes scarcer, there are several studies on technologies that enhance productivity of urban farms. Secondly, with urbanization continuing to soar, an increasing urban population provides the required demand for fresh food.

Challenges of Urban farming

Whereas urban farming continues to thrive, there are many challenges that face this type of farming.

Land constraints

Most of the space in the urban areas have been used to build industrial and residential structures. The real estate sector has seen most of the land that would otherwise have been suitable for farming converted to other different usage. Furthermore, the price of land is extremely high thus making farming a non-viable economic activity for such land.

Government regulations

Urban areas are zoned for different activities. Change of use of land will require the approval of the government authorities. Most people find these approvals tedious, time-consuming and expensive.

High cost of farming

Besides the initial high cost of acquiring the land, urban farming in most cases requires advanced technology if you are to achieve the desired productivity. This increases the cost of farming thus discouraging many people from venturing into this kind of farming.

Water availability

Urban farming depends heavily on irrigation. Most of the towns do not enjoy reliable rainfall all year round. Water remains a big challenge, not only for urban farming, but for the general use by the urban population. The high cost of water a times makes urban farming economically non-viable.

Neighbohhod Conflicts

One of the biggest challenges that urban farmers face is opposition and conflict with the neighbors. Considering that most of the urban areas are occupied by residential settlements, most of the farmers find themselves in conflict with these residents. Noise, water, and air pollution from the farms are common causes of conflicts with residents.

Waste management

Limitation of space in urban areas often makes waste management a big challenge. Farmers that major in livestock for instance find it a challenge to dispose of waste from their farms. Another farmer has adopted technology to curb this challenge. This comes at a cost, nonetheless.

Conclusion

Urban farming is being embraced globally as one of the major strategies to enhance food security. By growing its own food, the urban population reduces constraint and over dependence on the local population for food supply. Challenges notwithstanding, urban agriculture will continue to soar, and we see arable land become less day by day. Research and advancement of technology in agriculture will be the backbone of urban farming.

Water Management for Sustainable Farming

Feed Africa Farm — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 19:38:44 +0000

Water is one of the most important resources in the farm. Too much water or the lack of it affects the growth rate and productivity of plants. Plant nutrients uptake is greatly affected by the amount of water in the soil. Livestock on the other hand require sufficient and clean water for optimal productivity. Our families also need water for to live.

In Kenya, farmers spend thousands of shillings on water bills. The ever-changing climatic patterns have greatly affected farming activities not only here in Kenya but across the globe. Floods and sporadic droughts have made farming extremely difficult among many farmers. Excessive floods have left trails of losses for many farmers. On the other hand, droughts have seen many farmers scale down their farming activities or abandon farming altogether. Considering the current unpredictable climatic patterns, there is need for a farmer to put measures that will ensure sustainable farming through sustainable water management practices.

SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

Harvesting Rainwater

Rainwater harvesting is a process of conserving water by collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or surface runoffs. Rainwater is a free and priceless gift of nature. Harvested rainwater can be used at home as well as at the farm. There are many ways of collecting rainwater. This ranges from use of simple water barrels to the use of advanced technology that can encompass use of pumps, tanks and purifying systems.

As water becomes scarcer, there is a need to ensure minimal wastage of this important resource and more importantly come up with more stainable water management practices. Whereas people have been harvesting rainwater for decades, a lot of rainwater still goes to waste.

Typical rooftop rainwater collection system

Water barrels

This is one of the most used methods of rainwater harvesting due to its simplicity and low costs. Gutters are used to collect water which is then conveyed with pipes to water barrels. This method is best for collecting rooftop water. Water barrels can either be recycled plastic containers or conventional water tanks. Filters can be installed to trap impurities and insects. Filtering system can range from off-the-shelf solutions to homemade filtering systems. Due to the low level of contamination of the rainwater, simple filtration works in most cases. Sand gravel and charcoal filters are some the mostly used DIY filtration systems.

DIY Water barrels

Surface runoff harvesting

This method is becoming common due to the unpredictability of rain patterns. The method involves construction of dams, ponds or underground tanks that can hold and store water for a relatively longer period. This method helps in collection storm water thus helping reduce flooding and soil erosion.

Uses of rainwater

Rainwater can be used in the house as well as at the farm. Depending on the deployed method of harvesting the water, there are a several areas where we can use this water and thus greatly reducing our water bills. The usage of the harvested water will however depend on the quality and the quantity of the water. Treating and purifying water can be done depending on the intended usage. Rainwater can be used for:

- Drinking and cooking

- Water for livestock

- Irrigating crops

- Watering lawns and landscaping

- Flushing toilets

- Bathing and laundry

- Washing cars and farm tools & equipment

- Fire protection systems

- Water for ponds and swimming pools

Why Rainwater?

The benefits of the rainwater harvesting system are listed below.

- Rainwater is relatively clean

- Simplicity – easy to install and use

- Low installation and maintenance cost

- Rainwater has several uses if well harvested and stored.

- Harvesting rainwater helps reduce flooding.

- Rainwater harvesting reduces run offs hence reducing soil erosion.

- Environment friendly – ensures sustainable water usage and management.

Which method works for me?

Rainwater harvesting method that is appropriate for you will be determined by several factors.

- Budget – how much money is available will determine the size and complexity of the rainwater harvesting method.

- Topography – the general orientation and inclination of the land will make one type of water harvesting better than the other.

- Skills – installation and maintenance of the water harvesting method can be determined by the skills available. This is key especially when budget is a key constraint.

- Rainfall patterns – some areas enjoy frequent and reliable rainfall and as such people in these areas can opt for simple water barrels that can hold water during the low rainfall periods. People in dry areas, however, prefer constructing large water reservoirs that can hold large amounts of water during the prolonged dry season is the best option when it comes to rainwater harvesting.

- Legal Regulations – construction of dams for instance might require approval by the local government authorities.

- Intended use – what is the water meant for? Different harvesting methods can affect the quality and quantity of the harvested water. Choose the method will meet the goal of harvesting the rainwater.

Simple rainwater harvesting method

GREY WATER RECYCLING

Grey water refers to the water from kitchen, bathroom, laundry etc. This excludes water from the toilets which is referred as black water. Grey water is easier to treat and reuse. Recycling of grey water is one the ways of reducing cost of water in our farms.

Greywater Recycling Systems

Wetlands

Wetlands are constructed to provide a natural process of removing impurities and chemicals from grey water. Wetlands come in different shapes and sizes depending on the amount of water being treated and the intended use. Wetlands involves the use of plants that naturally clean water by absorbing nutrients/chemicals that could be contained in the water. Other than plants, filters can be included in the system to remove impurities. Water treated using this method can be used to irrigate lawns, clean cars etc. Extra treatment and testing for presence of harmful chemicals should be done for water that is intended for irrigating crops or for direct use by livestock.

Commercial treatment systems

There are dozens of solutions for grey water treatment. Some of these treatment systems are known to purify the grey water to the extent that this water can be reused in the farm both for human consumption and farming.

Conclusion

Sustainable water management is necessary for sustainable farming. Nature provides us with water through rain, and as such, we can reduce our water bills by harvesting this water and store it for future use. There is also needed to recycle wastewater that we generate in our homes. Grey water contributes to more than 50% of household water usage. Recycling this water is therefore a big win in sustainable water management efforts.

The Black Soldier Fly

Feed Africa Farm — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 12:36:43 +0000

Black Soldier Fly Farming

Black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens) has been gaining popularity across the globe. The fly is fondly known as ‘Bsf’ by the locals here in Kenya. Bsf is popular due to its usefulness for recycling organic waste and providing a substitute for animal feeds. Bsf loves decaying organic matter, the reason why it has become an important waste recycler for many farms in America, Europe, Asia and even Africa. Bsf larvae can be fed to chicken, fish, and pigs. The larvae are rich in protein and as such, many farmers are now using the larvae as a cheap source of protein for animal feeds. Whereas the Bsf prefers moderately warm habitats, the fly has over the recent decades spread across other continents, thanks to its popularity as a cheaper source of animal feed. Furthermore, many animal feeds manufacturers are currently using Bsf larvae as pone of the constituents in feed formulation.

Bsf Life Cycle

Adult Black Soldier Fly is predominantly black to blue in color and can easily be confused with a wasp because of its sleek appearance. Bsf flies spend most of their time mating. The flies do not eat but rely on their fat reserve during this period. During their 5-8 days their short life, the flies only need water. The female fly lays between 500-900 eggs during her lifetime. She deposits her eggs in crevices near decaying organic matter. The eggs are deposited as a creamy deposit. The eggs take around 4 days to hatch depending on the prevailing conditions such as temperature and humidity. The eggs grow into larvae which feed on organic matter such as animal manure, fruits, vegetables, kitchen wasted etc.

Harvested Bsf eggs

Black soldier flies in the love cage

Larvae are rich in protein and are normally fed to livestock at this stage – 10-12days old. The larvae take six instars that are required to complete this development process. This can take about 14 days. The Bsf larva looks the same in 1^st to 4^th instar, with size being the main differentiator. At the 5^th instar, pupation starts. At this stage, the larva reduces feeding and moves to preferably dark and dry location in readiness for pupation. Pupation is known to take 8 days. The pupa turns to a fly. Black soldier fly can mate 2 days after emergence, and the life cycle repeats again.

BSF life cycle

Factors that the affect Black Soldier Life Cycle

Light – Black soldier flies require sunlight during mating. Artificial light can be installed in cases where natural sunlight is not sufficient.

Moisture – Larvae require moderate moisture for optimal growth and development. Excessive moisture affects decomposition rate. Humidity also affects the rate and success of incubation of Bsf eggs.

Temperature – Bsf is known to withstand temperature range of 15-47°C. Research has shown that temperature of 27°C – 37°C is the most ideal for flies for maximum productivity.

Humidity – Female flies require 60% humidity for optimal egg production.

Importance of Black Solder Flies

- Waste management – BSF larvae feed on organic matter thus helping consume wastes that would otherwise pollute the environment.

- Organic fertilizer – Bsf converts organic matter into manure.
- Bsf larvae are source of proteins for livestock such as pigs, chicken, fish etc.
- Dead Bsf are rich in calcium especially for chicken.
- Oil production – Bsf is rich in fats, making it a viable source of oil extraction that can be used in different applications.
- Health care products – a lot of research is currently being carried on the possibility of Bsf being used to make products that can be used in the health care sector.

Conclusion

Bsf is a friendly fly that is rich in proteins, amino acids, and fatty acids. Bsf larvae have humongous appetite which make them the best natural converters of manure from organic matter. Additionally, Bsf is a cheap and sustainable source of animal feed, especially poultry, pigs and fish. Furthermore, this insect is rich in oil thus can be used in production of oil that can be used for different applications such as biofuel.

Feeding chicken and turkey with Bsf larvae

Cannibalism in poultry

Feed Africa Farm — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:14:35 +0000

Birds have a social hierarchy which is referred to as pecking order. Mild pecking is one of the main approaches in setting up of this order. Cannibalism, on the other hand, is a behavior in which birds aggressively peck one other to an extent of causing physical harm. can start with a few birds before spreading to the entire flock Cannibalism if not managed. Whereas this behavior is seen as an act of harassment between birds, cannibalism can result in the death of the injured birds. Many farmers do not understand what really causes cannibalism and how this behavior can be stopped. This article will highlight the major causes of cannibalism and how to prevent it.

Causes and prevention of cannibalism.

Overcrowding

If the spacing is inappropriate, birds tend to compete for resources which result in aggression among the birds. Birds of different ages have different space requirements. It is therefore important to ensure that birds have adequate space to avoid discomfort and stress which may be a prerequisite for cannibalism.

Inadequate laying nests

Hens tend to be aggressive if disturbed when laying. If the laying boxes are not enough, dominant hens will peck the weaker hens while competing for the laying nests. it is advisable to maintain a ratio of 4/5 hens per box. Too much light at the laying area can also encourage vent pecking. Reduce light in the laying area.

Nutritional deficiency

Research has shown that deficiency of protein, sodium, and phosphorus can cause cannibalism. Birds lacking these crucial nutrients may start by pecking feathers before escalating to serious body-harm causing behavior.

Inappropriate Light

Too much light is known to cause stress among birds. Excessive light can either be prolonged hours of light or too much lighting in the poultry house. Stressed birds can turn vengeance to their mates resulting in cannibalism. It is therefore important to ensure that proper lighting is always maintained in the poultry house.

Overheating

Just like inappropriate lighting, too much heat can cause stress in birds. Poor housing or prevailing weather conditions can cause overheating which can make birds feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable birds are prone to pecking. Ensure that the temperature within the poultry house is maintained with the accepted range.

Abrupt changes

Birds like any other livestock get used to routine practices. If there are changes in management practices, birds can feel uncomfortable and retaliate by pecking their mates. Environmental changes often time induce stress in birds thus making them prone to pecking. In case management/environmental changes are inevitable, it is advisable to put extra effort in ensuring that the birds manage the change with minimal stress.

Inadequate food/water

Birds should always be provided with adequate water and food. Birds competing for either food or water will always fight for limited resources. It is advisable to hang weeds or vegetable which are rich in fibre to ensure that birds remain full and therefore eliminating the likelihood of pecking due to idleness or hunger.

Conclusion

Cannibalism if not managed can spread very fast to the entire flock. Whereas there are several causes that can cause pecking to escalate to serious levels, it is important to treat each case independently. Understanding the behavior your flock is crucial establishing the root cause cannibalism.

Raising day old chicks

Feed Africa Farm — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:09:04 +0000

You have just received day old chicks from your supplier. What next? Other than feeds and drugs, the other immediate challenge will be to provide these chicks with the required warmth. When the young chicks are being taken care by their mother, one may not know the importance of a brooder. The mother hen provides the most required warmth to the chicks. With introduction of incubators to aid in hatching, brooders have become very important structures in poultry farming.

What is a brooder?

A brooder is a structure designed to provide warmth to the chicks in the absence of the mother hen. A good brooder should have adequate heat to ensure that chicks get enough warmth to avoid overcrowding which often leads to increased mortality rate. Source of heat for this structure will range from kerosene lumps to electric bulbs.

The amount of heat to be provided is dictated by the number chicks in the brooder. The brooder should be adequately heated. When the source of heat is inadequate, chicks are seen overcrowding near the source of the heat. On the other hand, if the chicks are seen keeping off from the heat source, then it means that the heat is too much and thus should be reduced. Apart from proper heating, a good brooder should have dry litter, adequate feeders, and drinkers. Care must be taken to avoid the dry litter from catching fire especially in cases where kerosene lumps or jikos are used.

Before your one-day old chicks arrive, make sure that there is clean water and that the temperature within brooder is at 33 -35ºC. The structure should also be disinfected a few days before the chicks are received. Feeds should also be provided. For day old chicks, often you may have to dip the beaks of these chicks into the water to encourage them start drinking water. Depending on your supplier, chicks can come when vaccinated but if that is not the case then you must organize for the same.

Clean water and feeds…

Clean water and feeds should be available in the brooder throughout. Proper hygiene should be maintained in the brooder to avoid cases of disease outbreaks. If water is allowed to stay for long in the drinkers without being replaced, there is always likelihood of bacterial growth which might cause infections and disease. Feeds should be always kept clean. One should avoid stale or moldy feeds which might also be the source of diseases or nutritional deficiency. The number of feeders and drinkers to put in the brooder depends on the number of chicks. But what is important is ensuring that your birds get access to water and feeds easily. Clean your feeders and drinkers as more often as necessary. As a rule of thumb ensure that the entire poultry structure as well as the feeding equipment are clean always. This is the first step in keeping diseases at bay. Shallow drinkers are recommended to avoid the chicks drowning. The choice of feeders can vary but go for the ones that will ensure the chicks feed without causing wastage of food. Depending on the seasonal temperature and the housing type, the brooding can take 4-6 weeks. The temperature should however be reduced steadily during the 6 weeks of brooding

Typical Feeder

Typical Drinker

Sustainable Farming

Feed Africa Farm — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:53:01 +0000

Take your farming to the next level

What comes to mind first when you think about farming? For many people, farming looks easy. After all, it is all about putting in some hard work at the shamba and reaping the results in a few months’ time. However, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make your farming venture profitable and successful. This includes:

Marketing

Agriculture marketing is the process of making sure that your produce finds its way from your farm to your consumers. It can involve several things, including harvesting, production, packaging, and delivery of produce. It may also involve joining a farmer’s cooperative for more reach and door-to-door pitches and sampling of your products. All this is done to guarantee sales and to increase your profits.

In the digital age, however, one thing that cannot be ignored is online marketing for farming. The advantage of this over traditional marketing is that you have the potential to reach very many people in different parts of the world over a shorter time. With digital marketing, the customers are only a click away!

There are several steps to take to succeed at digital marketing for farming:

Knowing your target audience

This will help you to determine what you have to offer them and how to package it in the most appealing way. Knowing this will also allow you to narrow down on things like location, age and gender so that you know where to focus your efforts on for maximum gain.

Creating a website for your farm

A website is likely the first place of contact that most people will have with your farming business. Make sure you create one that is current, easy to navigate and has all the information needed to help people to get your products.

Social Media

It is important for any business to be on social media, even farming. There’s a huge potential of getting your products seen and shared by many people. You can also buy ads that will help you to reach a specific audience. It is quite cheap to do agriculture marketing on social media as compared to other more traditional means.

Managing farming costs

It is not easy to run a farm successfully and there are many costs involved. These challenges can sometimes make it seem like farming is not a worthwhile venture. However, if you’re looking to turn your farm into a sustainable venture, there are several ways you can manage your costs:

Cut unnecessary expenditure: For your farming enterprise to stop making losses and start being profitable, you need to figure out where the money is going. After that, you’ll be able to see all the unnecessary things that you don’t need to be spending on and cut them off.

Increase efficiency: Are your farming systems working at their best levels? Is it taking four people to do the work of one? This one is all about examining the processes and figuring out how effective they are. Only by knowing what is wrong can you be able to fix it and save money in the long run.

Outsource some of the services: The fact is, no one is good at everything. Trying to do something you’re not sure of will only lead to avoidable mistakes and more money being used to fix them. When it comes to the services your farming business needs and provides, it is best to outsource to the professionals who know what they are doing.

Moulting in laying hens

Feed Africa Farm — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:47:13 +0000

The Moulting Process in hens

Moulting is a natural process where hens shed and renew their feathers. During moulting hens reduce or even stop egg production. Many farmers are often left panicking when their chickens shade feathers overnight and stop laying eggs or drop egg production drastically. The birds loose feathers gradually and bare patches of skins in different parts of the body are always seen.

What causes moulting?

Whereas moulting is a natural process, there are number factors (According to British Hen Welfare Trust) that can trigger it.

Hormones secreted by the thyroid gland.
Physical exhaustion and fatigue
Completion of the laying cycle (birds lay eggs for a certain period)
Reduction of day length, resulting in reduced feeding time and consequent loss of body weight.

Moulting and egg production

During moulting, your hen requires a lot proteins and calcium to facilitate new tissue and feather formation, this explains why her egg production declines due to the inadequacy of these nutrients. It is therefore advisable to feed the birds with food richer in proteins and calcium to ensure that moulting does not take longer than expected. Moulting has often time be used by farmers to tell good layers/high producers. Good layers take longer time before they moult and the process itself takes a shorter time. These hens may even lay eggs during moulting and cease laying few days before moulting climaxes. Poor layers resume moulting after shorter periods and the process normally takes longer time compared to the time taken by high producers. It seems poor layers like the moulting phase!

Moulting and cannibalism

Birds are left with bare patches of skins during moulting. This may tempt other birds to start pecking the moulting chickens and therefore causing physical harm. Deliberate efforts must, therefore, be put in place to ensure that birds do not harm one other during this inevitable yet natural process.

Summary

Mouting process affects egg productivity of your birds and therefore proper care must be taken to ensure this phase is managed correctly. If moulting is left to take longer than expected, the farmer will incur more costs considering that hens will always record very poor production during this time. Proper nutrition should be given to the birds to ensure that they do not take too long in moulting process since this can adversely affect their bouncing back to normal production. Whereas this article has dwelled mainly on moulting in laying hens, it is important to mention that moulting affects even birds of other ages. So, if you happen to see your cock losing feathers, it could be as a result of moulting. Nevertheless, moulting should not be confused with cannibalism.

Poultry disease prevention and management

Feed Africa Farm — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:29:13 +0000

A disease is any condition that interferes with the normal functioning of part or the whole body of a living organism. There are different disease causative agents or factors.

Deficiencies of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals etc.
The consumption of toxic substances such as poisons.
Physical damage e.g., environmental extremes and injury.
Parasitic invasion – internal or external
micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses.

Regardless of what causes the disease, its effects on poultry have seen many farmers count losses or abandon farming altogether. This article highlights some of the major routine practices that can be crucial is poultry disease prevention and management.

Vaccination

Most of the poultry diseases can be prevented through vaccination. As they say prevention is better than cure, it is advisable that farmers vaccinate their birds against those diseases whose vaccines are available. In case of disease outbreak, birds vaccinated against such diseases have a higher chance of not getting infected as compared to those that were not vaccinated. Below is a list of these common poultry diseases:

Avian encephalomyelitis
Chicken anaemia
Egg drop syndrome 76 (EDS 76)
Fowl cholera
Fowl pox
Infectious bronchitis
Infectious bursal disease
Infectious coryza
Infectious laryngotracheitis
Marek’s disease

Quarantine sick birds

Sick birds should be segregated from the flock as soon as possible. Most poultry diseases are communicable, and some can wipe out the entire flock of birds with a short time if. After isolating the sick birds, call a qualified vet for diagnosis and treatment. Some farmers are known to vaccinate sick birds. Never vaccinate sick birds. Proper diagnosis is important if the right medication is to be administered.

Multi-age flocks

Older birds have better disease resistance than the younger ones. Mixing young birds with the older ones make the former more vulnerable in case of a disease outbreak.

Parasite control

As mentioned above, parasites are some of the disease causative agents. Birds should be inspected regularly for external parasites and the insecticides used in case of pest invasion. Treatment for worms should also be done regularly.

Hygiene

Unhygienic conditions can breed some of the disease-causing microorganisms. Farmers should always observe hygiene if they are to keep some of these diseases at bay. Poultry house, waterers and feeders should always be kept clean. Just like humans, birds should also be given clean water and feeds.

Biosecurity

There is a need to minimize the interaction of your birds with disease-causing agents such as wild birds. Birds from neighboring farms can also be disease agents. To reduce the risk of diseases being brought to your farm by these agents, there is a need to set high standards of biosecurity. Farmers practicing free-range poultry farming method are often at high risk especially when there is a disease outbreak.

Conclusion

Every poultry farmer desires for a disease-free environment for his or her birds. Disease prevention and management require that several routine practices are put in place as mentioned above. Let us prevent them, before we are forced to look for the cure of these devastating diseases.