Illness is the number one game bird enemy. The degree of success attained in raising game birds depends directly upon one’s ability to control and prevent disease.

Prevention of diseases in game birds

Prevention is the only practical means of avoiding disease loss. The best form of prevention is a feeding program that provides game birds with a high-plane of nutrition, and regular cleaning and sanitation to limit exposure to disease causing pathogens.

Meeting game bird nutrient needs to prevent disease

When game birds are nutritionally stressed they are more susceptible to disease and illness. Ensuring your game birds unique nutritional needs are met throughout their life cycle will better prepare them to fight off disease. Your local Purina dealer carries a complete line of health products and may be able to help you outline an effective disease control program.

Sanitation and pest control for game birds

Before starting chicks, houses and equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Disinfect all clean surfaces to kill disease producing bacteria, viruses and fungi. It’s also crucial to control the following pests:

• Lice and mites – Use a poultry dusting powder for control of northern fowl mite, lice, and fleas.
• Flies – Keep flies under control. Check with your Purina dealer for additional products you need.
• Rats – Rats are disease carriers and even kill chicks when they’re young. Rodent control should be part of the overall health and sanitation management program. Rodenticides need to be placed where birds will not have access to them. Consult with your Purina dealer for rodent control options.

What to do when disease strikes your game birds

Despite all preventative efforts, disease outbreaks can still occur. When symptoms (signs) or mortalities indicate a possible problem – don’t delay and don’t guess – select several affected or dead birds and submit them to a poultry diagnostic laboratory to establish definite identification of the problem. Once the cause has been determined, it should be possible to formulate specific recommendations for treatment and prevention of further spread.