Juba poultry Consult

16/10/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Christine Poni Charles, Hamza Suleiman Sani

09/10/2025

The Importance of Marek’s Disease and Lymphoid Leukosis in Family and Backyard Poultry Farming: South Sudan Context

By Vukeni Christopher Ojja Druza, Poultry Consultant at Juba Poultry Consult

Family and backyard poultry farming is a vital component of household food security, income generation, and nutrition in South Sudan. These small-scale systems provide meat, eggs, and a source of livelihood, particularly for women and youth. However, poultry productivity is often constrained by infectious diseases, among which Marek’s Disease (MD) and Lymphoid Leukosis (LL) are particularly significant due to their high morbidity, mortality, and impact on growth and egg production.

1. Understanding Marek’s Disease (MD)

Marek’s Disease is caused by a herpesvirus that primarily affects the nervous and immune systems of chickens. The virus is highly contagious and spreads through feather dander, dust, and contaminated equipment, particularly in overcrowded or poorly maintained poultry houses.

Common clinical signs include:

Paralysis of legs and wings
Drooping wings and difficulty walking
Weight loss and poor growth
Grayish eyes leading to partial or full blindness
Tumors in internal organs

In backyard systems in South Sudan, poor hygiene, limited vaccination, and close flock interactions significantly increase the risk of outbreaks.

Prevention strategies:

Vaccination at day-old: Administer the Marek’s vaccine to chicks before exposure.
Good biosecurity: Regularly clean poultry houses, limit visitors, and reduce dust and contamination.
Quarantine new birds: Isolate incoming chickens before introducing them to the main flock.

2. Understanding Lymphoid Leukosis (LL)

Lymphoid Leukosis is caused by a retrovirus that induces tumor formation in organs such as the liver, spleen, and sometimes the kidneys. Unlike Marek’s Disease, LL typically develops slowly and mainly affects adult layers.

Clinical signs include:

Poor growth and delayed weight gain
Pale combs and wattles
Reduced egg production
Tumors in internal organs (diagnosed post-mortem)

Transmission:

Vertical: From hen to chick through eggs.
Horizontal: Contact with infected droppings, contaminated equipment, or shared water/feed.
Currently, there is no effective vaccine against LL. Control relies on:
Breeding from disease-free stock.
Maintaining clean and hygienic housing
Avoiding mixing new birds with existing flocks without proper quarantine

3. Implications for South Sudanese Poultry Farmers

Small-scale and free-range poultry systems in South Sudan are particularly vulnerable. Farmers may misattribute poor growth, low egg production, or sudden deaths to feed or management issues, when viral diseases like MD and LL may be the underlying cause.

Key recommendations for mitigating disease impact:

Raise awareness: Educate farmers about early signs of viral diseases.
Vaccination programs: Ensure timely administration of Marek’s vaccine to chicks.
Biosecurity and hygiene: Maintain clean housing, separate age groups, and control movements of people and animals.
Sourcing chicks responsibly: Use trusted hatcheries or certified disease-free stock.
Community engagement: Agricultural extension services, NGOs, and local veterinary authorities should support farmers with training, monitoring, and follow-up.

Effective prevention and management of these diseases are crucial for improving flock health, sustaining productivity, and enhancing food security at the household and community levels.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Farmers are strongly advised to consult a qualified veterinary professional before making decisions related to disease diagnosis, vaccination, or treatment. Juba Poultry Consult and the author are not responsible for any misapplication of the information provided.

06/10/2025

It is always important to monitor the feed intake of your chicks to ensure that your poultry business remains efficient and profitable. Knowing how much feed your birds consume each day helps you manage your resources wisely and avoid wastage or shortages. Overfeeding leads to unnecessary expenses and can cause obesity or health issues, while underfeeding may result in stunted growth, poor production, and weak immunity.

By tracking the daily feed consumption, you can easily determine whether your chicks are feeding well, identify early signs of illness, and adjust rations according to their age and growth stage. Consistent feed monitoring also helps you plan your purchases, balance your feed formulas, and maintain accurate production records.

Remember, successful poultry management starts with proper feed control—ensuring that your chicks receive the right nutrients in the right amounts for healthy growth and sustainable productivity.

04/10/2025

Common Malpractice in Chickens and Solutions: South Sudan

By Vukeni Christopher Ojja, Juba Poultry Consult – South Sudan

Malpractice in poultry farming refers to improper practices in the management, feeding, health care, and housing of chickens that negatively impact their health, productivity, and welfare. Such malpractices can lead to poor growth, high mortality, disease outbreaks, and economic losses for farmers. Understanding these issues and implementing proper solutions is vital for sustainable poultry production in South Sudan.

Common Malpractices in Chicken Farming:

1. Poor Housing and Hygiene
Malpractice: Overcrowded or poorly ventilated chicken houses, accumulation of litter, and unclean water and feeders.
Consequences: Respiratory infections, increased stress, reduced egg production, and rapid spread of diseases.

Solution:
Construct well-ventilated, spacious poultry houses with dry litter.
Clean feeders, drinkers, and housing regularly.
Implement biosecurity measures to prevent disease entry.

2. Improper Feeding Practices
Malpractice: Feeding chickens with inappropriate or low-quality feed, or inconsistent feeding schedules.
Consequences: Malnutrition, poor growth, reduced egg production, and increased susceptibility to disease.

Solution:
Provide age-appropriate balanced feed (starter, grower, finisher, layer mash).
Ensure clean drinking water is always available.
Consult a poultry nutritionist for proper feed formulation.

3. Neglect of Vaccination and Health Care
Malpractice: Skipping vaccination schedules or using unverified veterinary products.
Consequences: Outbreaks of Newcastle Disease, Fowl Pox, Marek’s Disease, and other infections.

Solution:
Follow a strict vaccination and deworming schedule recommended by a licensed veterinarian.
Observe chickens daily for early signs of disease.
Isolate and treat sick birds promptly.

4. Excessive or Misuse of Drugs and Antibiotics
Malpractice: Overuse of antibiotics, unprescribed medications, or using drugs as growth promoters without supervision.
Consequences: Drug resistance, toxicity, residues in eggs and meat, and poor flock health.

Solution:
Use drugs only under veterinary guidance.
Maintain proper records of drug use.
Follow withdrawal periods before selling eggs or meat.

5. Egg Eating and Cannibalism
Malpractice: Failing to provide enough nutrition, rough handling, or overcrowding.
Consequences: Loss of eggs, injuries, reduced productivity, and stress.

Solution:
Provide sufficient calcium and protein in feed.
Reduce overcrowding and improve lighting conditions.
Use anti-pecking measures such as beak trimming (with veterinary guidance).

6. Ignoring Record Keeping and Farm Planning
Malpractice: Not tracking production, feed consumption, mortality, or costs.
Consequences: Difficulty identifying problems, poor financial management, and inability to improve productivity.

Solution:
Keep detailed records of feed, egg production, mortality, and expenses.
Develop a simple farm management plan to track performance and plan improvements.

Conclusion
Malpractice in chicken farming is a major barrier to profitable and sustainable poultry production. By adopting proper housing, feeding, health care, and management practices, farmers can significantly reduce losses and improve flock performance. Consistent monitoring, proper veterinary care, and record-keeping are key pillars of success.

Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only.
Always consult a licensed veterinarian or poultry expert before administering drugs, vaccines, or major management changes.
Juba Poultry Consult and the author are not liable for any losses, damages, or health issues that may occur from misapplication of these recommendations.
Practices should be adapted to local conditions, climate, and regulations in South Sudan.

04/10/2025

Poultry Health & Feeding Q&A (Chicks to Layers)
By Vukeni Christopher Ojja of Juba poultry Consult

1. Feeding
Q1: What should I feed my chicks (0–8 weeks)?
👉 Give Chick Mash made from maize, bran, soybean/groundnut cake, fish meal, limestone, bone meal, premix, and salt.

Example for 50 kg feed:
Maize – 25 kg
Bran – 5 kg
Soybean/groundnut cake – 10 kg
Fish meal – 5 kg
Limestone – 1 kg
Bone meal – 1 kg
Premix – 0.25 kg
Salt – 0.25 kg
Q2: What feed do I give growers (8–20 weeks)?
👉 Give Grower Mash with moderate protein.

Example for 50 kg feed:

Maize – 20 kg
Bran – 10 kg
Soybean/groundnut cake – 8 kg
Fish meal – 3 kg
Limestone – 4 kg
Bone meal – 3 kg
Premix – 0.25 kg
Salt – 0.25 kg

Q3: What feed should I give layers (20+ weeks)?
👉 Give Layer Mash rich in calcium for egg production.

Example for 50 kg feed:
Maize – 20 kg
Bran – 7 kg
Soybean/groundnut cake – 8 kg
Fish meal – 3 kg
Limestone – 10 kg
Bone meal – 1 kg
Premix – 0.25 kg
Salt – 0.25 kg

2. Medicines & Drugs:

Q4: What medicines do chicks need?
👉 Multivitamins, coccidiostats (Amprolium), and dewormers (Piperazine/Levamisole). Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Enrofloxacin) only if prescribed by a vet.
Q5: What drugs are used in growers?
👉 Deworm every 6–8 weeks (Levamisole, Albendazole, Piperazine). Use multivitamins and antibiotics like Tylosin or Tetracycline only when prescribed.
Q6: What medicines do layers need?
👉 Multivitamins, calcium supplements, dewormers (every 2–3 months), and antibiotics (Tylosin, Enrofloxacin) only if a vet prescribes. Dusting powders are used against lice and mites.

3. Vaccinations
Q7: When should chicks be vaccinated?
👉Day 1–3: Marek’s (if available at hatchery)
Day 5–7: Newcastle Disease
Day 10–14: Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease)
Day 18–21: Gumboro booster
Day 21–28: Newcastle booster
Q8: What about growers (8–20 weeks)?
👉Week 6–8: Fowl Typhoid
Week 10–12: Newcastle booster
Week 12–14: Fowl Pox
Week 14–16: Infectious Bronchitis
Q9: And layers (20+ weeks)?
👉Before laying (16–18 weeks): Newcastle + Infectious Bronchitis booster
During laying (every 2–3 months): Newcastle booster

4. General Care
Q10: How often should I deworm poultry?
👉 Every 6–8 weeks for growers, and every 2–3 months for layers.
Q11: What should I do before giving vaccines?
👉 Avoid antibiotics 2–3 days before/after, use clean (no chlorine) water, and vaccinate in the cool hours of the day.
Q12: What is most important for poultry health?
👉 Good nutrition, vaccination, hygiene, clean water, and regular veterinary consultation.

⚠️ Disclaimer
This Q&A is a general guide on poultry feeding, medicines, and vaccination. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before mixing feeds, giving drugs, or vaccinating birds. Local disease prevalence may require different programs.

04/10/2025

General Poultry Medicines & Drugs (Chicks to Layers).
By Vukeni Christopher Ojja of Juba poultry Consult

These general medicine and drug guide for poultry from chick stage to layers will help you to prevent and manage common diseases, though always remember drugs should only be given under veterinary guideline

1. Chicks Stage (0–8 weeks)
✅ Preventive & supportive care
Multivitamins (e.g., Vitalyte, Amino-vite, Stressmix, Enervit) → Mix in drinking water to boost immunity & reduce stress.
Coccidiostats (e.g., Amprolium, ESB3, Coxistac) → Prevent/control coccidiosis.

Antibiotics (only if prescribed):
Oxytetracycline / Doxycycline → For respiratory & gut infections.
Enrofloxacin → For bacterial infections (use carefully, short withdrawal period).

Dewormers (at 4–6 weeks):
Piperazine → Roundworms.
Levamisole → Broad spectrum.

2. Grower Stage (8–20 weeks)
✅ Focus: Disease prevention & deworming:

Multivitamins → Continue in stress periods (vaccination, weather changes).
Coccidiosis control → Amprolium / Sulfa drugs if outbreak occurs.

Deworming (every 6–8 weeks):

Levamisole, Albendazole, Piperazine.
Antibiotics (if necessary & prescribed):
Tylosin / Tetracycline → For chronic respiratory disease (CRD).
Aliseryl / Sulfaquinoxaline → For bacterial & protozoal infections.

3. Layers Stage (20+ weeks)

✅ Focus: Egg production & disease control
Calcium + Vitamin D supplements → Strengthen eggshells (e.g., Layer Booster, Shellmax).
Multivitamins & electrolytes → During heat stress & egg-laying peak.

Deworming (every 2–3 months):
Rotate Levamisole, Albendazole, Piperazine.
Antibiotics (if sick, under vet advice):
Tylosin → Respiratory disease.
Enrofloxacin → Broad bacterial infections.
Tetracycline → General bacterial control.
Anti-parasitic dust/powders → Control lice & mites.

🐔 Additional Notes

Always observe withdrawal periods (time after drug use before eating eggs or meat).
Use clean water, proper sanitation, and vaccination programs to reduce drug use.
Avoid overuse of antibiotics to prevent resistance.
Store all medicines in cool, dry, and safe condition.

⚠️ Disclaimer
This guide provides general information on poultry drugs. Actual treatment should always follow the advice of a qualified veterinarian, depending on disease diagnosis, flock condition, and local regulations.

04/10/2025

🐓 Poultry Feed Formulations (50 kg Bags)
By Vukeni Christopher Ojja ofJuba poultry Consult

1. Chick Mash (0–8 weeks)
Maize (yellow/white) – 25 kg
Wheat bran / maize bran – 5 kg
Soybean meal / sunflower cake / groundnut cake – 10 kg
Fish meal (omena/dagaa) – 5 kg
Limestone powder – 1 kg
Bone meal – 1 kg
Vitamin & mineral premix – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Salt – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Methionine / Lysine (optional) – 50–100 g
🔑 High protein (18–20%) for fast growth and bone development.

2. Grower Mash (8–20 weeks)
Maize (yellow/white) – 20 kg
Wheat bran / maize bran – 10 kg
Soybean meal / sunflower cake / groundnut cake – 8 kg
Fish meal (omena/dagaa) – 3 kg
Limestone powder – 4 kg
Bone meal – 3 kg
Vitamin & mineral premix – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Salt – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Methionine / Lysine (optional) – 50–100 g
🔑 Moderate protein (16–18%) for body development without excess fat.

3. Layer Mash (20 weeks onward)
Maize (yellow/white) – 20 kg
Wheat bran / maize bran – 7 kg
Soybean meal / sunflower cake / groundnut cake – 8 kg
Fish meal (omena/dagaa) – 3 kg
Limestone powder (fine) – 10 kg
Bone meal – 1 kg
Vitamin & mineral premix – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Salt – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Methionine / Lysine (optional) – 50–100 g
🔑 Calcium-rich (3.5–4%) for strong eggshells and continuous laying.

⚠️ Disclaimer
These formulations are general guidelines for poultry feeding. Nutritional needs may vary depending on breed, environment, and local ingredient quality.

Note:
👉 It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified veterinarian or animal nutritionist before mixing or formulating feeds to ensure proper balance, prevent deficiencies, and avoid toxicities.

04/10/2025

How to mix 50 kg chick mash.
By Vukeni Christopher Ojja of Juba poultry Consult

Chick Mash Formula (50 kg) for (chicks 0–8 weeks)

Maize (yellow/white) – 25 kg
Wheat bran / maize bran – 5 kg
Soybean meal / groundnut cake / sunflower cake – 10 kg
Fish meal (omena/dagaa) – 5 kg
Limestone powder – 1 kg
Bone meal – 1 kg
Vitamin & mineral premix – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Salt – 0.25 kg (250 g)
Methionine / Lysine (optional) – 50–100 g

Mixing Guide

1. Weigh each ingredient correctly.
2. Crush maize and other large ingredients into fine form.
3. Mix all protein sources (soybean, fish meal, groundnut cake).
4. Add bran, bone meal, and limestone.
5. Finally, add the premix, salt, and amino acids.
6. Mix thoroughly until uniform.

Contact: 0923 419 563

04/10/2025

MARKETING IN BROILER FARMING
By Vukeni Christopher Ojja

How can I market my birds is one question many farmers ask.....
Keeping birds is not enough, selling them is one of the reasons poultry farmers quit. Marketing in broiler farming is all about how you sell your birds profitably after production. Since broiler farming is time-sensitive (birds are usually ready for market in 6–8 weeks), good marketing ensures you don’t keep them longer than necessary, which reduces profit.

HOW CAN I MARKET MY BIRDS
1. Market Research
Identify your target customers: households, restaurants, hotels, caterers, meat shops, frozen food dealers.
Understand market demand: festive seasons (Christmas, Easter, Sallah, weddings, parties) often bring higher demand.
Study competitors: pricing, packaging, and distribution channels.

2. TIMING
Sell when birds reach market weight usually 2–3 kg in 4 to 6weeks
Avoid keeping them too long because extra feed = reduced profit
Target festive and high-demand periods.

3. PROMOTIONS AND ADVERTS
Word of mouth (friends, family, local connections).
Social media marketing (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok) with pictures/videos of healthy birds.
Loyalty deals (discounts for bulk buyers, festive season promos).
Partnerships with food vendors.

4. PRICING
Set competitive but profitable prices.
Consider production cost (feed, drugs, labor, electricity) + profit margin.
Differentiate between wholesale and retail pricing

5. BRANDING AND VALUE ADDITION
Package frozen chicken in hygienic branded packs.
Offer cuts (whole, half, wings, drumsticks, gizzards) – customers pay more for convenience.

6. MARKETS STRATEGIES
Direct Sales: Selling live birds to consumers or retailers.
Processed Sales: Dressing (slaughtering, cleaning, packaging) and selling as frozen chicken (often more profitable).
Bulk Contracts: Supplying schools, restaurants, fast food outlets, supermarkets, or hotels.
Farm Gate Sales: Customers come directly to the farm for live purchase.
Retail/Wholesale Distribution: Supplying market women, retailers, or cold room operators.

04/10/2025

HOME REMEDY OR MANAGEMENT OF TEN MOST COMMON PROBLEMS.(Repeated). This is MAINLY supportive care.

1. WORMS(only supportive)
A. Garlic+pawpaw seeds+ginger+bitter leaf. Grind them together and add to water.
B. Crush a couple of garlic and put them into a sock. Sock ni hiyo mnaita socks. Hang this in the water bucket and add a small splosh of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar will help her gut system.
Remember i said it's supportive care.

2. COCCIDIOSIS.
A.Organic remedy-bitter leaf. Extracting the juice and adding water.
B. Epsom salt- perform an epsom bath and provide the epsom to the chicken to control diarrhoea.
C. Aloe vera- a general health food and immune booster.
D. Oregano extract- it will prevent secondary infestation. It will also treat parasite infestation agents like coccidia.
E. Cloves- they are strong fighters against parasites like coccidia.

3. E.COLI
* Epsom salt for diarrhea caused by E.coli.
* Garlic to improve the immune system and prevent parasites. It should be fed in small quantities.
* Oregano -treats parasites and prevents secondary infestation.

4. GUMBORO
* aloe Vera. Only improve the immune system. It is important to note that viral infections have no cure.

5. INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS AND OTHER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS.
* In cold weather, increasing the ambient temperature may reduce mortalities, reducing the protein concentrations in feed and providing electrolytes in drinking water
* garlic grounded and put in a sock, hang in a bucket of water.
* garlic+Ginger+moringer seed/leaf. Blend them together.
* Aloe Vera juice extract.
It is also important to note that infectious bronchitis has no cure. We only treat for secondary infections, improve the immunity system and perform control measures.
6. INTERNAL BLEEDING .
vitamins.
Call a veterinary officer.

7. COUGH AND SNEEZING.

* Ginger+garlic+dry cayenne pepper. Blend and offer the extract.
* Thyme is a great herb for aiding in the respiratory health of your chickens. It also has antibiotic and antibacterial properties. You can provide your flock with Thyme by giving it to them fresh so they can eat it when they choose, or you can add the dried herb to their feed.

8. PARALYSIS (difficulty in movement).

* Provide more calcium.
* grind bone meal and give them to increase calcium content.
* Grind egg shells and add to feed.
9. Newcastle disease.

A. Aloe Vera. Peel the green part out. Use the remaining whitish part to make a good blend. Add water or juice.
B. Put a litre of water in a container. Add 8 seeds of red pepper. Dip into the concoction a freshly cut aloe vera leaf. Give to the chicken for three days.

10. FOWL POX. Very many methods of controlling the disease.
* rub red oil on to the affected parts.
* feed them aloe vera in water.
* feed them a chicken probiotic found at most feed stores.
* put some oregano essential oil to their drinking water.
* add raw apple cider vinegar to their water.
* add raw, crushed garlic to their feed and water.
* Apply shoe polish on the dry pox areas with scabs or lesions.
* Apply Colgate on the dry pox areas with scabs or lesions.
****Again remember most of these diseases have no cure, we only apply measures to control secondary infections, boost a chicken's immune system, and also to cure the few diseases that are curable.
***Always consult your vet before application of any medical process.

Incubating the future