Monthly microbiological monitoring model for effective and economical health management of commercial layer farms

Next to cost of feed, cost on health management in commercial layer farming consumes the major part under recurring expenditure. At times of sudden outbreaks, it may shoot up to any level. However, the conventional system of health management, comprising of regular vaccination and diagnosis followed by disease treatment, though followed strictly was either not fool-proof on many times or increases the expenditure after a heavy loss either on death or on production or both. Hence a Monthly Microbiological Monitoring Model (MMMM) was designed on (i) 0.6% sample for HI serology for ND and IB, (ii) Water microbial analysis, (iii) shed sanitary analysis before and after sanitation and (iv) qualitative feed microbial analysis was undertaken as a trail run for about one year with a total annual cost of Rs. 66, 000 for one lakh birds at the rate of Rs. 0.66 per bird per year. On comparison with the total expenditure on health management incurred by the same farms during the previous year, it is found to be greatly economical and hence, the system can be adopted as a routine in at least all layer farms including breeder farms. Actual total expenditure incurred on health cover for one year on this system and that incurred during the same period last year on conventional health management in 10 farms in Namakkal were presented and gains in terms of profit per bird were discussed.