Agro Tips with Kuda

26/03/2026

19/02/2026

When experiencing unusually high mortalities in a broiler flock, (i.e. above the normal 5%) conducting a post mortem examination is not just advisable — it is essential for protecting your investment and the health of the remaining birds.

A post mortem helps identify the exact cause of death, whether it is disease, management issues, nutritional deficiencies, or environmental stress. Many poultry diseases present with similar symptoms, and guessing can lead to wrong treatments, wasted money, and continued losses. By examining the dead birds (or submitting them to a qualified veterinarian or laboratory), farmers can get an accurate diagnosis and apply the correct intervention quickly.

The benefits of conducting post mortems during high mortalities include:

• Early disease detection – Quickly identifying infections such as Newcastle disease, Gumboro, coccidiosis, or bacterial infections allows for rapid response and containment.
• Targeted treatment – Prevents unnecessary use of antibiotics or medications, reducing costs and drug resistance risks.
• Prevention of further losses – Once the root cause is known, corrective measures can be implemented immediately to save the remaining flock.
• Improved management practices – Findings may reveal ventilation problems, feed contamination, brooding errors, or biosecurity gaps that need correction.
• Better future planning – Understanding past mortality patterns helps strengthen vaccination programs and farm protocols for subsequent batches.

In broiler production, time is money. Every day of delay during high mortality increases financial losses. A timely post mortem provides clarity, guides decision-making, and helps restore flock performance faster. It is a practical, cost-effective step that every serious poultry farmer should prioritize.

Dont be just a hard working farmer, be a smart thinking one too.

18/02/2026

Interesting video. Farming is a real business that requires real business planning and ex*****on inorder to ensure success.

16/02/2026

Trust is a currency that most people ignore because it doesn’t pay immediately but in business, it is the foundation of every payment and the very thing that guarantees long term success.
If you are a person of integrity, people are willing to put themselves on the line for you because they know you will not get them burnt.
So apart refining your skills, also work on refining your character into a brand that people can trust.

12/02/2026

VENT PROLAPSE (or "blowout") IN CHICKENS

This is a condition where the vent/intestinal lining of a chicken protrudes outside of the vent due to one or a combination of underlying factors.
Chances of recovery are high if prolapse is small and intervention is done early. However if the prolapse is large and damaged or doesn't improve within 24 hours, the outcome is usually poor and a humane culling might be the best.

POSSIBLE CAUSES
STRAINING: Large eggs, especially double-yolk or misshapen ones, can stretch and damage the vent.
OBESITY: Excess abdominal fat weakens muscles and narrows the passage, causing strain.
EARLY LAYING: young layers have slightly underdeveloped bodies.
OVER-LIGHTING/HORMONES: Too much light can overstimulate egg production.
POOR REARING: Leads to weak pelvic girdle from inadequate development.

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT
1. ISOLATE IMMEDIATELY: to prevent other birds from pecking the protruding red tissue (cannibalism).
2. GENTLY CLEAN: the area with warm water with antiseptic (like Hibiscrub).
3. REDUCE SWELLING: Apply a water-based lubricant or hemorrhoid cream (like Preparation H/Sudocrem) to help shrink it.
4. GENTLY REPOSITION (Optional): A one-time attempt to gently push it back in with lubricant might work, but often it pops back out.
5. SLOW EGG PRODUCTION: by stopping feeding high protein or special layer feed to give the vent time to heal. Switch to mixed grains instead.
-Ensure water, vitamin C, and calcium are available during the treatment and recovery period.

PREVENTION
1. BALANCED DIET: Ensure proper calcium and fiber, avoid excess energy/protein.
2. WEIGHT CONTROL: Prevent obesity through diet and exercise.
3. PROPER REARING: Support good skeletal development before laying starts.
4. MONITOR PRODUCTION: Avoid over-lighting and ensure hens start laying at the right age.

02/01/2026

Interesting

How a Chicken Makes an Egg (Inside the 24-Hour Factory!) 🐔🥚

1️⃣ Yolk starts in the o***y
Everything begins with the yolk — the yellow “base” of the egg.
Yes, the yolk comes first… the white is fashionably late 😄

2️⃣ Ovulation happens
The yolk is released and enters the oviduct.
Basically, the assembly line officially turns on.

3️⃣ Egg white is added
Thick and thin whites wrap around the yolk as it travels along.
This part takes time — patience is key, even for chickens!

4️⃣ Protective membranes form
Two soft membranes surround the egg before the shell.
These are the layers you notice when peeling a boiled egg… usually badly 😅

5️⃣ The shell is built
Calcium forms the hard shell in the shell gland.
No calcium = weak shells = cracked egg sadness.

6️⃣ Color + final seal
Shell color is added, plus a protective coating called the bloom.
Fun twist: color depends on the breed, not what the hen eats!

🥚 Fun extras
An egg only becomes a chick if fertilized and incubated.
Double yolks happen when two yolks drop at once — jackpot eggs!

And just like that… the egg is laid, and the whole process starts again 🐔✨

28/12/2025

I'm sure we have all come across a red spot in our egg (usually around the yolk) at one point or another and had a lot of questions running through our minds.
Has it gone bad?
Was a chick starting to develop in it?
Is it from a sick hen?
And most importantly, is it even safe to eat?

Well contrary to common belief, it is not a sign that the egg was fertilized. Nope. Rather it is something that occurs when a tiny blood vessel ruptures on the yolk surface or in the hen's oviduct during egg formation and releases blood into the egg.
If anything, it indicates freshness and the egg remains very safe to eat, though some may choose to scrap the spot off. So next time you see it don't be too worried about it.

Predisposing factors that may increase the chances of having an egg with a blood spot from your hens are:
1. Stress: loud noises, sudden changes in food, lighting and temperature may increases chances.
2. Hen age/activity: older and more active hens have a higher chance of having a blood spot.
3. Nutritional factors: deficiencies in vitamins A and K, Biotin or Magnesium may sometimes cause them.

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

10/12/2025

CAUSES OF NERVOUS SIGNS IN CHICKENS

Though not very common, I'm sure some of you have seen your birds presenting signs of neck twisting, star gazing, muscle tremors, leg splits, paralysis, head tilting, imbalance and generally uncoordinated movements at one point or another. All these fall under a category we call nervous or neurological signs and can be caused by any of the things we will be discussing below.
Depending on the cause, some signs may gradually disappear and lead to a full recovery. Others however may be a little more difficult and usually result in the bird dying not from the disease itself but from the side effects of the nervous signs e.g. inability to eat drink due to a twisted neck.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

1) VIRAL INFECTIONS
i. Marek's Disease- causes paralysis, unsteady gait, head tilt, or leg weakness, often without injury. Famous for the 180° leg splits.
ii. Newcastle (NCD)- it is usually associated with very high mortalities but in its weakened form (usually due to prior vaccination) causes tremors, twisting of the head/neck (wry neck) and paralysis
iii. Avian Encephalomyelitis (AE)- Affects young chicks, causing tremors, incoordination, paralysis.
iv. Reovirus- Certain strains cause head shaking and torticollis.

2) BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
(usually associated with poor sanitation, hygiene and biosecurity measures)
i. Fowl Cholera (Pasteurella)- Inner ear infections lead to head tilting, incoordination, and brain abscesses.
ii. E. coli(Colibacillosis)- Can cause secondary neurological issues or brain abscesses.

3) TOXINS
i. Botulism- often associated with feeding birds with feed contaminated with animal remains (usually rats) that died from the disease. Causes body paralysis.

4) ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
i. Salt poisoning- Excess salt from feed or water can cause tremors, paralysis, and seizures.
ii. Sever Stress- from heat, overcrowding, predators, or travel can manifest as neurological-like symptoms or worsen existing conditions.

5) NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES
i. Vitamin E deficiency- Causes incoordination, tremors, seizures, and paralysis.
ii. Vitamin D/Calcium- Can affect neurological function.



ACTION STEPS
1. Isolate- Immediately separate birds showing signs to prevent spread.
2. Contact Vet: A veterinarian is crucial for accurate diagnosis (e.g., histology, PCR) and treatment.
3. Check Environment: Review feed, water, coop cleanliness, and potential toxins.