Housing should provide protection against weather extremes and a suitable environment for rapid growth. Ample feed and water, space, dry friable litter, fresh water, sufficient ventilation and effective cooling also necessary for proper management. Diseases Chickens are susceptible to many diseases, some depressing performance and others causing death. Both disease incidence and mortality losses reduce the -profitability of raising chickens. Birds gown beyond eight weeks of age should be vaccinated against Mareks disease and fowl pox.
Commercial hatcheries can vaccinate saleable chickens at day-old.
Most proprietary chicken rations contain a coccidiostat at a preventive level. Where rations are mixed on the farm, always include a coccidiostat in the feed. Chickens are also susceptible to uraemia, a disease caused by the infectious bronchitis virus. Symptoms are commonly seen at four to six weeks of age, during cold, wet weather. Treatment is with molasses at a rate of 30 g of molasses to one litre of drinking water for five to seven days.