Poultry farming, primarily focusing on broilers (meat) and layers (eggs), is a vital pillar of Kenya’s agricultural sector, providing affordable protein, employment, and economic opportunities from large-scale operations to backyard flocks. Success hinges on meticulous, stage-specific health management to combat prevalent diseases, stress, and productivity losses. Murphy Chemicals Kenya offers a comprehensive portfolio of trusted veterinary products, feed additives, and disinfectants to support farmers at every phase of the production cycle.
Critical Foundation: Biosecurity & Hygiene
Before addressing growth stages, strict biosecurity is non-negotiable. This prevents the introduction and spread of pathogens like Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease, and E. coli.
Murphy Chemicals Recommendation: Murphy Farm Guard® or similar iodophor/aldehyde-based disinfectants. Used for:
Fumigating and disinfecting poultry houses, equipment, and footwear (between batches and routinely) Sanitizing drinking lines and water tanks.
Stages of Poultry Growth & Recommended Murphy Products
Stage 1: Brooding (Day 1 to Week 3-4)
Objective: Ensure chick survival, thermoregulation, and strong early development.
Key Practices: Provide optimal temperature (35°C at day 1), 24-hour light, high-quality starter feed, and clean water.
Major Health Challenges: Omphalitis (navel ill), yolk sac infection, early chick mortality, coccidiosis, and bacterial infections (E. coli, Salmonella).
Murphy Chemicals Recommendations:
Water Sanitation & Gut Health:
- Murphy Farm Guard®. A water sanitizer used at low doses to keep drinking water clean and reduce bacterial load.
- Murphy EcoLime®. Added to litter to control moisture, ammonia, and bacterial growth, creating a healthier environment.
- Coccidiosis Prevention (Prophylaxis): Murphy Coxigon® or Amprolium-based products. Administered in water as per schedule (often days 5-9 and repeated) to prevent this devastating protozoal disease.
- Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic (Therapeutic/Preventive): Murphy Tylodox® Plus (Tylosin + Doxycycline) or AmoxyColi® (Amoxicillin). Used under veterinary advice to treat or prevent early bacterial infections, often during stress periods.
- Multivitamins & Stress Relief: Murphy Stresroak®. A vitamin, electrolyte, and amino acid complex. Crucial for the first 3-5 days to combat dehydration, transport stress, and boost immunity.
Stage 2: Growth Phase (Broilers: Week 2-5; Layers: Week 4-10)
- Objective: Maximize efficient weight gain (broilers) and steady frame development (pullets).
- Key Practices: Transition to grower feed, reduce temperature gradually, provide adequate space, and maintain vaccination schedules.
- Major Health Challenges: Coccidiosis (breakthrough), Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD), E. coli infections, Gumboro (IBD), and worms.
Murphy Chemicals Recommendations:
- Coccidiosis Control: Continued use of Coxigon® or rotation with other ionophore anticoccidials in feed (if using medicated feeds).
- Respiratory & Enteric Disease Treatment:
- Murphy Tylodox® Plus. A first-line treatment for CRD complicated with E. coli (airsacculitis).
- Murphy Coli-Trac® (Trimethoprim + Sulphadiazine). For targeted control of E. coli and Salmonella infections.
- Deworming: Murphy Avi-Mectin® (Ivermectin) or Piperazine. Broad-spectrum dewormer administered in water to control roundworms and capillaria.
- Nutrition & Liver Health: Murphy Livergen®. A liver tonic containing essential amino acids (Lysine, Methionine) and vitamins that supports metabolism, improves feed conversion ratio (FCR), and aids detoxification.
Stage 3: Finishing Phase (Broilers: Week 5-6+) & Pre-Lay (Layers: Week 16-18)
Objective: Final weight gain (broilers) and proper sexual maturation for optimal egg production (layers).
Key Practices: Switch to finisher feed (broilers) or pre-lay/layer feed. Provide calcium sources (grit) for layers. **Observe mandatory antibiotic withdrawal periods before slaughter.
Major Health Challenges: Metabolic disorders (ascites, leg issues), late coccidiosis, CRD flare-ups, and preparation for the stress of lay.
Murphy Chemicals Recommendations:
- Withdrawal Period Compliance: Use only non-antibiotic products as slaughter approaches.
- Stress & Productivity Support:
- Murphy Stresroak®. Used during feed changes, vaccination, or handling stress.
- Murphy Livergen®. Critical to support the liver as metabolic demand peaks.
- Calcium & Bone Strength (Layers): While provided in feed, Murphy DCP (Dicalcium Phosphate) can be used as a dietary supplement to ensure robust bone and shell formation.
Stage 4: Production Phase (Layers: Week 18-72+)
Objective: Sustain peak egg production, optimal egg quality, and flock health.
Key Practices: Provide 16 hours of light, consistent layer nutrition, frequent egg collection, and strict hygiene.
Major Health Challenges: Egg Peritonitis, cage layer fatigue, fatty liver syndrome, worm burdens, and mite/lice infestations.
Murphy Chemicals Recommendations:
- Liver & Metabolic Support: Murphy Livergen®. Continual use in water (e.g., 2-3 days monthly) is highly beneficial to maintain egg mass output and prevent fatty liver.
- Routine Deworming: Scheduled use of Avi-Mectin® every 2-3 months.
- External Parasite Control: Murphy Ectomin® (Cypermethrin) . A pyrethroid-based insecticide for spraying houses, perches, and nests to control red mites, lice, and fleas. **Birds must not be directly sprayed.
- Water Sanitation: Continuous low-dose use of Farm Guard® in drinking water.
- Calcium & Shell Quality: Murphy DCP supplementation if shells are poor.
Stage 5: Emergency & Disease Outbreak Management
For outbreaks of specific diseases (diagnosis by a vet is essential)
- Newcastle Disease: Strict vaccination (I-2, Lasota) is prevention. No effective cure. Supportive care with Stresroak® and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.
- Fowl Cholera: Murphy Tylodox® Plus or Coli-Trac® can be effective treatments.
- Infectious Coryza: Murphy Tylodox® Plus is a treatment option.
Critical Considerations for Kenyan Poultry Farmers
1. Vaccination is Paramount: Murphy provides health products but not live vaccines. Follow a strict vaccination schedule for Newcastle, Gumboro, Fowl Pox, and others. Vaccines are the primary defense.
2. Professional Veterinary Diagnosis: Always consult a veterinarian to diagnose illnesses accurately before administering antibiotics. Misuse drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
3. Withdrawal Periods: Strictly observe withdrawal periods for antibiotics and other drugs before selling eggs or slaughtering birds for meat.
4. Quality Feed & Water: Health products complement, but do not replace, balanced nutrition and clean, ad-lib water.
5. Procurement: Purchase genuine Murphy products from licensed agrovets or veterinary distributors. Avoid counterfeits.
6. Record Keeping: Maintain records of mortality, feed intake, water consumption, medication, and vaccination for better management and traceability.
By implementing a robust biosecurity protocol, adhering to a preventive health schedule, and utilizing the targeted veterinary and health products from Murphy Chemicals Kenya at each growth stage, poultry farmers can significantly reduce mortality, enhance productivity, and ensure the economic sustainability and food safety of their operations.
