How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm - Agriculture - Nairaland
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| How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 4:23pm On Mar 20 |
🐔 We Lost 900 Birds in 4 Weeks… Newcastle Disease Ended My Father’s Poultry Farm Good day farmers, This is not theory… this is something I experienced myself. Back in 2015, I was just 16 years old when my father decided to start a family poultry farm here in Port Harcourt. He was Hardworking, dedicated and Ready to invest, But one thing he lacked… was practical experience and training. How It All Started He started big with 2,000 day-old chicks. Every morning, we would wear our boots and walk to the farm. It was just about 3 minutes from our house. Everything felt promising and We all believed we were going to be swimming in chicken money by December  .......We didn’t know what was coming.The Small Sign That Changed Everything One morning, we noticed something small: * One bird looked dull * Another didn’t rush for feed * A few were just standing quietly To a new farmer, this is nothing. But today, as someone with experience… I can tell you: That was a CODE RED T[b]he Mistake That Cost Us Everything[/b] We ignored it. My dad said: Maybe it’s stress… maybe weather change… after all, this Port Harcourt heat no be here 😅” But within 2–3 days… Everything changed. * Birds started coughing * Some were gasping * Feed consumption dropped * Then deaths started Newcastle disease hit the farm so fast and so hard…We didn’t even understand what was happening. Before we could react: * Birds were dying daily * Weak ones couldn’t stand * The infection kept spreading By week 4… We were using wheelbarrows to pack dead birds for burial. 👉 We lost about 900 birds - 💔 The Pain was More Than Emotion....Its Financial If you are farming in Nigeria, you already understand: * Feed is expensive * Medication costs money * Day-old chicks are not cheap So losing birds like that is not just painful… 👉 It is a serious financial setback. In our case, it got worse. * The farm had to shut down * My father’s health became unstable * He was admitted in the hospital for a week That period was very tough for our family. That experience stayed with me. I kept asking myself: “What really killed those birds?” That was when I made a decision: 👉 I would understand what went wrong. ❌ The Mistakes We Made (Many Farmers Still Make This Today Looking back now, with years of experience in the field, I realize we made several serious mistakes: the most important being that my father didn't go for practical training. * We didn’t act fast when we saw early signs * We allowed people to enter the poultry freely * We vaccinated, but not correctly * We assumed “it won’t happen to us” That last one is dangerous. What 5 Years of Experience Has Taught Me 👉 Hard work is not enough 👉 Dedication is not enough 👉 Finance is not enough If you don’t apply knowledge in the right areas, you will still lose money. It’s been over 11 years since that incident. Since then, I have: * Undergone practical training * Worked with commercial poultry operations * Learned from agro-based institutions Today: 👉 I run a 500-capacity broiler cycle every 2–3 months 👉 With less than 2% mortality Being a successful poultry farmer is not enough payback. I’ve written a more detailed guide for poultry farmers to help them overcome the “green monster” (Newcastle disease) that hit us 11 years ago. It covers everything a farmer needs to know about combating Newcastle disease. If you’re interested, you can check it out here: https://selar.com/301793z031 No big grammar. Just what works. 🤝 Let’s Learn From Each Other, I ll always check back to see your response and questions * Have you ever experienced sudden mortality like this? * What signs did you notice first? * How do you currently handle vaccination? Let’s share… someone might learn something important.
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| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Ebi212: 4:34pm On Mar 20 |
Newcastle is a serious problem o, even after vaccinations our birds still fall sick.... Omo I'm just tired, last week we just lost 8 good big birds ........ 2 Likes |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 4:55pm On Mar 20 |
Ebi212:sorry, e no easy ....especially in Nigeria there are so many factors that cause the Newcastle outbreak that farmers are constantly facing. One of the most demoralizing is fake vaccines. fake, expired and dead vaccines is a heartbreaking reality that many farmers are not aware of. Honestly, there is a special kind of frustration that comes with doing everything right—spending the money and putting in the work—only to be sabotaged by someone selling fake or poorly stored vaccines. It’s not just a "mistake" at that point; it’s economic sabotage To the best of my ability and experience, I have thoroughly addressed all these issues and how to avoid them in the guide I attached to the post." 1 Like |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Jakarta: 4:56pm On Mar 20 |
Information marketers with their super stories, all for the ebook billing. 1 Like |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 5:01pm On Mar 20 |
Jakarta:I hear you! But 900 dead birds isn’t a 'story', it was a family disaster. I’m sharing this because no farmer deserves to lose millions to fake vaccines like we did. Feel free to ask any questions right here; I’m just happy to help fellow farmers succeed 1 Like 1 Share |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Wealthyonos(m): 5:02pm On Mar 20 |
I won't be surprised if the story na fake 1 Like |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Ebi212: 5:11pm On Mar 20 |
SuperiorAgro:Boss, Like if I want to quickly spot this Newcastle disease, how do I know? |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 5:31pm On Mar 20 |
Ebi212:Chairman for me the best na to focus more on early signs. If you wait until you start seeing twisted necks or paralysis, omo, it is already too late The easiest way to spot it early is to watch your birds while feeding; healthy birds must struggle for food when they are hungry. If you feed them in the morning and see one or two just standing by 'watching film,' remove them immediately. It might not even be Newcastle; it fit be Coccidiosis. Once you separate the bird, wait for it to drop. That greenish poop doesn't just appear dark green all at once, it starts from a very light green. Look out for that change. for me on the spot if I see them, I know and all that information is in the material too..... 1 Like |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Jakarta: 6:09pm On Mar 20 |
SuperiorAgro:Sharing this? The right word should be selling this. Information marketers, with their billing formats, always forming the Jesus Christ of our time just to have access to our wallets. |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Richman2023: 7:48pm On Mar 20 |
SuperiorAgro:Na good book, it might be worth it......But na only one chapter you give free?... I for like see like chapter 2 too before I buy. The intro go well |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Jakarta: 7:59pm On Mar 20 |
Alt account to boost the billing format, I hail. |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 9:26pm On Mar 20 |
Jakarta:hmmmmm |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 9:28pm On Mar 20 |
Jakarta:I don't understand the part that’s giving you a headache. The way you keep using this word 'billing,' I can already tell the kind of person you are. I can assure you, I am not that type; I don't cheat people. Is it the fact that I offer people free poultry advice, or the fact that there is a really helpful book involved? You know there is a name for what you’re doing—it’s called bad belle. I can’t imagine wasting my data and time stalking someone I don't even know for free. Besides, you should probably be in the sports betting section. You likely don’t even know the difference between a cockerel and a broiler... please, kindly mind your business |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Jakarta: 9:39pm On Mar 20 |
SuperiorAgro:Offer free poultry advice indeed, billing people from your AI generated ebooks, you are a scammer that wants to defraud people of their hard earned money all in the guise of giving people free advice oga cheerful giver. 1 Like |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 4:16pm On Mar 21 |
Lets Talk About :The Role of Footbath in Preventing Newcastle Disease Most disease outbreaks on poultry farms don’t start inside the pen—they are carried in on your shoes. During my first training on a livestock farm, I learned that one of the simplest tools—the footbath—can determine whether your flock survives or not. A footbath is a shallow container filled with disinfectant, placed at the entrance to clean footwear before entry. It may seem basic, but it blocks one of the most common routes of infection. Diseases like Newcastle disease spread easily through contaminated footwear. When you walk through markets, other farms, or areas with droppings, harmful organisms stick to your shoes and are carried straight into your birds if no disinfection is done. I once saw a farm that had a footbath, but it was poorly maintained—dirty, weak, and often ignored. Workers stepped over it daily. Within weeks, when the weather was just right for the virus to thrive, the farm suffered a severe Newcastle outbreak and lost a large portion of its flock. This is the reality: vaccination alone is not enough. If your biosecurity is weak, disease will keep entering your farm. Simple habits matter—like never moving from older birds to younger ones without proper sanitation. Take footbathing seriously. Your next step into the pen could either protect your birds or destroy them. Before you step into your poultry house today, take a moment to go through my guide on controlling Newcastle disease. It highlights crucial and simple mistakes many farmers overlook; mistakes that can quietly destroy an entire flock.
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| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Richman2023: 7:31am On Mar 22 |
SuperiorAgro:Nice one |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 12:30am On Mar 24 |
*NATIONAL HEAT STRESS ADVISORY FOR POULTRY FARMERS IN NIGERIA* *March 2026 | Industry Advisory | Agriculture & Food Security* *NIGERIA FACES RISING POULTRY MORTALITY AMID EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS* Nigeria is currently experiencing elevated temperatures and widespread heat stress conditions, as indicated by recent advisories from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Across several regions of the country, poultry farmers are reporting increasing cases of mortality, reduced feed intake, declining egg production, and heightened disease vulnerability. This development signals a critical threat to poultry production, with implications for food security, livelihoods, and inflation dynamics within the agricultural sector. * Note that this is no longer a routine seasonal occurrence, but a climate-driven production risk requiring urgent and coordinated intervention. *WHY POULTRY BIRDS ARE HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO HEAT STRESS* Poultry birds lack sweat glands and depend primarily on panting to regulate body temperature. Under extreme heat conditions: • Birds experience respiratory distress and metabolic imbalance • Feed intake declines significantly, weakening immunity • Heat load overwhelms physiological limits, leading to sudden mortality • Productivity declines across both broilers and layers The current heat index—combining temperature and humidity—has exceeded safe physiological thresholds in many parts of Nigeria. *WHAT FARMERS MUST DO IMMEDIATELY* *1. Prioritize Water Management* • Provide cool, clean water continuously • Supplement drinking water with electrolytes and Vitamin C • Flush drinkers regularly to prevent heat buildup *Warm water accelerates heat stress and increases mortality risk*. *2. Enhance Ventilation and Airflow* • Open poultry houses for maximum air circulation • Deploy fans or natural cross-ventilation where available • Avoid stagnant air conditions Poor ventilation can be more deadly than high temperature alone. *3. Adjust Feeding Practices* • Feed birds during cool periods only: • Early morning (5:00–7:00 AM) • Late evening (6:00–8:00 PM) • Avoid feeding during peak heat hours *Feeding during high temperatures increases internal heat load*. *4. Implement Low-Cost Cooling Measures* • Wet poultry house roofs during peak heat hours • Use shade nets, thatch, or local materials to reduce heat absorption • Sprinkle water around the environment (not directly on birds in cages) *5. Reduce Stocking Density* • Avoid overcrowding • Separate weak or heat-affected birds *Overcrowding intensifies heat stress and accelerates losses*. *6. Administer Anti-Stress Support* • Provide multivitamins, electrolytes, and liver tonics • Maintain consistent supplementation during heat periods *7. Suspend Stress-Inducing Activities* During extreme heat, farmers should avoid: • Vaccination • Transportation • Debeaking and handling *WARNING SIGNS FARMERS MUST MONITOR* Farmers should watch for early indicators of heat stress: • Open-mouth breathing (panting) • Wings spread out • Reduced feed intake • Clustering near water sources *Delayed response significantly increases mortality risk*. *CALL FOR NATIONAL COORDINATION AND POLICY RESPONSE* The current situation highlights the urgent need for climate-smart livestock management systems in Nigeria.: • Enhanced collaboration between NiMet, agricultural agencies, and poultry associations • Development of a national heat stress early warning system for livestock • Investment in climate-resilient poultry housing and cooling infrastructure • Expanded farmer education through extension services and mass media *CONCLUSION: A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR ACTION* Heat stress is no longer a minor seasonal concern but a systemic risk to Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food systems. Timely intervention, improved farm management practices, and coordinated national response can significantly reduce poultry mortality and safeguard farmer livelihoods. |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 4:10am On Mar 25 |
Today make we look at one part wey many farmers no really understand; the nervous system. Na here the disease dey show its real damage. From experience, Newcastle no just stop for lungs or digestion. Sometimes, e go deeper enter the bird’s nerve system. When that one happen, the signs go change. You fit see bird wey dey fine before suddenly become weak, e no fit stand well again. Some go twist their neck, others go dey turn in circles like say something no dey right for their head. You go even notice wing dropping or loss of balance. As we dey talk, once it reach this stage, e serious well well. From wetin I’ve seen over time, recovery at this point no dey easy. That’s why I always say—focus on preventing am early, no be when signs don show finish. There’s a reason I took time to explain this thing step by step. farmers wey truly understand how this disease works no dey panic when others dey lose birds. check am out here: https://9rk6y0./SampleChapter |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Richman2023: 1:33am On Mar 26 |
Which chemicals do you mix for the footbath ? |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 6:45am On Mar 27 |
Richman2023:There are many disinfectants available at supply stores but for me I use either vinkokill or Glutaraldehyde. They are highly effective at killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
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| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Ebi212: 5:55am On Mar 28 |
what is the treatment for Newcastle disease? |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 2:21am On Mar 30 |
Ebi212:There is no cure for Newcastle disease once a bird is infected. Treatment focuses on supportive care: providing multivitamins, electrolytes, and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections. the best strategy is prevention through vaccination and keeping the farm clean to protect the rest of the flock, in detail I have clearly explained how to perform ND vaccination in the material I attached to the post at the very top of this thread, check it out |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 7:32am On Apr 02 |
If you dey rear birds, you need to shine your eyes well because some signs dey hide. One of the dangerous signs of Newcastle disease na paralysis. You fit notice say your bird go dey limp like say nail shook him leg, wings go don dey heavy am to carry, or the bird no go fit stand again sef. Sometimes dem go just lie down, no strength to move. This one mean say the Newcastle virus don attack their nervous system. No take am play at all. Once you see this kind sign, quickly separate the bird from others and check your flock well. Early action fit save the rest of your birds. every thing way you go carry know this signs, dey inside the material I attach for that first post for up, check am out |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Tohsynetita1(m): 10:07pm On Apr 05 |
No be only Newcastle, Arsenal nko ? Just say you want to sell book |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 6:14pm On Apr 08*. Modified: 2:54am On Apr 09 |
Tohsynetita1:Funny, but it's infact a name of a very deadly poultry disease that affects many types of birds It got its name from Newcastle, Newcastle as in, Newcastle City not Newcastle United FC It's called Newcastle disease because the first officially recognized and scientifically documented outbreak occurred in Newcastle in 1926 1 Like |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by Tohsynetita1(m): 6:19pm On Apr 08 |
SuperiorAgro:I knew this in agriculture, cooccidiosis,fowl pox , pneumonia are also among poultry diseases. But, the fact is no diseases ravaged the farm, it's just advert strategy. |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 2:53am On Apr 09 |
Tohsynetita1:No bro, its not super story ...... Yes, I wrote a very insightful ebook on the disease, but I believe sharing my story is more impactful than just a sales pitch. its not very easy proving a thing that was functional more than 11 years ago but I ll try. The old abandoned farm is mostly unrecognizable right now, it's been more than a decade but I’m going to get some photos to clear the air since you’ve called me out. after so many years the original poultry house structure is being converted into an apartments as we speak, but the farm also had 22 concrete fish ponds; what's left of the ponds is still there. You don't build 22 ponds and abandon them for no reason, right?.... I think a few shots of the old place is the most I can do. |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 5:47am On Apr 09 |
PEAK SEASON FOR NEWCASTLE DISEASE Harmattan and Newcastle Disease (ND) are five and six, Many poultry farmers think Newcastle Disease (ND) only happens by "bad luck." Truth is, the Harmattan season is the peak time for ND in Nigeria. Why? Because the dry wind carries the virus like dust from one farm to another. Small cold wey catch your birds fit turn to "twisted neck" before you know it. As the weather dey change, the stress makes it easy for the virus to enter. Abeg, don't wait for your birds to start gasping. don't fail to Vaccinate your birds as at when due, LaSota is cheaper than losing 1,000 birds. |
| Re: How Newcastle Disease Crashed My Father’s 2,000 Bird Poultry Farm by SuperiorAgro(op): 2:43pm On Apr 27 |
Why "Vaccinated" Birds Still Die (The Cold Chain Secret) "But I vaccinated them!" This is the most painful thing a farmer can say while picking up dead birds. If you buy a LaSota vaccine and it gets warm for even 10 minutes before it hits the water, you are just giving your birds "expensive water." The Newcastle virus vaccine is live. If the "Cold Chain" breaks, from the shop to your farm, the vaccine dies. Also, never vaccinate a bird that is already stressed or showing signs of CRD; the vaccine will actually trigger the outbreak instead of preventing it. Has anyone here ever vaccinated and still faced an outbreak? Let’s talk about where it went wrong. |
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