INGO FARM CARE

14/02/2026

Infectious coryza is a contagious respiratory disease of chickens caused by the bacterium Avibacterium paragallinarum. It spreads quickly in poultry flocks, especially in layers and breeders.
🐔 Clinical Signs of Infectious Coryza
Affected birds usually show:
Swelling of the face (especially around the eyes and wattles)
Nasal discharge (thick, sticky, sometimes foul-smelling)
Sneezing and coughing
Watery eyes (lacrimation)
Closed or swollen eyes
Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
Drop in egg production (can reduce by 10–40%)
Reduced feed intake
Depression and ruffled feathers
👉 Mortality is usually low, but production losses can be high.
🛡 Prevention of Infectious Coryza
1. Good Biosecurity
Restrict visitors to the poultry house
Disinfect equipment and footwear
Isolate new birds for at least 2 weeks (quarantine)
Avoid mixing birds of different ages
2. Vaccination
Use infectious coryza vaccines in endemic areas
Vaccinate pullets before they start laying
Follow manufacturer’s schedule strictly
3. Proper Housing & Management
Ensure good ventilation
Avoid overcrowding
Keep litter dry
Reduce stress (poor nutrition, sudden weather change)
4. Early Treatment
Antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, oxytetracycline) may reduce symptoms but do not completely eliminate the infection
Always consult a veterinarian before treatment
Since you’ve previously asked about poultry microbes and feed formulation, maintaining strong immunity through good nutrition (balanced protein, vitamins A & E, and minerals) will also help reduce disease impact.

09/02/2026

Shout out to our newest follower

12/01/2026

06/12/2025

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals—those with split hooves—such as:

Cattle

Goats

Sheep

Pigs

Buffalo

Some wildlife (e.g., antelopes)

It rarely infects humans, but it spreads extremely fast among animals.

Cause

FMD is caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV).
There are 7 serotypes of the virus, and they do not give cross-protection — meaning animals can be infected more than once by different strains.

How It Spreads

FMD spreads through:

Direct contact with infected animals (saliva, milk, manure, fluid from blisters)

Aerosols (airborne) over long distances

Contaminated equipment – boots, vehicles, tools

Feed or water

Animal movement and markets

The virus is very strong and can survive for long periods in the environment.

Signs and Symptoms

In Adult Animals

Fever (first sign)

Blisters (vesicles) in the mouth, tongue, gums → causing drooling

Blisters on feet → lameness, reluctance to walk

Drop in milk production

Weight loss

Loss of appetite

In Calves / Young Animals

Severe disease

Heart damage → sudden death (“tiger heart appearance”)

Why It Is Serious

Very highly contagious

Major economic losses due to reduced milk, weight gain, fertility, and trade restrictions

Animals may take long to recover or remain weak

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

Laboratory tests (PCR, virus isolation)

Treatment

There is no direct treatment for the virus.
Management includes:

Isolating infected animals

Supportive care (fluids, soft feeds, wound care)

Antibiotics only to prevent secondary bacterial infections

Prevention & Control

Vaccination (very important in endemic countries like Kenya)

Movement control of animals

Biosecurity – disinfect boots, equipment, and vehicles

Quarantine new animals for 2 weeks

Report outbreaks to veterinary authorities

Key Takeaway

Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most contagious livestock diseases. While it rarely kills adult animals, it causes major economic damage and spreads very easily. Vaccination and strict biosecurity are the best ways to prevent it.

20/11/2025

Beekeeping (also called apiculture) is the practice of keeping and managing bee colonies, usually in hives, to produce honey and other bee products. It has economic, environmental, and social benefits — and it can be done even on a small piece of land.

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🐝 What Beekeeping Entails

Beekeeping involves:

Providing hives for bees (traditional, Kenya top bar, or Langstroth hives)

Managing colonies (checking brood, honey stores, queen situation)

Controlling pests and diseases (like varroa mites, wax moths, ants)

Harvesting honey and other products

Ensuring bees have access to forage and clean water

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🌱 Benefits of Beekeeping

1. Economic Benefits

Income from honey sales: Honey is always in demand in Kenya and beyond.

Other marketable products:

Beeswax – used for candles, cosmetics, polish

Propolis – medicinal uses

Royal jelly – health supplements

Bee venom – used in apitherapy

Low start-up cost: Compared to dairy or poultry, beekeeping is cheaper.

Requires little space – ideal even for small farms.

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2. Environmental Benefits

Pollination services: Bees improve yields in crops such as fruits, vegetables, coffee, and sunflower.

Biodiversity conservation: Beekeeping encourages planting of trees and flowering plants.

No land degradation: Bees do not need grazing or feed.

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3. Social Benefits

Job creation for youth and women groups.

Source of nutrition: Honey is a natural energy booster with medicinal value.

Educational value: Helps learners understand insects, ecology, and farming systems.

Safe and peaceful activity: Bees do not require daily feeding or watering.

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🐝 Why Beekeeping is Good in Kenya

Favourable climate for bees

Plenty of flowering plants and trees

Low maintenance once hives are established

High market demand for natural honey

08/11/2025

INGO ornamental

01/11/2025

The therapeutic function of a dog on a sick patient refers to the positive physical, emotional, and psychological effects that dogs can have when used as part of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) or companion therapy. Here are the main therapeutic functions explained clearly:

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🧠 1. Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Reduces stress and anxiety: Petting or being around a calm dog helps lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone) and increases serotonin and oxytocin (feel-good hormones).

Improves mood: Dogs bring joy, laughter, and companionship, reducing symptoms of depression or loneliness.

Provides emotional comfort: The unconditional affection from dogs gives patients a sense of security, acceptance, and belonging.

Decreases fear and agitation: Particularly helpful for patients with dementia, trauma, or PTSD.

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❤️ 2. Physical Health Benefits

Lowers blood pressure and heart rate: The calming presence of a dog helps stabilize cardiovascular functions.

Encourages physical activity: Walking, grooming, or playing with a dog promotes movement and rehabilitation for physically ill or recovering patients.

Boosts immune system: Reduced stress and increased happiness can improve overall body immunity.

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🗣️ 3. Social and Cognitive Benefits

Improves communication: Dogs can help withdrawn or nonverbal patients (such as children with autism) open up and express themselves.

Encourages social interaction: Therapy dogs often act as “icebreakers,” making it easier for patients to talk to therapists, nurses, and other patients.

Enhances cognitive function: Patients with mental health issues, dementia, or brain injury may become more alert and responsive when interacting with therapy dogs.

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🌈 4. Motivational and Behavioral Benefits

Increases motivation for recovery: Patients may be more willing to participate in therapy or exercise when a dog is involved.

Improves discipline and responsibility: Caring for or interacting with a dog helps build routine and a sense of purpose.

Encourages positive behavior: Dogs reward calm, gentle behavior, helping in behavior modification therapies.

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💬 Examples of Use

Hospitals and nursing homes: For comfort and mood improvement.

Rehabilitation centers: To motivate physical exercise.

Psychiatric institutions: For emotional support and anxiety reduction.

Homes: As emotional support or service animals for chronic conditions

01/11/2025

November farm life

30/10/2025

Good morning farmers ?
From the bed the first stop should be your farm

29/10/2025

Causes of Mastitis in Dairy Animals 🐄

Mastitis is the inflammation of the udder tissue (mammary gland), usually caused by infection. It reduces milk yield and quality, and can make the cow sick.

Here are the main causes grouped for clarity:

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1. Infectious Causes (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi)

These are the most common.

Bacteria such as:

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus uberis

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Klebsiella spp.

Mycoplasma spp.

Fungi and yeasts (e.g. Candida) — rare, usually after antibiotic misuse.

Viruses (rare) — e.g. bovine herpes mammillitis virus.

These pathogens enter the udder mainly through the teat canal, especially after milking when the sphincter is open.

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2. Management and Environmental Causes

Poor milking hygiene (dirty hands, towels, or milking machines).

Wet, muddy, or dirty housing conditions.

Unclean bedding (manure, urine-soaked material).

Poor milking machine maintenance (high vacuum pressure or worn liners).

Improper milking order (milking infected cows before healthy ones).

Failure to dip teats before and after milking with disinfectant.

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3. Cow-Related Factors

Injuries to the udder or teats (cuts, bruises, bites).

Teat shape — long or pendulous teats are more prone to injury and infection.

Older cows — have looser teat sphincters and more exposure over time.

High milk yield — causes more strain on udder tissue.

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4. Nutritional and Health Factors

Vitamin E and selenium deficiency — reduce udder immunity.

Stress (heat, hunger, transport) — weakens the immune system.

Other diseases — like ketosis or milk fever, can predispose cows to mastitis

27/10/2025

Have you ever wondered why we dock lamb tail?
We dock lambs’ tails (remove part of the tail) mainly for health, hygiene, and management reasons — not just appearance. Here’s a clear explanation 👇

🐑 Main Reasons for Docking Lambs

1. Prevents Flystrike (Myiasis):

Lambs often soil their tails with dung and urine.

Dirty, wet wool attracts flies that lay eggs, and the maggots burrow into the flesh — a painful and sometimes deadly condition called flystrike.

Docking keeps the area cleaner and reduces this risk.

2. Improves Hygiene:

Shorter tails make it easier to keep the rear end clean, especially in wool breeds with long tails and heavy fleeces.

3. Easier Management and Shearing:

It’s easier for farmers to inspect and treat the lamb’s back end for parasites or health issues.

Shearers also find it easier to handle sheep with shorter tails.

4. Prevents Breeding Problems (in Ewes):

Long tails can sometimes interfere with mating and lambing.

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⚠️ Important Welfare Considerations

Timing: Docking should be done when lambs are young (usually within 1–6 weeks of age).

Method: Done humanely — using a rubber ring (elastrator), hot iron, or surgical method — following animal welfare guidelines.

Tail Length: Never dock too short. The tail should still cover the v***a in ewes or similar length in males to protect from sunburn and infection

26/10/2025

Girolando (or Girolanda) Dairy Breed 🐄

The Girolando (sometimes called Girolanda in some regions) is a tropical dairy cattle breed developed in Brazil to combine high milk production from the Holstein and heat and disease tolerance from the Gir (a Zebu breed from India).

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🧬 Origin and Breeding

Crossbreed between Holstein (Bos ta**us) and Gir (Bos indicus).

The name “Girolando” comes from Gir + Holando (Holstein).

Developed in Brazil for tropical climates where pure Holsteins struggle.

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⚖️ Genetic Composition

The most common genetic makeup is:

5/8 Holstein (62.5%)

3/8 Gir (37.5%)

However, variations exist depending on the desired balance between milk yield and adaptability.

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🐄 Physical Characteristics

Color: Black and white, or red and white (like Holsteins), sometimes with Gir-style ears and hump.

Body: Large, strong body; slightly hu**ed shoulders; long legs suited for grazing.

Udder: Well-developed with good teat placement.

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🥛 Production Traits

Average milk yield: 3,000 – 5,000 liters per lactation (some up to 8,000 liters with good feeding).

Milk fat: 4.0–4.8%, higher than Holstein.

Milk protein: Around 3.4–3.6%.

Lactation length: 270–300 days.

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🌴 Adaptability

Tolerates heat, ticks, and tropical diseases better than Holsteins.

Performs well under semi-intensive and extensive systems.

Suitable for pasture-based dairy production in tropical areas like Kenya, Brazil, and parts of Africa.

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🐂 Reproduction and Management

Good fertility and maternal ability.

Easy calving and good mothering instinct.

Performs well under crossbreeding programs with local zebu cattle to improve dairy output.

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✅ Advantages

High milk yield even under tropical conditions.

Resistant to heat and parasites.

Good temperament and adaptability.

Longer productive lifespan compared to pure Holsteins.

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⚠️ Disadvantages

Slightly lower milk yield than pure Holsteins under ideal (cool) conditions.

Requires moderate to good feeding to maintain production.

May show variable conformation due to crossbreeding.