Laying hens farming business is a business that has great potential and high profits. This is because the demand for eggs every day tends to be stable and even increase. However, please note that the production of laying hens may decrease. One of the causes is the onset of Egg Drop Syndrome in chickens.
What is Egg Drop Syndrome? What’s the cause? How is it transmitted?
Relax, all of the above questions will be answered in this article. This week we’re going to talk about Egg Drop Syndrome. Starting from understanding, causes, ways of transmission, characteristics, to how to prevent Egg Drop Syndrome disease.
You’re so curious, right? Here’s the full explanation!
Causes of Egg Drop Syndrome
Egg Drop Syndrome or better known as EDS is a poultry disease characterized by a decrease in egg production of up to 40%. In addition to decreased egg production, this disease also results in decreased egg quality, namely uneven egg shape, thin egg shells, flabby egg shells or do not form shells.
Eds disease was first discovered by Van Eck in the Netherlands in 1976 as a cause of decreased egg production. Since then, there have been numerous reports of declining egg production and quality around the world, peaking in the 1980s and 1990s. In Indonesia itself, this disease is strategically an infectious disease that must be eradicated.
Causes and ways of transmission
Egg Drop Syndrome is caused by an adenovirus, a member of the genus Atad-enovirus and the family Adenoviridae. It is also known as adenovirus 1 (DAdV-1), egg drop syndrome, EDS 76, and adenovirus 127.
The disease can be transmitted both vertically and horizontally. Vertical transmission: the disease is transmitted from a parent infected with EDS, resulting in eggs carrying the virus, while the infected hen looks healthy. This should alert the breeder, because during the growth of DOC eds virus remains in his body and as if asleep. By the time the chicken begins to produce eggs, the virus begins to be active and multiply and then the disease spreads to other chickens in one cage.
While the transmission is horizontal, that is, it can be spread through tracheal secretions. Transmission can occur due to contamination through food, drinks and semen. In addition, the spread of the agent of this disease can occur from one farm to another. Transmission can come from sick chickens and healthy chickens become carriers. The transmission can be through feathers or wings, vomit, feces or feces, dust, equipment and facilities, cage floors, egg places, and carcasses that are carelessly discarded.
Symptoms of Egg Drop Syndrome
The disease often occurs in laying hens aged 25 – 26 weeks. However, in general, the characteristics of EDS disease appear to be seen in chickens aged 25-35 weeks. Here are the characteristics of chickens affected by EDS :
- Egg production and quality are declining.
- Chickens look more lethargic.
- Decreased appetite.
- Combs and wattles are pale.
- Sometimes accompanied by mild diarrhea.
- Loss of eggshell color.
- Eggshells are thin, soft, and even without eggshells.
- The size of the egg shrinks or shrinks.
Ways Of Prevention
EDS disease can be prevented through the following ways :
1. Carrying Out Vaccinations
Vaccination is one of the prevention efforts against virus attacks. Vaccination can be carried out in chickens that are ahead of production, that is, 3 – 4 weeks before laying eggs. The form of EDS vaccine available is the inactivated form. Inactivated vaccines are vaccines that contain infectious agents that have been killed, but are still able to stimulate antibody formation, so the formation of protective antibody titers will take a long time. Therefore, cases of EDS are relatively rare emergency vaccination (vaccination when chickens are already infected).
2. Administration of vitamins and antibiotics
The next way to prevent EDS disease is the administration of vitamins and antibiotics. Vitamin administration can be done by mixing it into rations or livestock drinking water. The purpose of adding vitamins is to maintain the immunity or immunity of livestock, so that the EDS virus does not easily enter the body of livestock. If a bacterial secondary infection is found, it is necessary to administer antibiotics. In addition, the content of nutrients in the feed must be in accordance with the needs of the livestock.
3. Doing Biosecurity
Biosecurity is all measures aimed at being the first line of defense in controlling outbreaks and preventing all possible contagions in order to minimize the spread of infectious agents. Application of biosecurity in laying hens include :
- The control of the movement of poultry, humans, equipment, and means of transportation both vehicles between and into the area of the farm.
- Separating chickens from other poultry species and non-poultry bird species including wild birds, rodents and other animals and insects that can transmit disease.
- Minimize aerosol spread through geographic isolation.
- Perform hygiene practices and implement correct disinfection procedures to lower infection rates.
- Provide appropriate treatment.
In this article, we’ve covered everything about Egg Drop Syndrome. Starting from the understanding of Egg Drop Syndrome disease, causes, ways of transmission, characteristics, to how to prevent it. The point is that Egg Drop Syndrome is a disease in laying hens that should alert farmers.
Thus this article, may be useful and add to your insight. Keep an eye on the ganeeta Formula Nusantara blog so you don’t miss other interesting and educational articles about poultry farming. See you next time!