With poultry keepers having to follow avian influenza lockdown rules until 31 March, Krka has launched a preventative health awareness campaign for keepers of domestic poultry.
Incidence of worms and other parasites can increase when poultry are confined, especially during warm weather. The resources Krka has created can be used by veterinary teams to educate domestic poultry keepers and smallholders as to the elevated risk and the vital importance of a strict preventative health regime both during the remainder of the lockdown and once their flocks can be brought outside.
Authored by avian vet Will Ingham, they include:
- Factsheets on worming and general preventative health
- An article on keeping domestic chickens safe in the Spring
- Promotional banners for practice websites, e-newsletters and social media
During 2020, Krka introduced its water-based worming treatment, Flimabend, in a new 20g pack size specifically to suit the needs of domestic poultry owners. Well-established as a worming solution for commercial flocks, the Flimabend suspension, containing proven active ingredient Flubendazole, is diluted into water and replaces the flock’s drinking water for a set period during the day.
Commenting on Krka’s campaign, Charlotte Read, Key Account Manager – Farm, said: “During the COVID-19 lockdown, more people have started keeping backyard poultry but, because they are required to keep them housed because of the avian flu lockdown, there could well be an increased parasitic risk to these birds if their new owners lack sufficient knowledge about preventative health.
“While the lockdown is set to be eased shortly, the threat from avian flu has not gone away and it could be re-imposed. The arrival of warmer weather could also exacerbate parasite and worm problems in flocks if their preventative health has not been well managed during their confinement.”
She added: “With domestic poultry keeping on the increase in the UK, we hope the educational resources we have created, with the help of avian expert Will Ingham, will help veterinary teams to convince owners of domestic poultry of the importance of complying to a preventive health regime and to encourage them to consult their vet for advice to maintain the health of their flock.”
Flimabend is effective against the three key intestinal worms affecting chickens – Ascaridia (roundworm); Capillaria
(hairworm) and Heterakis gallinarum, which can be a vector for Blackhead disease. No egg withdrawal period is required.
To increase compliance among smallholders and owners of backyard flocks, the new 20g pack includes a post-prescription leaflet to help vets support clients in calculating the correct dose, based on the bodyweight of their flock. It also includes a measuring scoop to ensure accurate administration.
The Krka team offers virtual “lunch and learns” on the worming of domestic chickens. Please contact your Krka Account Manager for more details.
Krka UK Ltd is the UK’s fastest growing animal health company (Kynetec Data, November 2020) and is a subsidiary of Slovenia-based Krka, d. d. Novo Mesto. The company offers a range of high-quality generic pharmaceuticals and aims to offer its customers exceptional value, service and technical support.
