Disease Prevention & Newcastle Disease — Novafeed technical guides

Novafeed technical guide · Last reviewed 29 September 2026 · All guides

Newcastle Disease — Know the Threat

Newcastle Disease (NCD) can wipe out your flock with little or no warning. It is endemic in Zimbabwe and poses a constant threat to unvaccinated birds.

Symptoms to Watch For

Sudden increase in mortality
Respiratory signs: coughing, sneezing, gasping
Nervous signs: twisted neck (torticollis), paralysis
Drop in egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
Greenish diarrhoea

Prevention is Everything

Vaccinate on schedule — your vet or Novafeed team can advise the right programme
Maintain strict biosecurity: footbaths, visitor restrictions, vehicle disinfection
Use Maxi range disinfectants (Ultrasept, Maxi Virus Killer) between flocks
Quarantine new birds for 2 weeks before introducing to existing flock
Remove dead birds immediately and dispose of safely

Tip: Novafeed day-old chicks come vaccinated. Always confirm vaccination history when buying birds from any source. A cheap unvaccinated chick can cost you the entire flock.