Tanzania: Farmers use Aloe Vera to treat chicken diarrhea in Karagwe District

Hello and welcome, dear listeners. In today’s program, we will learn how to diagnose diarrhea in chickens and how farmers in Karagwe District are using Aloe Vera as a natural remedy.

We will hear from Ms. Tumaini Buberwa, a poultry farmer who uses Aloe Vera, and her husband Mr. Buberwa Daudi. We will also speak with Ms. Frola Jastine Maliseli, another farmer, and Mr. Simon Inocent, a livestock specialist from Dodoma Region. He will explain how he guides livestock farmers to discover, verify and use natural medicines to treat chickens with diarrhea.

 

My name is ………………

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Welcome, Ms. Tumaini Buberwa. Thank you for joining us. You are a poultry farmer who uses natural medicine. Please tell us: How has Aloe Vera helped you?

I started with 55 chickens. When diarrhea struck, I bought medicine from agro-vet shops, but it cost 250,000 shillings ($96), which was too expensive. Many chickens died and only four survived. I almost gave up.

 

Later, after advice from our ward veterinarian, I started using Aloe Vera, which grows abundantly in our area. After a few days, my remaining chickens recovered and started laying eggs again. Now, I have 96 chickens.

 

Thank you for sharing these insights, Ms. Buberwa. What symptoms did you notice in your chickens?

The droppings were soft, watery, and sometimes mixed with blood or mucus. The chickens were weak, they ate less, and some drank more water than usual. In addition, their sunken eyes, they lost weight, and egg production dropped from 20 eggs a day to just two eggs—or none at all.

After noticing these symptoms, what steps did you take?

At first, I did not know what it was. However, after consulting other farmers and our veterinarian, I was advised to use Aloe Vera. I mixed the juice in their drinking water, and sometimes gave it undiluted. Within a few days, the chickens improved.

Now, how do you prepare Aloe Vera medicine?

I select healthy, ripe Aloe Vera leaves; I wash them well, cut them into pieces, and squeeze out the juice. Before using it, I consult a veterinarian for advice on dosage, depending on the age of the chickens.

: And what benefits have you seen for your family and community?

Today I have 96 chickens worth about 1.1 million shillings ($440). They lay about 55 eggs per day, worth 48,000 shillings ($18). This money pays school fees for my four children and covers household needs.

My family eats eggs and chicken meat for better nutrition. Neighbours have also learned from me and are now using Aloe Vera to cut costs. I am proud to be a community health worker promoting nutrition and affordable poultry farming.

Can you tell us where you get Aloe Vera?

I planted a special garden on my banana farm. I also encourage other farmers to grow their own medicinal gardens. That way, the medicine is always available when needed.

What advice do you have for other poultry farmers? And is there something you would say you’re proud of?

 

 

It is always important to consult a veterinarian before using natural medicines. Keeping the chicken house clean at all times and providing a balanced diet are essential for the health of the chickens. Natural remedies can be used, but they must be applied correctly and with care.

Things I can say I’m proud of: First, I am proud of the increase to 96 chickens worth an average of 1,152,000 Tanzanian shillings ($443.08). These chickens are capable of lying at least 55 eggs worth 48,000 shillings ($18.46) per day. This money helps me with my family’s needs and I am already paying for my four children’s school fees and other basic needs in secondary school. My family is also assured of getting good nutrition of eggs and chicken meat as a stew when we need to do so. This also helps us reduce the cost of buying chicken meat and eggs in the market.

Secondly, my neighbors have learned from me this natural veterinary medicine and are using Aloe Vera to reduce the production costs of their projects. Instead of spending a lot of money on buying medicines at stores, Aloe Vera has helped them not only for diarrhea cases but also the incidence of chicken pox has decreased significantly in the village.

 

I am also a community health worker. I have been a good role model and have used the opportunity to advise the people I lead on the importance of using eggs to improve the health status of children and their families in general to reduce the problem of malnutrition, and they have been using low-cost eggs to get them close to my home.

: Thank you, Mrs. Buberwa, for your explanation, especially for emphasizing the use of medicine in collaboration with an expert.

 

Now let’s hear from Ms. Frola Jastine Maliseli, another poultry farmer. Ms. Maliseli, thank you for accepting our invitation. Can you please explain to us how Aloe Vera has helped you?

 

Thank you for the question. I remember I once had 32 chickens and lost more than 20 to diarrhea. After learning from my friend Tumaini, I used Aloe Vera and saved the rest. Now I have 52 chickens laying about 28 eggs daily. This has also reduced my farming costs.

 

What other benefits would you say Aloe Vera brings?

 

: I can say that by planting medicinal gardens, we also protect the environment and conserve medicinal plants. Aloe Vera is safer for people and animals compared to chemical medicines.

 

: That’s a really good point. What challenges do farmers face in using natural medicines?

 

The biggest challenges are environmental degradation, deforestation, and low recognition of traditional medicines. I think more support is needed to improve and promote these remedies, so more people can know them, and use them.

 

Thank you, Ms. Maliseli. Now, let’s hear from Mr. Daudi Buberwa, husband of Ms. Tumaini on his experiences with Aloe Vera. Mr. Buberwa Daudi, how would you say this project has helped your family?

 

: The project has increased our household income. Thanks to it, my wife sells eggs to cover family needs and school fees. I also support her by helping with cleaning, preparing medicine, and finding customers.

 

I am happy that you mentioned this. What is your view on men who do not support their wives in such projects?

 

: They are wrong. Both men and women’s contributions are important. My wife’s work is valuable, and it helps the whole family.

 

Thank you, Mr. Daudi Buberwa. Finally, let’s hear from Mr. Simon Innocent, a livestock specialist in the Mpwapwa District Council in Dodoma Region. Mr. Innocent, why should farmers consider natural remedies, including Aloe Vera when managing chicken diarrhea?

 

Thank you for the question!

 

Our government has contributed significantly to conduct research related to natural remedy and alternative medicine. This is due to the importance of using these medicines not only for animals but also for human use.

 

It has already been proven that there is a possibility of medicinal plants for animal health to be very effective for livestock health management.

 

The major benefits of using natural medicines include being environmentally friendly and easy to access by a large community especially in rural areas. Besides being cheaper than conventional medicine, natural medicine is deeply rooted in Tanzanian culture.

 

Natural medicines for treating livestock have the potential to reduce antibiotic resistance. But also, their side effects are few.

 

In addition, it is very important to use natural medicines for livestock to be used under the advice of a veterinary expert.

 

As for Aloe Vera, it is cheap, available, and part of our traditions in treatment. It strengthens chickens’ immunity, improves digestion, reduces inflammation, and even helps heal wounds. But farmers should always consult a veterinarian for the correct dosage.

 

Really good advice! And what should be the exact dosage when it comes to the use of Aloe Vera?

 

The dosage depends on the age of the chicken being treated but here are some ways to use Aloe Vera:

 

Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice in a liter of water and then give the chickens’ water to drink.

 

You can mix Aloe Vera juice in their food or drinking water.

 

Start with a small dose and then increase the dose according to the instructions of the Veterinarian. It is good to regularly monitor the health of the chicken to make adjustments to the appropriate dose of the medicine.

 

Along with Aloe Vera treatment for chickens with diarrhea, it is important to have proper care of the chicken and also address the source of the chicken diarrhea disease as these things go hand in hand.

 

Thank you for sharing this useful information.

 

I thank all our guests and listeners for this good discussion on the use of natural remedies to treat poultry. We were pleased to hear from Ms. Tumaini Buberwa, her husband Mr. Buberwa Daud, and Ms. Flora Jastine Maliseli who are poultry farmers using natural medicines. Our veterinary expert is Mr. Simon Innocent from Mpwapwa District Council in Dodoma Region who also emphasized the importance of the use of natural medicines to treat poultry and protect the environment but he also emphasized that the use of such medicines should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian.

 

Listeners, we have learned that Aloe Vera can help control chicken diarrhea, save money, and protect the environment. It is important that we continue to promote the use of natural resources that enable a good and sustainable society. But remember: it is advised to always consult a veterinary expert before using natural medicine.

 

Stay tuned for our next programs and thank you again for your support!

 

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