The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in livestock production is of increasing concern due to the threat of antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals. Much emphasis has been placed on intensively managed poultry production systems, which routinely use antimicrobials as against smallholder poultry production systems (SPPS). Therefore, this study investigated the use of antimicrobials among smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria, and compared the prevalence of antimicrobial drug use against the practice of ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM). A cross-sectional study was conducted in five states (agroecologies) of Nigeria using structured questionnaires administered on a total of 350 farmers. The practice of EVM was prevalent among most of the farmers (39%). The western method (pharmaceuticals) was practiced by a large proportion of farmers (60%), either solely (25%) or in combination with EVM (35%). Antimicrobials were used primarily for treatment and prevention of diseases (78%). Semi-scavenging system of production had the highest proportion (49%) of farmers using antimicrobials, compared to semi-intensive (37%) and scavenging (14%) systems. Gender (χ2 = 9.30, p  = 0.01), and location (χ2 = 216.86, p  ≤ 0.001), influenced farmers’ choice of methods for bird treatment. Education (odds ratio [OR] odds ratio [OR] 3.06, 95% CI 2.10–4.44), income (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.10–3.59) and management system (OR 1.97, CI% 1.1–3.45) were most associated with antimicrobial use. Critically important antibiotics, with lower to higher risk of antimicrobial resistance, were used by farmers (40%). These findings showed the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials by farmers and the potential risk of antimicrobial resistance within the SPPS in Nigeria.

The performance of six dual-purpose, smallholder-focused chicken breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso and Shikabrown®) was evaluated under intensive management at two locations in Nigeria. Data on live performance, morphology, physiology and carcass characteristics were collected. Adaptability characteristics were higher in Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha and ShikaBrown breeds. Kuroiler, Sasso and FUNAAB Alpha had higher (p<0.05) morphometric indices. Carcass characteristics were higher (p<0.05) for Kuroiler, FUNAAB Alpha, Noiler and Sasso breeds. Noiler and Sasso had the highest dressing percentage (69.2%) and muscle to bone ratio (2.8), respectively. The physiological characteristics of the breeds fell within the normal range for chickens. The six breeds were well adapted to the hot humid environment of Nigeria.     La performance de six races de poulets à double usage et axées sur les petits exploitants (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso et Shikabrown®) a été évaluée sous gestion intensive à deux endroits au Nigéria. Des données sur les performances en direct, la morphologie, la physiologie et les caractéristiques de la carcasse ont été recueillies. Les caractéristiques d'adaptabilité étaient plus élevées chez les races peuls, FUNAAB Alpha et ShikaBrown. Kuroiler, Sasso et FUNAAB Alpha avaient des indices morphométriques plus élevés (p<0.05). Les caractéristiques de la carcasse étaient plus élevées (p<0.05) pour les races Kuroiler, FUNAAB Alpha, Noiler et Sasso. Noiler et Sasso avaient le pourcentage d'habillage le plus élevé (69.2 %) et le rapport muscle/os (2.8), respectivement. Les caractéristiques physiologiques des races se sont tombées dans la fourchette normale pour les poulets. Les six races étaient bien adaptées à l'environnement chaud et humide du Nigeria.

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