Biosecurity in Village and Other Free-Range Poultry—Trying to Square the Circle?

Abstract

Village poultry commonly suffer significant disease related losses and a plethora of biosecurity measures is widely advocated as a means to reduce morbidity and mortality. This paper uses a household economy perspective to assess some “economic” considerations determining biosecurity investments of village poultry keepers. It draws on the 2012/13 Tanzania National Panel Survey (TZ-NPS), which covered 1,228 poultry-keeping households. Disease was the most frequently reported cause of bird losses and, in the majority of households, accounted for more than half of reported bird losses. However, given that poultry rarely contributed more than 10% to total annual household income, for 95% of households the value of birds lost to disease represented <10% of annual income. The value placed on poultry within households may vary by gender and the overall figure may mask differential intra-household impacts. The break-even cost for various levels of reduction of disease losses is estimated using a partial budget analysis. Even if achieved at no cost, a 75% reduction in disease-associated mortality would only result in a one percent increase of annual household income. Thus, to the “average” village poultry-keeping household, investments in poultry may not be of high priority, even when cost-effective. Where risks of disease spread impact on the wider community and generate significant externalities, poultry keepers must be supported by wider societal actions rather than being expected to invest in biosecurity for purely personal gain.

Interventions to Reduce Risk for Pathogen Spillover and Early Disease Spread to Prevent Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics

“…Improving biosecurity in animal husbandry requires management measures, such as quarantining new animals and vaccinating animals against endemic disease, and physical measures, such as enclosures that separate farm animals from each other and from wildlife ( 37 ). However, backyard flocks and large-scale commercial industrial systems face challenges in implementing biosecurity ( 38 ).…”

“…However, backyard flocks and large-scale commercial industrial systems face challenges in implementing biosecurity ( 38 ). Standard biosecurity recommendations are rarely tailored for extensive production systems in resource-limited settings, and translating recommendations into local languages requires time and knowledge of local perceptions of disease ( 37 , 38 ). Commercial industrial systems require major investments in biosecurity measures to counteract zoonotic disease transmission risks posed by raising a high density of genetically homogeneous, single-age animals, especially when animal welfare is suboptimal ( 39 ).…”

Assessing a pilot co-operative-based workshop-subsidy model toward improving small-scale chicken production in peri-urban Nepal

“…Modes of disease transmission within and between villages including fecal-oral, respiratory, and contact with wild birds are likely exacerbated by this lack of biosecurity associated with village poultry production ( Awan et al, 1994 ). Consequently, the utilization of coops could play an important role in both biosecurity and production efficiency which has been shown to have a positive economic impact ( Otte et al, 2021 ). However, as soon as chickens are confined the ability to provide feed (as chickens are not able to scavenge) becomes relevant and is not common ( Otte et al, 2021 ) Interestingly, the ultimate value of a coop-based system in the village poultry environment has not been studied with respect to biosecurity, production, and economics likely due to the reality that most village poultry are historically free-ranging/scavenging ( Alders and Pym, 2009 ).…”

“…Consequently, the utilization of coops could play an important role in both biosecurity and production efficiency which has been shown to have a positive economic impact ( Otte et al, 2021 ). However, as soon as chickens are confined the ability to provide feed (as chickens are not able to scavenge) becomes relevant and is not common ( Otte et al, 2021 ) Interestingly, the ultimate value of a coop-based system in the village poultry environment has not been studied with respect to biosecurity, production, and economics likely due to the reality that most village poultry are historically free-ranging/scavenging ( Alders and Pym, 2009 ). One well-described example that utilizes coops is the Helen Keller International model that utilized a similar approach with respect to training and inputs with a limited (15%) uptake of “best practices.” ( Nordhagen and Klemm, 2018 ).…”

Informal Institutional Barriers to Access and Utilisation of Newcastle Disease Vaccines among Women Smallholder Chicken Farmers in Makueni, Kenya

“…However, it is important to also take notice of such perceptions because they would hold especially because of biosecurity measures. Otte et al (40) indicate that moving from one chicken house to another without due consideration of the biosecurity measures can transmit disease from one farm to another.…”