Evaluation of egg production after adoption of biosecurity strategies by backyard poultry farmers in West Bengal

Abstract

Aim:On the basis of identified source of major bacterial infections at four agro-climatic zones in West Bengal the cost-effective biosecurity strategy was formulated for backyard poultry farmers. The aim of the present study was to assess the adoption. So, the study was aimed to detect the adoption level of the formulated biosecurity strategy to mitigate the Salmonella and Escherichia coliweek post-hatch period chicks were contamination level in the sources and its correlation with egg production in West Bengal.Materials and Methods:A questionnaire was prepared querying regarding the biosecurity measures presently followed by the farmers, if any and egg production of their birds. Subsequent to the interview the formulated biosecurity strategy was conveyed. After 3 months, the interview with the same questionnaire was conducted to the same farmers to detect their adoption level.Results:The change in practices were noted in certain parameters which differs significantly (p<0.01 or p<0.05). As a consequence, the average egg production/flock was increased in 3 months after adoption of the strategy (618.2±37.77/flock) in comparison to last 3 months average before adoption of the strategy (495.3±30.00/flock) which also differs significantly (p<0.01).Conclusion:The present study detected the implementation of the biosecurity strategy in backyard poultry farming in West Bengal can substantially benefit the farmers in terms of increased egg production.

Biosecurity Strategies for Backyard Poultry: A Controlled Way for Safe Food Production

“…It is an approach with a focus on maintaining or improving the health status of the birds and preventing the introduction of new pathogens by assessing all the possible risks (Permin and Detmer, 2007). In rural backyard farming specially in developing countries, biosecurity measures are not practiced due to a lack of awareness and high cost of the measures (Samanta et al, 2015c). For example, the cost of a hen house in Cambodia (Southeast Asia) is US$ 25, whereas, the average monthly income of a Cambodian family is US$ 75 (Conan et al, 2013).…”

“…Similarly in India (West Bengal), a low level of biosecurity awareness was observed among the backyard farmers, such as preparation of feed with boiled water (only 3% of the cohort), cleaning of feeding utensils and the drinking trough once in a month (90%), frequency of change of drinking water in the trough in 15 days interval (90%), frequency of change of litter in 15 days (90%), and storage of eggs at room temperature (93%). Majority of the farmers (60%) did not wash their hands before providing feed to the birds and before entry or exit of the poultry houses (Table 14.2) (Samanta et al, 2015c).…”

Current situation assessment of biosecurity measures of some poultry sectors and hatcheries in Egypt

“…Moreover, most of broiler chicken farms were of small scale with low or no biosecurity measures, which increase the likelihood of disease transmission between poultry farms and backyard and increase the risk of human exposure to potential health hazards (Eltholth et al, 2016). In Contrast, Samanta et al (2015) revealed that the implementation of the biosecurity strategy in backyard poultry farming in West Bengal could substantially benefit the farmers in terms of increased egg production. The small commercial producers practiced all the recommended vaccination of their birds (64.3 %) against the preventable diseases of Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Fowl Cholera, HPAI and Fowl pox.…”

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

“…Although improving biosecurity is likely to enhance flock productivity, a significant proportion of poultry keepers continue their “risky” production practices despite receiving advice on risk-reducing measures ( 17 ). Aini ( 18 ) attributed the low adoption of biosecurity measures by backyard farmers to their low cost-effectiveness.…”