Bio-security measures employed by poultry farmers in Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

This study ascertained biosecurity measures used by poultry farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 poultry farmers. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse data and present results for the study. The mean age of respondents was 47 years while farming experience was 9.6 years. Almost all (97.5%) the respondents had one form of formal education. The majority of the farmers sourced biosecurity information from co-poultry farmers (87.7%) and veterinary officers (81.4%). Major bio-security measures used by farmers include: inspection of flock daily to pick mortalities (x̄ =3.7), isolation and quarantine of sick birds (x̄ =3.7), vaccination of birds (x̄ =3.6), as well as adequate cleaning of feeding and drinking troughs (x̄ =3.6). The standardized coefficients for age (0.327), farming experience (0.278) and farm income (0.409) had a positive influence (*P≤0.05) on use of biosecurity measures. Use of battery cage system (p=0.013) and use of  deep litter combined with battery cage systems (p=0.001) had a negative influence on the use of biosecurity practices. Extension workers should educate farmers on the importance and use of biosecurity measures for optimum production.

Keywords: Vaccination, Quarantine practices, Veterinary officers, Bio-Security, Poultry Farmers