Research Article

Appraisal of Chicken Production with Associated Biosecurity Practices in Commercial Poultry Farms Located in Jos, Nigeria

Table 2

Frequency of biosecurity events on poultry farms in Jos, Nigeria.

Indicators of biosecurity eventsNumber (%) of responsesNumber (%) of farms with “yes” response

Events outside the premises
 Awareness of biosecurity practices79 (98.8)67 (84.8)
 Density of (>5) farmers in neighbourhood 79 (98.8)21 (26.6)
 Water bodies for migratory birds in neighbourhood79 (98.8)16 (20.2)
 Certified sources of quality chicks76 (95.0)52 (68.4)
 Parking lot outside the farm premises77 (96.3)42 (54.5)
 Acquisition of second-hand equipment79 (98.8)5 (6.3)
Farm boundary events
 Fencing with gates 78 (97.5)66 (84.6)
 Washing/disinfection of vehicles76 (95.0)17 (22.3)
 Functional footbath at entry point78 (97.5)44 (56.4)
 Visitors allowed into premises78 (97.5)37 (47.4)
Events between farm boundary and poultry house
 Presence of good feed storage facility79 (98.8)75 (94.9)
 Appropriate carcass disposal80 (100.0)78 (97.5)
 On-farm necropsy79 (98.8)25 (31.6)
 Certified commercial feed sources only80 (100.0)68 (85.0)
 On-farm carnivores (dogs and cats)79 (98.8)7 (8.9)
 Hand washing/shower before and after handling birds79 (98.8)65 (82.3)
 Rodent-proof78 (97.5)74 (94.9)
 Residence of farm workers within premises79 (98.8)39 (49.4)
 Functional footbath at entrance of poultry house77 (96.3)56 (72.7)
Events inside poultry house
 Separation of poultry types80 (100.0)78 (97.5)
 Separation of birds according to age80 (100.0)79 (98.8)
 Proper ventilation80 (100.0)79 (98.8)
 Availability of clean water77 (96.3)76 (98.7)
 Appropriate bedding material 69 (86.3)66 (95.7)
 Dry bedding 65 (81.3)64 (98.5)
 Frequent changing of bedding66 (82.5)59 (89.4)
 Birds occasionally allowed to move out of the poultry house78 (97.5)3 (3.8)
 Washing/disinfecting poultry house prior to restocking78 (97.5)76 (97.4)
 Practice of all-in all-out management system77 (96.3)69 (89.6)
 Washing feeders/drinkers regularly78 (97.5)77 (98.7)
 Disinfecting feeders/drinkers regularly75 (93.8)48 (64.0)
 Isolation of apparently sick birds76 (95.0)74 (97.4)
 Prophylactic chemotherapy to apparently healthy birds77 (96.3)57 (74.0)
 Consultation of veterinarians only in the event of problems78 (97.5)60 (76.9)

Functional footbath comprises (a) presence of the footbath and (b) frequent (daily or once every two days) replenishment of the same.