Importance of Poultry biosecurity measures

Eggs and meat are becoming a basic need in developing countries, so it will soar the poultry industry. Huge Losses are incurred to this sector due Disease Incidence which accelerates with catastrophic growth in some times of the Season. Newcastle disease and Avian influenza are trending nowadays because despite having modern medical science, these diseases keep on creating problem in commercial poultry business which is mainly due to variants of the virus. Biosecurity practices and sound management are keys to controlling diseases in poultry farming. Widohari, I. R (2015) stated that the biosecurity is one of practices guarantees healthy reduce and welfare animals according to OIE.

Basic Principles

• Bio-exclusion: The process of preventing the entrance of a disease pathogen onto a farm.
• Bio-confinement: The process of stopping a disease pathogen from spreading throughout a farm.

Importance of Biosecurity Measures:

• The main objective of biosecurity is to keep disease risk at the farm as low as possible. This reduces stress on the animals’ immune systems, lowering the risk of disease outbreaks.
• Prevent Highly Contagious Diseases: Implement measures to prevent entry of diseases like IBO (Infectious Bursal Disease) and ND (Newcastle Disease) into the farm, minimizing the risk of outbreaks.
• Reduce Common Pathogens: Implement practices to decrease the prevalence of common pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella within the poultry environment.
• Eliminate Immunosuppressive Agents: Control or eliminate immunosuppressive diseases like Marek’s disease to reduce the vulnerability of birds to other pathogens, including those of public health concern like Salmonella.
• Components of Biosecurity: Biosecurity measures are structured in a hierarchical manner with three levels, each influencing the overall cost and effectiveness of the program. These levels typically include physical barriers, operational protocols, and management practices aimed at safeguarding poultry health and productivity.

Major Measures

• Visitor Restrictions: Restrict access for outside visitors and personnel to minimize the introduction of pathogens.
• Water Testing: Regularly test water sources for mineral content, bacterial contamination, chemical pollutants, and pathogens to ensure they meet safety standards for poultry consumption.
• Sanitization: Implement a systematic disinfection protocol using appropriate disinfectant sprays, ensuring vehicles are sanitized to prevent the spread of diseases.
• Feed Storage: Allocate a designated area for storing bagged feed to prevent contamination and maintain feed quality.
• Road Maintenance: Regularly maintain farm roads to facilitate cleaning and prevent the spread of microbes by vehicles and footwear.
• Dead Bird Disposal: Establish proper procedures for the disposal of dead birds to prevent disease transmission within the farm.
• Wild Bird Proofing: Construct safe housing that effectively prevents access by wild birds, minimizing the risk of disease introduction.
• Separation of Areas: Store feed, litter, and equipment in separate areas from live bird zones to prevent cross-contamination and maintain biosecurity standards.

General Measures

Isolation and Quarantine of Birds

• Separate Poultry Farms: Isolate poultry farms from others to minimize the risk of infection transmission between different farms.
• Quarantine New Birds: Place new birds in a separate enclosure for quarantine to detect any infectious agents before they are introduced to the main flock, ensuring the health of the existing birds.
• Observation Period: Keep new birds isolated from the old stock for at least 21 days. During this period, observe them for any signs of illness to prevent potential disease outbreaks.
• Fencing: Install fencing around the farm to secure the area and create a barrier against unauthorized entry and wildlife.
• Limit Human Entry: Restrict unnecessary human access to the farm to reduce the risk of disease introduction through contaminated clothing or equipment.
• Exclude Predators: Implement measures to prevent natural predators, such as wild birds and animals, from entering the farm and potentially spreading diseases.

Construction of shed and location

• Farm Location: Position the farm away from other animal production systems, particularly pig farms, to minimize cross-contamination risks. Ideally, it should be at least 1-2 km from other commercial facilities to ensure biosecurity.
• Poultry House Construction: Design and build poultry house to be secure against rodents and wild birds, preventing potential disease vectors from entering.
• Foot Bath Installation: Install foot baths at the entry points of each poultry house to disinfect footwear and reduce the risk of pathogen introduction.
• Drainage System: Implement a proper drainage system to manage waste and prevent waterlogging, reducing the risk of disease spread.
• Shed Spacing: Maintain a minimum distance of 30 feet between different sheds of the same type to prevent cross-contamination and ensure better disease control.

Sanitation and Cleaning

• Regular Cleaning and Disinfection: Consistently cleaning and disinfecting is crucial for maintaining farm hygiene and preventing pathogen transmission.
• Foot Baths with Disinfectants: Provide foot baths containing disinfectants to sanitize footwear that may carry pathogens into sheds. A recommended mixture includes 50% lime powder and Stys Bleaching powder.
• Common Disinfectants: Typically used disinfectants in foot and tire baths are Potassium permanganate solution and calcium oxide (lime) powder.
• Sanitation for New Bird Introductions: Ensure thorough sanitation before introducing new chicks or batches of birds into sheds to prevent disease outbreaks.
• Cleaning of Feeding and Drinking Equipment: Daily cleaning of feeding pans and drinking equipment in shed areas is essential to uphold hygiene standards and bird health.
• Approved Disinfectants:

Environmental hygiene

• Timely Removal of Deceased Birds: It’s crucial to remove dead birds promptly from the farm to prevent them from becoming a source of infection for other birds in close proximity.
• Effective Disposal Methods: Rendering, burial, or incineration are the preferred methods for disposing of deceased birds, ensuring proper containment of potential pathogens.
• Litter Management: Maintaining litter in a dry condition (around 20%-30% moisture content) and ensuring good ventilation in the poultry house helps regulate microbial growth.

Conclusion

• Pathogen introduction causes significant economic losses in poultry farms, highlighting the need for stringent biosecurity measures.
• Strict biosecurity protocols are essential to prevent pathogen entry and mitigate disease outbreaks in poultry.
• Comprehensive biosecurity across all farming stages is critical for maintaining optimal production performance and bird health.
• Effective implementation of biosecurity measures is integral to sustainable poultry industry management.
• Investing in biosecurity ensures long-term profitability and health resilience in poultry farming operations.

References

Smith, J. D., & Williams, R. T. (2020). Poultry farming in developing countries: Trends and challenges. Journal of Agricultural Studies, 12(3), 45-59.

Johnson, L. M., & Thompson, K. P. (2018). Impact of disease incidence on the poultry industry. Poultry Science Review, 25(2), 134-150.

Doe, A. N., & Green, H. R. (2019). Biosecurity practices in commercial poultry farming. Veterinary Health Journal, 8(4), 212-225.

Brown, S. A., & White, P. J. (2017). Controlling Newcastle disease and Avian influenza in poultry. Animal Health Today, 14(1), 78-93.

Widohari, I. R. (2015). Biosecurity is one of the practices that guarantees healthy and welfare animals according to OIE.