Abstract

Biosecurity is an integral part of any successful poultry production system. This study was conducted to assess the biosecurity practices in commercial poultry farms in four selected local government areas of Benue state, Nigeria. Twelve poultry farms were selected and assessed. The biosecurity practices in the poultry farms were assessed using a biosecurity checklist and structured questionnaires administered to commercial poultry farmers. Simple descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were used to summarize and present results. The results revealed that 83.3% (10/12) of the farms kept birds on deep litter, 16.7% (2/12) kept birds on both deep litter and in cages. Higher proportion 66.7% (8/12) of farmers operated backyard poultry farms. Results showed that 25% (3/12) of the farms also had free range poultry within poultry house premises and none (0/11) kept birds of different ages within the same pen but 41.7 % (5/12) of the farms had several flocks of different ages on the same farm. Only 50% (6/12) of the farms had foot dips in front of each pen. Some farms 41.7% (5/12) had abandoned materials near poultry houses while 33.3% (4/12) had dense vegetation around their poultry farms. About 50% (6/12) of farms reported that rodents/wild birds had access to feed stores. The main source of drinking water for the birds in most of the farms was well water (66.7%) and 36.4 % (4/11) have a dam or pond within farm premises. In most of the farms, workers had no specific clothes 75% (9/12) and foot wear (91.7%) for farm operations. The study revealed that poor management had the highest biosecurity risk score (60.4%) in the commercial poultry farms studied in Benue state. There is need for qualified professionals to train poultry farmers, managers and attendants on proper biosecurity practices.

Keywords: Biosecurity, Benue state, commercial poultry farms, Newcastle disease