Abstract
Sanitary constraints of raising turkey in north-west Benin were studied by using a survey and Haemagglutination Inhibition Test (HIT) to detect antibodies of Newcastle Disease (ND) and Avian Influenza (AI). We tested 85 serums from 7- to 24-month-old turkeys raised in 19 farms. ND prevalence rate was 54% but reactions on four sub-types of AI were negative. Mortality rates varied from 55 to 100% for 0–30 day-old flocks; 30% for 1- to 4-month-old; and 15% for older turkeys. Next to ND, probable causes of mortality are Fowl pox, Gumboro disease, scabies, coccidiosis, histomonosis, capillariosis and colibacillosis. Only one farmer who fed and vaccinated the poults, and provided clean housing for them got a lower mortality rate of 11% in turkeys less than 4-month-old. The question remains why most farmers do not apply these simple practices: are they unaware or are the technologies not profitable?
Highlights
Poultry keeping is a widespread traditional activity in Africa
Poultry plays a role in many traditional ceremonies and festivals, and scavenging poultry reduces the population of vermin [2]
Serum antibodies against the avian influenza virus (AI) were detected in chicken even in the absence of any vaccination [9]
Summary
Poultry keeping is a widespread traditional activity in Africa. It provides protein supplement for households and gives them a stock for urgent needs [1]. Increasing productivity of poultry husbandry may help reduce poverty and improve household’s food safety [3, 4]. A participatory diagnosis carried out with the breeders in the commune of Ouakeidentified mortality as the major limiting factor in turkey husbandry. In several African countries, the village poultry production level is suboptimal mainly due to predation and contagious diseases [5]. ND was recognized as the major constraint generating 70% of officially recorded poultry mortalities [6]. Serum antibodies against the avian influenza virus (AI) were detected in chicken even in the absence of any vaccination [9]
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