Evaluation of factors associated with biosecurity, antimicrobial use and mortality in broiler farms in Northern Kerala

Abstract

A survey was conducted (March 2020 to October 2020) on biosecurity practices, disease occurrence and antimicrobial usage of 77 broiler farms from five districts of Northern Kerala. Data were collected through a questionnaire and field-level disease diagnostic tests were conducted. Biosecurity status varied from farm to farm with 97.4 per cent promoted vaccination and 61.04 per cent disposed carcasses by burning. However, limitations were observed in the use of a footbath, quarantine of new stock, isolation of diseased birds and quality of water. The five most common diseases recorded were Chronic respiratory disease (48.1%), Acute Death Syndrome (27.3%), Colibacillosis (23.4%), Pullorum (18.2%) and Coccidiosis (18.2%). The commonly used antibiotics in poultry farms were Enrofloxacin (35.1%), Cephalexin (14.3%), Tylosin (11.7%) and Levofloxacin (10.4%). Some of the farmers (14.3%) were unaware of the antibiotics used in their farms, a potent risk factor for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. About 19.49 per cent of farms restricted antibiotic use and 44.15 per cent of farms supported herbal traditional medicines as an alternative to antimicrobials.