Poultry Owners Research Articles

Widespread prevalence of plasmid-mediated blaCTX-M type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli in backyard broiler production systems in the United States.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an emerging pathogen of high concern given its resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Broiler chicken, which is the number one consumed meat in the United States and worldwide, can be a reservoir of ESBL E. coli. Backyard poultry ownership is on the rise in the United States, yet there is little research investigating prevalence of ESBL E. coli in this setting. This study aims to identify the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles (phenotypically and genotypically) of ESBL E. coli in some backyard and commercial broiler farms in the U.S. For this study ten backyard and ten commercial farms were visited at three time-points across flock production. Fecal (n = 10), litter/compost (n = 5), soil (n = 5), and swabs of feeders and waterers (n = 6) were collected at each visit and processed for E. coli. Assessment of ESBL phenotype was determined through using disk diffusion with 3rd generation cephalosporins, cefotaxime and ceftazidime, and that with clavulanic acid. Broth microdilution and whole genome sequencing were used to investigate both phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles, respectively. ESBL E. coli was more prevalent in backyard farms with 12.95% of samples testing positive whereas 0.77% of commercial farm samples were positive. All isolates contained a blaCTX-M gene, the dominant variant being blaCTX-M-1, and its presence was entirely due to plasmids. Our study confirms concerns of growing resistance to fourth generation cephalosporin, cefepime, as roughly half (51.4%) of all isolates were found to be susceptible dose-dependent and few were resistant. Resistance to non-beta lactams, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, was also detected in our samples. Our study identifies prevalence of blaCTX-M type ESBL E. coli in U.S. backyard broiler farms, emphasizing the need for interventions for food and production safety.

Addressing Fecal Contamination in Rural Kenyan Households: The Roles of Environmental Interventions and Animal Ownership.

Combined water, sanitation, and handwashing (WSH) interventions could reduce fecal contamination along more transmission pathways than single interventions alone. We measured Escherichia coli levels in 3909 drinking water samples, 2691 child hand rinses, and 2422 toy ball rinses collected from households enrolled in a 2-year cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating single and combined WSH interventions. Water treatment with chlorine reduced E. coli in drinking water. A combined WSH intervention improved water quality by the same magnitude but did not affect E. coli levels on hands or toys. One potential explanation for the limited impact of the sanitation intervention (upgraded latrines) is failure to address dog and livestock fecal contamination. Small ruminant (goat or sheep) ownership was associated with increased E. coli levels in stored water and on child hands. Cattle and poultry ownership was protective against child stunting, and domesticated animal ownership was not associated with child diarrhea. Our findings do not support restricting household animal ownership to prevent child diarrheal disease or stunting but do support calls for WSH infrastructure that can more effectively reduce household fecal contamination.

Megaplasmid Dissemination in Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Serotypes from Backyard and Commercial Broiler Production Systems in the Southeastern United States.

Over the past decade, there has been a rise in U.S. backyard poultry ownership, raising concern for residential area antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella contamination. This study aims to lay the groundwork to better understand the persistence of AMR Salmonella in residential broiler production systems and make comparisons with commercial systems. Ten backyard and 10 commercial farms were sampled at three time points across bird production. Both fecal (n = 10) and environmental (soil, n = 5, litter/compost, n = 5, feeder, and waterer swabs, n = 6) samples were collected at each visit on days 10, 31, and 52 of production for backyard farms and days 10, 24, and 38 of production for commercial farms. AMR Salmonella was characterized phenotypically by broth microdilution and genotypically by whole-genome sequencing. Overall, Salmonella was more prevalent in commercial farm samples (52.31%) over backyard farms (19.10%). Kentucky (sequence type (ST) 152) was the most common serotype found in both backyard and commercial farms. Multidrug-resistant (MDR, resistance to ≥3 or more antimicrobial classes) isolates were found in both production systems, while ciprofloxacin- and nalidixic acid-resistant and intermediate isolates were more prevalent in commercial (33%) than backyard samples (1%). Plasmids that have been associated with MDR were found in Kentucky and Infantis isolates, particularly IncFIB(K)_1_Kpn3 megaplasmid (Infantis). Our study emphasizes the need to understand the selection pressures in disseminating megaplasmids in MDR Salmonella in distinct broiler production systems.

Detection of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) antibodies in backyard poultry by using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) causes infectious bursal disease in poultry and poses a major challenge to the poultry industry globally. This study aimed to measure seroprevalences and so detect exposure to IBDV in backyard poultry in the selected zone of Horro Guduru Wollega. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to November 2022. Blood samples were collected for serum extraction from 384 backyard chickens in the Horro and Horro Bulluq districts. IBDV antibody detection was conducted using an indirect ELISA serological diagnostic test. Questionnaires assessed poultry owners? knowledge and health/hygiene management practices regarding the disease. The over all seroprevalence of IBDV was 14.84%. Significant variations in seroprevalence were seen based on district, bird age, bird sex, and flock size. Limited owner experience (just 1-3 years), disposing of carcasses in pits, and poor hygiene on the backyard premises were associated with higher IBDV seroprevalence. In conclusion, IBDV seroprevalence was linked to chicken management practices. Recommendations include improving poultry management among owners to control IBDV. The study indicates backyard poultry in the region have considerable IBDV exposure, and control should focus on improving management practices identified as high-risk, such as pit disposal of carcasses and poor hygiene.

Mortality in Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Associated with Natural Infection with H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) Subclade 2.3.4.4.

A Eurasian strain of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was first detected in North America in December 2021 and has since been confirmed in numerous wild and domestic avian species. In April 2022, 41 Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were found dead in Johnson County, Wyoming, USA adjacent to a property with confirmed HPAIV in a backyard poultry flock. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 11 of the 41 turkeys and necropsy was performed on seven. Avian influenza virus RNA was detected in all 11 turkeys by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Acute, multiorgan necrosis was observed grossly and identified in all seven turkeys evaluated by histopathology, most consistently in the lung, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and gonads. Lesions indicate high virulence of subclade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in Wild Turkeys, with infections presenting as clusters of acute mortality. Although documented cases of HPAIV in Wild Turkeys are rare, these findings signify a risk of spillback from domestic poultry, which may be heightened by the recent rise in backyard poultry ownership and the use of peridomestic habitat by wild birds. Additional research is needed to better understand the risk of disease transmission at the interface of Wild Turkeys and backyard poultry and the potential conservation and management implications of HPAIV in wild gallinaceous birds.

Selective Breeding under a Hierarchical Mating Using Osborne Index Web App

The poultry industry has targets to meet consumption trends and thus to produce genetically superior birds with high productivity of egg. Better egg production techniques are recommended, to satisfy in-house and export demand. The correlation of egg production with various parameters is considered by various breeders. With the efforts of breeders to satisfy demand, poultry breeding has introduced individual feed conversion testing, Osborne index, pedigreeing, hybridization, selection index, artificial insemination, and mass selection etc. The most reliable and proven Osborne index states that the maximum efficiency of egg production can be obtained by selection on the basis of a combination of family average and individual record. Technological advances have fostered the poultry sector in the last few decades. ICT led transmutation of processes and practices is apparent in almost all aspects of human activities. Knowledge about a particular breeding technique is required for its prefect implementation. These techniques require a kind of data mining and statistical analysis for matting sires and dams. In the era of 5G, Web Apps can provide better options for providing timely, precise analyzed information to poultry owners or breeders. This paper proposes a device responsive web app for Osborne Index for hierarchical mating using selective breeding.

Avian Influenza Surveillance in Pigs, Dogs, Chickens and Slaughter Slabs Biosecurity in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease likely to be exposed to dog, pig and poultry owners & their processors who are in close contact during processing of these animals in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. The study assessed the biosecurity practice of processors in pig, poultry, and dog slaughter slabs; and the prevalence of Avian Influenza (H5 subtype) antibodies in dogs, pigs, and chickens in Kaduna Metropolis. The slaughter slab biosecurity practices were evaluated using questionnaires while the H5 antibodies surveillance was determined by hemagglutination inhibition test. Serum samples from 45 dogs, 104 pigs and 75 chickens were tested for H5 subtype. H5 subtype antibodies prevalence in dogs was 2.2% with a mean titre of 9.0 ± 0 log2 while prevalence and mean titre in chicken were 6.7% and 8.5 ± 0.32 log2 respectively. All pig sera tested were negative for H5 subtype antibodies. The chicken H5 subtype prevalence in central market and railway station live bird markets were 4.3% and 13% respectively. H5 subtype antibodies were present in dogs and chickens in Kaduna metropolis. There is the need for targeted surveillance of avian influenza in dogs and pigs should be incorporated in the national avian influenza surveillance program.

The effect of management practices on eggshell cleanliness, bacteria levels, and cuticle deposition in pastured poultry

Small-scale egg production is a growing industry in New England. However, foodborne illness risk exists from small-scale pastured eggs due to lack of guidelines for safe handling and management practices. A survey was distributed to backyard poultry owners and producers in the Northeast and indicated a variety of management practices were used. Based on these results, we developed a set of experiments to determine if these management practices influenced eggshell bacteria levels and cuticle deposition. We hypothesized that the manure level (ML) of the eggs and management practices will affect both the total bacterial levels (measured in relative light units = RLU) and the cuticle deposition (CD) of the eggshell. The management practices tested were nest box type (rollaway and conventional style), nest box location (mounted vs floor level access), nesting substrate (straw, shavings and ​​AstroTurf® Nest Pads), and time/frequency of egg collection. The CD experiments involved nest box type and nest substrate management practices only. In conclusion, management practices that minimize manure levels on eggs, like time of egg collection as found in this study, can help to maintain lower eggshell bacteria levels to reduce food safety risk.

Analysis of Environmental Impact and Waste Management of Egg Poultry Industry in the Philippines: A Case of San Jose, Batangas

The poultry industry produces a lot of waste, and environmental issues grow as the egg industry expands. Poultry owners in the Philippines, notably in San Jose, Batangas, face numerous waste management concerns. This study examined these issues as well as their environmental safety policies. San Jose, in Batangas province, is renowned as "The Egg Basket of the Philippines" for its large-scale egg production. This study collected data using qualitative descriptive analysis. The poultry farms in the municipality were about 376 as of 2021, but with no definite total number of poultry owners. Interviews with the municipal agriculturist and ten poultry owners was utilized. The study revealed substantial waste management difficulties such as manure disposal, water and air pollution, odor disturbance and insects, weather conditions, and virus outbreaks (bird flu). The study's concerning SDGs were 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Waste disposal over the past decades still poses a threat to the environment. The local government adopted poultry ordinances/resolutions: Resolution 164 of 2008, Resolution 341 of 2016, and Resolution 348 of 2016/Ordinance 007 series of 2016. These policies and initiatives were concluded to be environmentally friendly, but most poultry owners lack awareness of the said policies. Awareness is vital for better policy responses, and the municipality needs to develop its information dissemination. It is essential to improve waste management policies and farm monitoring methods. The local government should implement concrete socioeconomic and environmental programs to empower residents and poultry owners, especially the younger generation, and improve the municipality's knowledge of waste management techniques.

Serological evidence of egg drop syndrome 1976 in backyard poultry flocks in Southwestern Nigeria

In Nigeria, egg drop syndrome 1976 (EDS’76), unlike other poultry diseases, has been given little attention as a cause of economic losses due to decreased egg production, particularly in backyard poultry flocks. This study aimed to investigate the presence of EDS’76 virus in backyard poultry flocks in Oyo and Osun states, Southwestern Nigeria. Blood samples were collected in 24 farms from 218 apparently healthy, unvaccinated birds which comprised 30 Japanese quails, 75 turkeys, 30 ducks, 57 indigenous chickens and 26 guinea fowls. Indirect ELISA was used to detect anti-EDS’76 virus antibodies in sera from the birds, and poultry owners were interviewed on their purposes with regard to bird raising. Overall, 139 (63.8%) sera were positive for EDS’76 with 26.7% (8/30), 90.7% (68/75), 33.3% (10/30), 89.5% (51/57) and 7.7% (2/26) from Japanese quails, turkeys, ducks, indigenous chickens and guinea fowls, respectively. Some of the farmers practiced placing eggs from guinea fowls under brooding indigenous hens for natural incubation, or sold eggs from turkeys and ducks to commercial hatcheries. Our findings suggest that these bird species serve as reservoirs of EDS’76 virus with the probable involvement of backyard poultry in its transmission, particularly to commercial poultry and other birds in Southwestern Nigeria. Thus, backyard poultry should be included in anti-EDS’76 vaccination schedules in the country.

Web crawling of social media and related web platforms to analyze backyard poultry owners responses to the 2018-2020 Newcastle Disease (ND) outbreak in Southern California.

As social media becomes an ever-increasing staple of everyday life and a growing percentage of people turn to community driven platforms as a primary source of information, the data created from these posts can provide a new source of information from which to better understand an event in near real time. The 2018-2020 outbreak of Newcastle Disease (ND) in Southern California is the third outbreak of ND in Southern California within a 50-year time span. These outbreaks are thought to be primarily driven by non-commercial poultry (i.e. backyard and game fowl) in the region. Here we employed a commercial 'web crawling' tool between June of 2018 and July of 2020 which encompassed the majority of the outbreak in order to collect all available online mentions of 'virulent Newcastle Disease' (vND), the terminology commonly used by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the general public, in relation to the outbreak. A total of 2498 posts in English and Spanish were returned using a Boolean logic-based string search. While the number of posts was relatively small, their impact as measured by the number of visitors to the website and the number of people viewing the post (where provided) was much larger. Posts with negative sentiment were found to have a larger audience relative to posts with a positive sentiment. In addition, posts with negative sentiment peaked in May of 2019 which preceded the formation of the anti-depopulation group Save Our Birds (SOB). As the usage and impact of social media grows, the ability to utilize tools to analyze social media may improve both response and outreach-based strategies for various disease outbreaks including vND in Southern California which has a large non-commercial poultry population.

Knowledge, attitude and practice related to Avian influenza among poultry workers of Kathmandu, Nepal

Background: Avian influenza is a threat to global health. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to avian influenza among poultry workers in Kathmandu, Nepal.Methods: This is a qualitative cross sectional study done among poultry workers and owners of poultry farms in Kathmandu valley from February 2019 to June 2019 with a face-to-face interview. Data was analysed in the Statistical package of the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: Out of the 100 respondents, 70% were male. 5% were illiterate. 96% of them had knowledge that avian influenza is transferred from uncooked poultry, 57% of them had knowledge regarding symptoms of avian influenza. 57% of them also had knowledge regarding availability of vaccine against the disease with television and newspapers being major sources of information. Among them, 93% applied proper disposal practice regarding poultry wastes, 83% applied masks and boot covers for poultry rearing and 90% maintained hand hygiene before and after coming in contact with poultry.Conclusions: This study highlighted the knowledge among poultry workers about avian influenza, its symptoms and good practices for prevention of its transmission. Television and newspapers appeared to be the most effective means for imparting knowledge regarding avian influenza. Specific age groups should be targeted with appropriate interventions to improve the practices for better prevention of avian influenza.

Effect of poultry absorptive capacity on the farms' economic and commercial performance

PurposeCorporate organizations could enhance their economic and commercial values through knowledge acquisitions and exploitations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the economic and commercial performance effect of poultry management absorptive capacity in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was used in the analysis of a random sample of 300 poultry managers and owners surveyed within the South-Eastern Nigeria. The scales that quantified the latent variables of the factors were tested for reliability and consistency using confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsThe study found evidence that the difference between economically and commercially viable poultry businesses and failing ones depends on the level of absorptive capacity. Absorptive capacity advanced innovations that resulted in higher economic and commercial performance of poultry farm. Poultry firms' profitability, sales growth and market shares were positively increased by absorptive capacity dimensions of acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was carried out within a region in Nigeria and thus could be limited by generalization to the developed country.Originality/valueThis study is the first to link four dimensions of absorptive capacity to the economic and commercial performance of poultry businesses in Nigeria. As such, it originally breaks new frontier of poultry farming from dynamic capabilities and absorptive capacity perspectives.

Backyard poultry flocks in France: A diversity of owners and biosecurity practices

Over the past few years, the number of backyard poultry flocks has been increasing in France. A mandatory step to improve backyard poultry management is to assess health risks by characterizing the flocks and understanding the owners’ motivations for keeping poultry and their husbandry practices. A survey of backyard poultry owners was conducted in France to gather information about their motivations for owning poultry, flock characteristics, and breeding and biosecurity practices. The survey was completed by 1,160 owners. The major motivations for owning poultry flocks were egg consumption (93.3 %), recycling (72.4 %) and having pet animals (53.2 %). Most owners had already heard about avian influenza (96.7 %), but were less aware about other diseases such as Newcastle Disease (41.6 %), salmonellosis (79.1 %), or campylobacteriosis (18.6 %). Owners mainly kept only egg-layers (78.4 %), and the median size flock was five egg-layers. Owners gave eggs to their relatives, occasionally or regularly, in 86.6 % of the cases. Contacts with other family poultry owners were frequent (68.9 %) and biosecurity practices were poorly implemented: 50 % of owners did not wash their hands systematically after visiting the flock and more than 60 % of owners did not wear specific shoes. Drawing from the survey data, five profiles of family poultry flocks were identified with multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The profiles, based on flock characteristics and owners’ practices and motivations, illustrate the heterogeneity of the backyard poultry sector: 1) urban poultry, 2) traditional poultry, 3) student poultry, 4) pet poultry and 5) hobby poultry. Urban poultry consisted of recently constituted (< 2 years old), small (< 3 birds) flocks of layers, and traditional poultry of older, medium-sized flocks belonging to retired and older people. These two profiles were characterized by limited contacts (direct or indirect) with other flocks and owners. Student poultry consisted of younger owners (<30 years old) with flocks over 5 years old. Pet poultry consisted of recently established, medium-size flocks of layers located in both rural or urban environments. Hobby poultry consisted of dedicated owners who breed and sell poultry and participate in exhibitions and poultry shows. Pet and hobby poultry profiles were characterized by greater knowledge of diseases and biosecurity practices, more bird movements, and reported more frequent clinical signs. The observation of different profiles can help target veterinary and public health education messages to prevent disease transmission in backyard poultry flocks in France.

The role of complementary feeding in India\u2019s high child malnutrition rates: findings from a comprehensive analysis of NFHS IV (2015\u20132016) data

Relative to its economic growth and poverty levels, Indian children suffer from higher levels of malnutrition than children in many other low- and middle-income countries. Research presented in this article examined the links between infant and young child feeding practices among Indian children and their rates of stunting, underweight, wasting, and anaemia, with a particular focus on the types of semisolid complementary food consumed. It did so through a comprehensive analysis of data on more than 57,000 6-to-23-month-old children obtained from the nationally representative National Family Health Survey IV (2015–2016). One of the key findings was that especially feeding children animal-sourced and vitamin-A-rich food was associated with lower malnutrition rates. The study further interrogated whether livestock ownership and participation in the Integrated Child Development Services programme could be supportive of better complementary child feeding and concluded that daily food receipts from the programme and poultry ownership were indeed linked with significantly higher rates of children following the recommended feeding practices as well as with somewhat lower children’s malnutrition rates.

A Major Constraints and Health Management of Village Poultry Production in Wayu Tuka District East Wallaga Zone, Western Ethiopia

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify the main obstacles and the health management system of the Wayu Tuka districts' poultry production system. The area's consenting study participants created and distributed a semi-structured questionnaire. Out of the 100 responders, 37%, 34%, and 29% were from the district's Migna Kura, Bonaya Molo, and Gute Badiya kebeles. Of the participants, 29 (29.0%) were female, while the remainder (71%) were male. The majority of participants kept at least one chicken in their houses, mostly to produce eggs and meat. In the research area, more than half of the respondents (57 percent) stated they favored the unusual varieties of chicken. Of the respondents in the study area, 44% used backyard management systems, and 56% used semi-intensive systems to manage their chickens. Regarding the frequency of cleaning the chicken buildings, half of the respondents reported doing it daily, while 36% reported cleaning them just twice a week. Most respondents claimed to have access to the marketing system and to use local shopkeepers to sell their products at doorsteps and village markets. Even though 56% and 43% of poultry owners, respectively, vaccinated and dewormed their animals, just 42% of them took care of the health and biosecurity of their chickens. In response to questions on the actions taken for the sick hens, most respondents consult veterinarians, 15% sell the sick birds, and 14% treat them with conventional medications. The research area's village poultry production faces several key obstacles, including disease and predator outbreaks, inadequate healthcare, subpar nutrition, and inadequate marketing information. Thus, in addition to hands-on instruction, ongoing training in better home design, appropriate feeding practices, and disease and predator management should be provided.

Examination of Australian backyard poultry for Salmonella, Campylobacter and Shigella spp., and related risk factors.

Worldwide, foodborne illness is a significant public health issue in both developed and developing countries. Salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and shigellosis are common foodborne gastrointestinal illnesses caused by the bacteria Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Shigella spp. respectively. These zoonotic diseases are frequently linked to eggs and poultry products. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of these pathogens in Australian backyard poultry flocks and to determine risk factors for these pathogens. Poultry faeces samples were collected from 82 backyards and screened for Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Shigella spp. using qPCR. A questionnaire was administered to the backyard poultry owners to assess their knowledge regarding management of poultry and eggs and to identify potential risk factors that may contribute to the presence of zoonotic pathogens in the flocks. One composite faecal sample was collected from each backyard (82 samples). Composite sampling here means taking one or more grab samples from a backyard to make up approximately 10 grams. Four per cent of samples, that is 4% backyards tested, were positive for Salmonella spp., 10% were positive for Campylobacter spp. and none were positive for Shigella spp. A higher infection rate was seen in multi-aged flocks (24%) compared with the single-aged flocks (3%). The survey found that many participants were engaging in risky food safety behaviours with 46% of participants responding that they washed their eggs with running water or still water instead of wiping the dirt off with a damp cloth to clean the eggs and 19% stored their eggs at room temperature. This study demonstrated that backyard poultry may pose a potential risk for salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. Additionally, Australian public health and food safety regulations should be modified and effectively implemented to address the risks associated with backyard poultry husbandry.

Assessing Backyard Poultry versus Small Animal Knowledge of Veterinary Students regarding Husbandry, Prescription Drug Use, and Antimicrobial Resistance.

As backyard poultry (BYP) ownership has increased in the US, the demand for veterinarians who treat BYP has also increased. However, veterinarians who treat BYP remain scarce and are mostly small animal veterinarians and exotic animal practitioners who have limited training in food animal regulatory practices. To gauge whether veterinary students are interested in learning more about BYP and what BYP topics to include in an online training program for veterinary students, a BYP knowledge assessment was conducted. Pre-clinical veterinary students were asked to self-rate their level of knowledge on various topics for both small animal practice and BYP using Likert-type ordinal scales. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests of those Likert data showed significant differences (p < .01 at α = .05) between self-assessed knowledge of poultry and small animal medicine for all surveyed topics. Specifically, veterinary students ranked themselves as less knowledgeable on poultry concepts than on small animal medicine concepts. Nevertheless, students expressed interest in an online training program for treating BYP and drug residue avoidance in BYP, despite having chosen future career tracks that are not exclusively poultry. Specific topics students expressed interest in with respect to BYP training included anatomy, husbandry, prescribing medications, treatment options, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, and extra-label drug use.

Is Debt Financing a Burden or a Boost to the Growth of Small Scale Poultry Farms? Evidence From Nigeria

The growth of poultry industry is very relevant to the economic growth in Nigeria. Poultry farm growth may respond to debt financing either positively or negatively over time. So the purpose of this research was to examine the asymmetric relationship between debt financing and the growth of poultry farms in Nigeria. Multi-stage procedure for selection of sample was employed to involve two hundred and forty (240) poultry farmers in the survey. Primary data collected with structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools (mean, percentage, standard deviation). Inferential statistical formula was employed for data analysis. Result indicates that 6% of total asset was financed by debt indicating that debt threshold of 50% was neither attained nor exceeded. Growth in stock size, revenue and poultry owners’ equity responded positively to debt financing but to a small extent. Significant determinants of debt status of poultry farms identified were: farm age, farm size, loan condition, loan duration, loan sources and owners’ equity. The study focused on a sample of poultry farms in developing nation so caution should be exercised in over generalization of the outcome. More access to external debt financing is recommended to boost poultry farms’ growth in Nigeria.

Poultry Ownership and Genetic Antibiotic Resistance Determinants in the Gut of Preschool Children.

Zoonotic transmission is likely a pathway for antibiotic resistance. Data from a randomized trial of pediatric antibiotic administration were secondarily evaluated to determine if poultry ownership was significantly associated with the presence of gut genetic antibiotic resistance determinants among 118 children in Burkina Faso. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants were classified using DNA sequencing. We measured the relationship between genetic resistance determinants and chicken ownership using a logistic regression model adjusted for confounding variables. Children in households reporting poultry ownership had four times the odds of tetracycline resistance determinants in the gut compared with those without household poultry (odds ratio [OR]: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.08-15.44, P = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference found for other antibiotic classes. Understanding the origins of antibiotic resistance may help spur the development of interventions to combat the global AMR crisis.