Small-scale Poultry Research Articles

Challenges of poultry production in Nigeria: A review

This study provides a review on the challenges facing poultry production in Nigeria and the possible solution. The study considered the socio-economic roles of poultry to include; means of livelihood and a way of achieving a certain level of economic independence, meeting human needs for dietary animal protein supply, source of foreign earnings and opportunities for saving, investment and security against risks for small-scale poultry farmers. This paper reviewed the challenges of poultry production in Nigeria and how the rate of production in the industry has slowed down. These challenges included; high rate of disease and pest attack, lack of loan and credit procurement, lack of technical knowledge, high rate of mortality, high cost of poultry feed, supply of poor quality chicks, inadequate poultry extension services, and inadequate access to and high cost of veterinary services, as reported by Possible solutions to these challenges are not farfetched, which included; intervention of veterinary in order to cub losses due to diseases, technical know-how for improving production should be made available to poultry keepers through extension service, poultry farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies or join existing one to be able to access loan for their business and addressing these challenges will prove vital to increase production, increase animal protein availability and consumption, and reduce the rate of food insecurity.

Starter broiler feed brand preferences by small scale poultry farmers versus performance of broiler chickens fed the preferred feed brands in Owerri zone, Imo State, Nigeria

The production and sale of 28 day-old broiler chicks, a business known locally as “brood and sell” is rapidly growing among small scale poultry farmers in Owerri zone, Imo state, South East Nigeria. Feed however, is a major budget item that affects profit in the business. This study therefore, evaluated the preferences of farmers for the different starter broiler feed brands versus the performance of such broilers on these feed brands. A purposively structured questionnaire was designed and administered to forty eight small scale poultry farmers in seven local government areas in the zone. Based on the responses from the farmers, a 28-day feeding trial was carried out at our station using 210, one-day old Marshal broiler chicks to determine their performance on feed brands preferred by the farmers. Results of the survey indicated that five feed brands coded TF, VF, AF, HF and ZF were actively distributed in the zone. VF brand was the most preferred (49.10%) and TF second most preferred (29.07%) while HF brand was the least preferred (3.66%). Results of the feeding trial indicated that TF recorded the best body weight gain (495.22g), feed conversion ratio (FCR), 2.53 and 0.00% mortality while HF recorded the least body weight gain (214.29g), poorest FCR (5.57) and highest mortality rate (14.28%). The VF brand mostly preferred by the farmers from our survey recorded 469.04g body weight gain, 2.87 FCR and 0.00% mortality. TF which outperformed other brands however, cost much more per kg. Preference of feed brand by small scale poultry farmers in Owerri zone, from the results obtained is influenced by cost but the quality of such feed brand was also a major consideration.

Growth Analysis and the Determinants of Entrepreneurial Orientation in the Small-Scale Poultry Subsector in Delta State, Nigeria

Entrepreneurial orientation is vital to growth and development, but lacking in many small-scale enterprises. This study investigated growth and entrepreneurial orientation in the small-scale poultry subsector of Delta State, Nigeria. It also ascertained the drivers of poultry entrepreneurial orientation in the study area. A multistage sampling procedure was used to collect primary data from 180 poultry farmers, through a questionnaire. A four-point Likert scale of five items was used to measure entrepreneurial orientation from innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including gross margins, an autoregressive lag model, and logistic regression. The majority (57.7%) of the farmers are female. The small-scale poultry entrepreneurs had an orientation that was above average. The autoregressive lag model result indicated an increase in stock size and gross margins of poultry enterprises. It was forecast that the growth trend would increase up to 2022. Furthermore, the ANOVA result was statistically significant at 0.002*** and 0.001*** for stock size and gross margins, respectively. Years of experience and training in poultry farming and noninvolvement of entrepreneurs in other occupations influence their entrepreneurial orientation. Poultriy entrepreneurs must be trained while they adopt poultry farming as their principal occupation.

Rural women empowerment through small scale poultry farming: A case study of Vattamkulam model, Malappuram

Abstract: The Animal husbandry department of Kerala and local self-government department and Kudumbashree mission has started a plan during 2018-19 entitled “Backyard broiler farming” at Vattamkulam Gramapanchayath, Edappal, Malappuram district. The said plan was advertised as ‘Earn money at your doorstep through broiler farming’ and was welcomed by more than 40 household women. The farmers who owned a land area, not less than 10 cents were selected for this model. The local self- Government provided the shelter arrangements including cages for free of cost. The Animal husbandry department has supplied chicks (Day old Cobb varieties) and feed and aided Kudumbashree unit to market these broilers. The speciality of broiler farming is that within a short period (35 – 40 days) a chick gains an average weight of 2 – 2.3 kg, which can be sold at market to earn a reasonable margin of profit for farmers. The usual mortality rate was 5% for broiler farming, but it was less than 2 % in this model. Modified vaccination protocol against the viral disease Gumboro (I.B.D), has been adopted for this model to reduce the mortality rate. Also, antibiotics as feed additives were not supplemented in this model. Within 40 days, these women entrepreneurs are getting a good profit from meat production alone. This broiler meat is marketed under the brand name of Vattamkulam Safe Chicken. The Vattamkulam backyard broiler farming helps the household women support themselves and provide safe and quality meat to society in which they belong. Keywords: Women empowerment, Vattamkulam Model, Broiler farming

HOW TO COMMUNICATE LIVESTOCK HAZARD? AN APPROACH TO IMPROVE FARMERS’ RISK PREPAREDNESS

Poultry industry is faced with a relatively high risk especially for small scale poultry farmers. Therefore, preparedness is needed to deal with risks. Communication in poultry is s essential. Its shown by one of the strategies of national preparedness for facing influenza pandemic, namely communication, information, and education (risk communication). Communication can improve the level of knowledge of farmers. The perceived needs of farmers that emerged include knowledge for a broader implementation of essential biosecurity. This paper aims to find out the standard form of small scale farmers communication with stakeholder and the impact of communication to improve farmers' risk preparedness. The selection of respondents used convineince sampling techniques to 33 farmers. Data analysis used descriptive analysis to found preparedness and communication that is done to reduce hazards. This study found that access communication farmers are Technical Support and Nucleus with two communication approaches, such as technical guidance and personal explanation. The contents of the communication consist of poultry health management, productivity, medicine, biosecurity, cleanliness the cage, and good farming practice. In general, small-scale farmers' preparedness activities in the Bogor district are limited to cleaning the cage regularly and cleaning cage after harvesting. Farmer with more communication activities has a positive impact on preparedness to face risks, especially related to restricting cage access, awareness of cage hygiene, and vaccination. Keywords: preparedness, hazard, livestock, communication

Detection and molecular identification of Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium species from village chickens in different areas of Myanmar

Village chicken production, a traditional, small-scale, and extensive backyard poultry industry, has been profitable for local farmers in Myanmar. However, there is scanty information available concerning the infection of these chickens with avian pathogens, including haemoprotozoan parasites. In the present study, we provide the first report of microscopic detection and molecular identification of Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium parasites from seven different areas of Myanmar. Leucocytozoon gametocytes were detected in 17.6% (81/461) of the blood smears from village chickens. The nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for targeting Leucocytozoon mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) genes had a 17.6% positive rate. Although the positive rate of nested PCR targeting Plasmodium/Haemoproteus cyt b was 34.3%, the PCR protocol was observed to possibly amplify DNA of a certain species of Leucocytozoon. There were no obvious clinical signs in the infected birds. Statistical analysis of the microscopic detection and PCR detection rates using the age and sex of birds as internal factors revealed that the statistical significances differed according to the study area. The sequencing of 32 PCR products obtained from each study area revealed infection by Leucocytozoon caulleryi in three birds, Leucocytozoon sabrazesi in two birds, Leucocytozoon schoutedeni in two birds, Leucocytozoon sp. in eighteen birds, and Plasmodium juxtanucleare in seven birds; however, Haemoproteus infection was not detected. While L. sabrazesi was detected in chickens from the central region of Myanmar, the other haemosporidians were detected in those from different areas. In the haplotype analysis, we detected 17 haemosporidian cyt b haplotypes, including two for L. caulleryi, one for L. sabrazesi, two for L. schoutedeni, nine for Leucocytozoon sp., and three for P. juxtanucleare. Phylogenetic analysis of the cyt b haplotypes revealed a considerably close genetic relationship among chicken haemosporidians detected in Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. These results indicate that well-recognized widespread species of chicken Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium are distributed nationwide in Myanmar, providing new insights into the ecosystem and control strategies of haemosporidian parasites in domesticated chickens in Myanmar.

Managing botulism outbreaks associated with poultry litter: balancing perceived animal welfare with disease prevention

Should we rear animals outside to allow them to better express natural behaviours, or should we keep them indoors to protect them from pathogens that cause pain and distress? The...

Challenges of Small Poultry Farms in Layer Production in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria.

The study assessed constraints to increased layers production among small-scale poultry farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. Data were collected using a multistage sampling technique to select 120 small-scale poultry farmers. Descriptive statistics (frequencies counts, percentages) were used to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. The result shows that the mean age of the respondents was 48 years and majority (77.5%) of the farmers had higher education. Majority of the respondents (73%) practiced sweeping and packing of dirt in the poultry house as the daily routine management on their farms. The major constraint faced by the respondents was disease and pest attack (76.7%) followed by difficulty in credit and loan procurement processes (73.3%). The study therefore recommends that Government should tackle the problem of loan/credit procurement, market price instability, disease and pest as well as proper funding of small-scale layers poultry business so as to enhance the commercialization of poultry industry in Nigeria.Keywords: Poultry Farms, Layer Production, Socio-Economic Characteristics, Constraints.

Bacteriological evaluation of retailed broiler chicken carcasses in Port-Said Province, Egypt.

A total of 80 random samples of freshly slaughtered and chilled broiler chicken carcasses (40 of each) were collected from different private small-scale manual poultry processing shops and local retailers in Port Said Province-Egypt during the period extended from January to May 2020. All samples were subjected to bacteriological examination to evaluate the quality and safety of dressed chicken carcasses. The obtained results revealed that the incidence rates of Escherichia coli, salmonella and campylobacter in the examined freshly slaughtered broiler chicken carcasses samples were 65%, 50%, and 55%, respectively, while the aerobic colony counts ranged from 1.5 × 105 to1.1 × 106, with a mean value of 3.2 × 105± 4.2 × 104cfu/cm2, respectively. Meanwhile, the incidence rates of E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter in the examined air chilled broiler chicken carcasses samples were 75%, 35%, and 40%, respectively, and the aerobic colony counts were ranged from 3 × 106 to 1.9 × 108, with a mean value of 4.1 × 107± 1.1 × 107cfu/cm2, respectively. From the obtained results, it was concluded that dressed freshly slaughtered and air chilled broiler chicken carcasses could be contaminated with a variety of bacteria which reflected the standard of hygiene under which these carcasses were slaughtered, handled and stored in addition to the probable public health hazards.

The occurrence of Salmonella, extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and carbapenem resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria in a backyard poultry flock environment.

Increase in the number of small-scale backyard poultry flocks in the USA has substantially increased human-to-live poultry contact, leading to increased public health risks of the transmission of multi-drug resistant (MDR) zoonotic and food-borne bacteria. The objective of this study was to detect the occurrence of Salmonella and MDR Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in the backyard poultry flock environment. A total of 34 backyard poultry flocks in Washington State (WA) were sampled. From each flock, one composite coop sample and three drag swabs from nest floor, waterer-feeder, and a random site with visible faecal smearing, respectively, were collected. The samples were processed for isolation of Salmonella and other fermenting and non-fermenting GNB under ceftiofur selection. Each isolate was identified to species level using MALDI-TOFF and tested for resistance against 16 antibiotics belonging to eight antibiotic classes. Salmonella serovar 1,4,[5],12:i:- was isolated from one (3%) out of 34 flocks. Additionally, a total of 133 ceftiofur resistant (CefR ) GNB including Escherichia coli (53), Acinetobacter spp. (45), Pseudomonas spp. (22), Achromobacter spp. (8), Bordetella trematum (1), Hafnia alvei (1), Ochrobactrum intermedium (1), Raoultella ornithinolytica (1), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (1) were isolated. Of these, 110 (82%) isolates displayed MDR. Each flock was found positive for the presence of one or more CefR GNB. Several MDR E.coli (n=15) were identified as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive. Carbapenem resistance was detected in non-fermenting GNB including Acinetobacter spp. (n=20), Pseudomonas spp. (n=11) and Stenotrophomonasmaltophila (n=1). ESBL positive E.coli and carbapenem resistant non-fermenting GNB are widespread in the backyard poultry flock environment in WA State. These GNB are known to cause opportunistic infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these GNB in the backyard poultry flock settings is needed to identify potential risks of transmission to people in proximity.

A Review of Antimicrobial Resistance in Poultry Farming within Low-Resource Settings.

Simple SummaryPoultry production can function as an instrument for poverty alleviation and economic development. As low-income countries transition into higher incomes alongside growing urban populations, there will be an increasing demand for quality sources of animal products. Consequently, poultry production systems will continue to shift from subsidence agricultural practices to intensive food production that implies routine antimicrobial usage. Promotion of intensive poultry production could increase antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within resource-limited settings lacking in effective biosafety and biosecurity measures. Bacterial resistance lessens the portfolio of antimicrobials available in poultry husbandry and potentially human medicine. This issue requires a systems framework in order to evaluate the various social and biological factors driving the emergence of resistance within the context of intensive poultry production.The emergence, spread, and persistence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remain a pressing global health issue. Animal husbandry, in particular poultry, makes up a substantial portion of the global antimicrobial use. Despite the growing body of research evaluating the AMR within industrial farming systems, there is a gap in understanding the emergence of bacterial resistance originating from poultry within resource-limited environments. As countries continue to transition from low- to middle income countries (LMICs), there will be an increased demand for quality sources of animal protein. Further promotion of intensive poultry farming could address issues of food security, but it may also increase risks of AMR exposure to poultry, other domestic animals, wildlife, and human populations. Given that intensively raised poultry can function as animal reservoirs for AMR, surveillance is needed to evaluate the impacts on humans, other animals, and the environment. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of poultry production within low-resource settings in order to inform future small-scale poultry farming development. Future research is needed in order to understand the full extent of the epidemiology and ecology of AMR in poultry within low-resource settings.

Poultry interventions and child nutrition status in low-income countries

Poultry production with the majority of free-range chickens is widely practiced in rural communities of low-income countries. Chickens and their eggs are important sources of income and food for the family. Eggs are nutritious with high quality protein and several macro-and micro-nutrients. Evidences showed that increased consumption of eggs improved the nutritional status of children under the age of two years. Projects aimed at increased egg intake among infants and young children have been implemented with different models and approaches, resulting in different outcomes. This paper reviewed the effectiveness of interventional studies in increasing egg intake among infants and young children in low-income countries. A total of eight articles were selected using PubMed and Google Scholar search engines with inclusion criteria of interventions with randomized and controlled study design that measured egg intake among children under the age of two years in low income countries, published in the last five years (from 2015 to 2019) and written in English. The interventions were systematically classified into three categories based on their implementation model: agriculture/poultry only, nutrition education only, and integrated poultry and nutrition interventions. All the models showedincreased egg intake with different levels of significance. Poultry only interventions were successful in egg production in excess quantity increasing egg consumption of infants and young children. However, the interventions were challenged by caregivers’ priority for income from the sale of the eggs and birds than feeding the children. Hence, egg intake did not increase high enough to the level of an-egg-a-day despite production and availability. Promoting egg for complementary feeding, interventions of nutrition education only resulted in significantly increased egg intake among children under the age of two years. Nevertheless, its sustainability might be challenged as it requires buying eggs every time, creating an economic burden to the rural low-income families. The third model integrated poultry and nutrition interventions, significantly increased egg consumption even with small scale poultry using local chickens by improving nutrition awareness of caregivers and increasing egg availability at household level, demonstrating greater potential of sustainability. Poultry interventions targeting increased egg intake among infants and young children in low-income countries need to be integrated with nutrition education for maximum effect with minimal cost. Moreover, the implementation of strategies to reduce chicken excreta contamination of the environment is equally important for the children to benefit the maximum from increased egg intake. Key words: egg intake, poultry, nutrition education, egg-a-day, low-income countries

Gut carriage of antimicrobial resistance genes in women exposed to small-scale poultry farms in rural Uganda: A feasibility study.

Antibiotic use for livestock is presumed to be a contributor to the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in humans, yet studies do not capture AMR data before and after livestock introduction. We performed a feasibility study by recruiting a subset of women in a delayed-start randomized controlled trial of small-scale chicken farming to examine the prevalence of clinically-relevant AMR genes. Stool samples were obtained at baseline and one year post-randomization from five intervention women who received chickens at the start of the study, six control women who did not receive chickens until the end of the study, and from chickens provided to the control group at the end of the study. Stool was screened for 87 clinically significant AMR genes using a commercially available qPCR array (Qiagen). Chickens harbored 23 AMR genes from classes found in humans as well as additional vancomycin and β-lactamase resistance genes. AMR patterns between intervention and control women appeared more similar at baseline than one year post randomization (PERMANOVA R2 = 0.081, p = 0.61 at baseline, R2 = 0.186, p = 0.09 at 12 months) Women in the control group who had direct contact with the chickens sampled in the study had greater similarities in AMR gene patterns to chickens than those in the intervention group who did not have direct contact with chickens sampled (p = 0.01). However, at one year there was a trend towards increased similarity in AMR patterns between humans in both groups and the chickens sampled (p = 0.06). Studies designed to evaluate human AMR genes in the setting of animal exposure should account for high baseline AMR rates. Concomitant collection of animal, human, and environmental samples over time is recommended to determine the directionality and source of AMR genes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02619227.

Earliest Utilization of Chicken in Upper California: The Zooarchaeology of Avian Remains from the San Diego Royal Presidio

The San Diego Presidio, established in AD 1769, was the first European settlement in Upper California. Very little is known about chicken husbandry in colonial America, which makes this study the first comprehensive analysis of chicken remains in North America. Chickens are scarcely mentioned in historical accounts describing early California, and information on their sex, age, or management is rare. The faunal assemblage from the San Diego Presidio yielded 20 avian and 14 mammalian species. Chicken remains were studied through a wide range of zooarchaeological methods, including taphonomy, biometry, medullary bone, epiphyseal fusion, butchering, and body-part representation. Taphonomic analysis indicates good preservation of the bone assemblage. The biometric study points to two breeds of chickens: a smaller (bantam) breed alongside a standard-size chicken. The percentage of juvenile chickens (23%), the rooster/hen ratio (1:8.5), and high proportion of medullary bone point to on-site chicken husbandry focusing on meat and egg production. The historical record suggests that California presidios were not self-sufficient and that they relied on food provisioned from Mexico and nearby missions. We argue that small-scale poultry production, likely managed by women and children, provided California presidios with a form of subsistence independence.

Drivers of Antibiotic Use in Poultry Production in Bangladesh: Dependencies and Dynamics of a Patron-Client Relationship.

Background: There is increasing concern around the use of antibiotics in animal food production and the risk of transmission of antimicrobial resistance within the food chain. In many low and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, the commercial poultry sector comprises small-scale producers who are dependent on credit from poultry dealers to buy day-old chicks and poultry feed. The same dealers also supply and promote antibiotics. The credit system is reliant upon informal relationships among multiple actors as part of social capital. This paper aims to describe dependencies and relationships between different actors within unregulated broiler poultry production systems to understand the social and contextual determinants of antibiotic use in low-resource settings.Methods: We used a cross-sectional qualitative design including in-depth interviews among purposefully selected commercial poultry farmers (n = 10), poultry dealers (n = 5), sales representatives of livestock pharmaceutical companies (n = 3) and the local government livestock officer as a key-informant (n = 1). We describe the food production cycle and practices relating to credit purchases and sales using social capital theory.Findings: Poultry dealers provide credit and information for small-scale poultry farmers to initiate and operate their business. In return for credit, farmers are obliged to buy poultry feed and medicine from their dealer and sell their market-ready poultry to that same dealer. All farms applied multiple antibiotics to poultry throughout the production cycle, including banned antibiotics such as colistin sulfate. The relationship between dealers and poultry farmers is reciprocal but mostly regulated by the dealers. Dealers were the main influencers of decision-making by farmers, particularly around antibiotic use as an integral part of the production cycle risk management. Our findings suggest that strategies to improve antibiotic stewardship and responsible use should exploit the patron-client relationship which provides the social and information network for small-scale farmers.Conclusion: Social capital theory can be applied to the patron-client relationship observed among poultry farmers and dealers in Bangladesh to identify influences on decision making and antibiotic use. Within unregulated food production systems, strategies to promote the prudent use of antibiotics should target commercial feed producers and livestock pharmaceutical manufacturers as a first step in developing a sustainable poultry value chain.

Broiler Poultry Feed Cost Optimization Using Linear Programming Technique

Demand for poultry meat and eggs is increasing at a faster pace due to its good quality, nutritive values, and reasonable price. With the growing demand for egg and poultry meat, the demand for poultry feed is also increasing. Most of the feed ingredients which are used in poultry feed are also used for human nutrition. So these major feed ingredients and cumulatively poultry feed are facing market competition with increased cost. This study proposed linear programming (LP) technique to minimize the feed cost for small scale poultry farms. It employs locally available feed ingredients to formulate the broiler starter and finisher feed mix. The dietary nutrient requirement for broiler starter and finisher stage were determined from the prescribed standard specifications by Indian standard institutes and National Research Centers, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Sixteen feed ingredients were selected to formulate the optimal feed mix to minimize the total cost of feed mix subject to the essential nutrient constraints. Microsoft excel solver was used for the formulation of liner programming model and optimal feed mix for broiler starter and finisher were obtained.

Analisis Manajemen Keuangan pada Usaha Peternakan Kemitraan Ayam Broiler Skala Rakyat

Poultry sectors contributed 2,51% of GDRP in the Central Java Province, where Semarangcontributed 1.135.487 kg of Broilers chicken in 2016. Plasma-core partnership is one of the most used business cooperation types amongst the poultry farmers. Classification in poultry business scale divides into 3 classes, which were: Small Scale (≤5.000 heads), Medium Scale (5.001-10.000 heads) and Large Scale (>10.000 head). The purpose of this study is to estimate the operating cashflows and revenue. The benefit of this study is to detect the profits and anticipate losses in poultry farming. This study used Survey methods, location arrangement used purposive sampling and data collected by interviews with the owners. Data analysis used revenue and operating cash flow computation. The results of this study show the net revenue of this poultry farm is IDR.171.488.834, while the operating cash flows are IDR.170.286.117,65. The cost of chicken seedlings purchase and its feed is the most expensive amongst all subjects. Clustering results shows that this poultry was categorized as Small scale poultry, where it’s population is only 4.000 chickens, but are profitable and worthy to expand, and makes it one of the most longest-living poultry farms in the region

Comparison of Dietary Kudzu Leaf Meal (Pueraria montana Var. lobata) and Alfalfa Meal Supplementation Effect on Broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Organ Parameters.

Simple SummaryThe increase in demand for poultry products has directly influenced an increase in poultry production. This increase has placed a strain on the accessibility of high protein feed resources (e.g., soybean meal). High demands for these protein resources from large poultry production industries have left small-scale poultry producers with minimal access to these feed ingredients. In response to this demand, many small-scale poultry producers are utilizing plant leaf based ingredients (i.e., leaf meals) as a protein substitute. Leaf meals offer poultry producers a feed resource that is inexpensive and high in protein. Kudzu is a rapid growing invasive plant species that can engulf and destroy many environments. Kudzu contains a high concentration of nutrients, making it a potentially viable protein substitute in poultry production. In the present study, meat chickens (broilers) were fed a diet containing kudzu leaf meal to assess effects on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, and organ parameters during a 3 week growing period. The results indicated that broilers fed kudzu performed at a relatively high level. Utilizing kudzu leaf meal as a protein substitute could benefit poultry producers in tropical countries/regions where kudzu is highly accessible and other protein sources are not.This research study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of kudzu leaf meal (KLM) and alfalfa meal (AM) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, and organ parameters. Kudzu leaf meal and AM were added at rates of 6% and 7.3%, respectively, to a complete broiler starter diet. Three treatments (control (complete broiler starter diet), KLM supplementation; and AM supplementation) with four replicates were fed to 217 male broilers over a 21 d battery cage grow out. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with battery cage representing the experimental unit. Birds on KLM and AM had a lower average body weight, lower cumulative feed consumption, and a higher adjusted feed conversion than control (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were observed treatment effects on whole breast weight (p = 0.0010), with control being higher than both treated diets. Minimal treatment effects were observed for organ parameters. Furthermore, there were no observed treatment differences for mortality (p > 0.05). Although broilers on KLM did not perform as well as those in the control group, these results are indicative that kudzu is safe to use in poultry production and has a high potential as a protein supplement in tropical regions with a low availability of commercial protein feedstuffs.

Financial Management Practices and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Poultry Industry in Ogun State, Nigeria

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the Agricultural sector is a combination that constitute a recognisable driving force for the development of an economy and the contribution of this sector cannot in any way be over-looked by any developing country particularly one that is struggling to diversify from petrol-carbon revenue and generate employment. The efficiency or otherwise of applicable financial management practices combined with the peculiarity and uncertainty of the business environment can make or mar the success of such SMEs operating in the poultry industry and this is the focus of this study. The study employed survey design. The study population comprised Poultry farmers in 162 farms as registered with the Poultry Association of Nigeria-Ogun State Chapter with the total of 200 farm managers, excluding farm attendants and other non-managerial staff. The Cochran formula was used to obtain a sample size of 150. The owners/managers of these Poultry farms were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique which involves the stratified, proportionate, and simple random sampling method. The instrument validity was established through scrutiny and evaluation by the research supervisors and experts in the study area, and reliability was determined via Cronbach’s alpha coefficient computed from pilot study responses. By the use of instrument codes, responses were processed into quantitative data for descriptive and empirical analysis. The analysis revealed that all proxies of financial management practices such as annual budget process, capital structure management and working capital management have a significant positive effect on profitability of poultry industry (Adjusted <i>R²</i>= 0.258, <i>F-statistics</i> = 9.407.: <i>p</i>= 0.000<0.05). Thus, the study concluded that financial management practices proxies, of profitability, cash solvency and economic value added, has a significant positive effect on the performance of poultry industry in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Phylogenetic group determination and plasmid virulence gene profiles of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli originated from the broiler meat supply chain in Bogor, Indonesia.

Background and Aim:Pathogenic Escherichia coli contamination along the broiler meat supply chain is a serious public health concern. This bacterial infection with multidrug-resistant can lead to treatment failure. Several studies have revealed that avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and human extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) showed a close genetic relationship and may share virulence genes. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic group and virulence gene profiles in colistin-resistant E. coli obtained from the broiler meat supply chain in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia.Materials and Methods:Fifty-eight archive isolates originated from the cloacal swab, litter, drinking water, inside plucker swab, fresh meat at small scale poultry slaughterhouses, and traditional markets were used in this study. All the isolates were characterized by a polymerase chain reaction to determine the phylogenetic group (A, B1, B2, or D) and virulence gene profiles with APEC marker genes (iutA, hlyF, iss, iroN, and ompT).Results:Phylogenetic grouping revealed that the isolates belong to A group (34.48%), D group (34.48%), B1 group (17.24%), and B2 group (13.79%). The virulence gene prevalence was as follows: iutA (36%), hlyF (21%), ompT (21%), iroN (10%), and iss (9%). The B2 group presented with more virulence genes combinations. iroN, hlyF, and ompT genes were positively associated with the B2 group (p≤0.05).Conclusion:Our results highlight the role of colistin-resistant E. coli originated from the broiler meat supply chain as a potential reservoir for human ExPEC virulence genes.