ABSTRACT

A survey study was carried out to assess the biosecurity practices and evaluate their benefit-cost implications in commercial poultry farms in Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 152 poultry farms were selected through a stratified random sampling technique for assessment of biosecurity and management practices in Enugu State. Thirty-four poultry farms (seventeen farms from those that adopted biosecurity measures and seventeen farms from those that did not adopt biosecurity measures) were further selected through a purposive sampling technique for the economic studies of biosecurity programs. The data for the studies were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire which were designed and validated, and were administered to the selected poultry farms. A non-participatory observation scheme and an in-depth oral interview for the non-literate respondents were also utilized in sourcing the data. Biosecurity measures studied were fencing of poultry farm, netting of poultry houses, all in all out flock replacement program, quarantining of incoming birds, exclusion of other animal species from the poultry farm, rodent control measures, restriction of movement to and within the farm, use of rubber boots, use of hand gloves while handling sick birds, use of coveralls, use of foot-bath, hand washing after handling birds, disinfection of incoming vehicles, periodic fumigation of the farm, sanitization of drinking water for the birds, galvanized roofing, availability of drainage systems, citing farms away from river or waterways and routine vaccination. Standard scoring pattern was used to assess the level of compliance with the biosecurity measures by the poultry farmers. Gross margin analysis was used to determine the level of profitability between poultry farms that complied with biosecurity measures and those that did not comply. Incremental benefit-cost analysis was used to determine the benefit-cost ratio of biosecurity programs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Chi-square (χ 2 ) statistics was used to determine the association between the biosecurity measures and the different agricultural zones in Enugu State, farm xii sizes, types of birds reared, level of education attained by the farmers, mode of operation and years of farming experience. There were significant associations (p < 0.05) between compliance to biosecurity measures and farm sizes (χ 2 cal. = 11.22; χ 2 crit. = 5.99), level of education attained by farmers (χ 2 cal. = 6.72; χ 2 crit. = 5.99), years of farming experience (χ 2 cal. = 24.56; χ 2 crit. = 3.84) and type of birds reared (χ 2 cal. = 8.25; χ 2 crit. = 7.81)). The level of association was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in large scale farms compared to medium and small scale farms. The level of association was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) among more educated farmers compared to less educated and non-educated ones. There was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) level of association in favour of experienced farmers than the less experienced ones. Also, there was a significantly higher (p < 0.05) level of association in favour of layer farms compared to farms that rear broilers and cockerels. There was however, no significant (p > 0.05) association between compliance to biosecurity measures and the agricultural zones surveyed (χ 2 cal. = 0.44; χ 2 crit. = 5.99) and modes of operation (χ 2 cal. = 2.56; χ 2 crit. = 3.84). Broiler farms that complied with biosecurity measures had higher gross margin than those that did not comply. The costs of biosecurity programs were N52.56 and N74.21 per matured broiler (at eight weeks) and point of lay pullet respectively. The percentage of eggs laid during the peak of laying periods was higher among layers farms that complied with biosecurity measures. An incremental benefit-cost ratio of 7.2 among broiler farms showed that biosecurity programs were cost effective. The implication is that biosecurity can contribute significantly to the success and profitability of poultry farming.