From Rotimi Asher, Lagos
Some poultry experts in Lagos have called for improved biosecurity measures on poultry farms to prevent reoccurring disease outbreaks in the sector.
The experts who spoke in Lagos noted that strict adherence to biosecurity measures among other factors would prevent the poultry flock from being infected by diseases.
A poultry expert, Mr Michael Aleagbu, urged the farmers to cut down on indiscriminate entrance into the poultry farms and other preventive measures to adopt.
A poultry expert, Mr Michael Aleagbu, urged the farmers to cut down on indiscriminate entrance into the poultry farms and other preventive measures to forestall disease outbreaks.
“To prevent infestation and death of their flock, poultry farmers must limit visitors access to their farms. Farmers need to step up biosecurity, measures on their farms at all times to prevent sudden outbreak of diseases.
“Indiscriminate entry into the farms is the number one way of diseases being transmitted to the flock.
“By preventing indiscriminate entry into the farms, the farmer would have covered at least 50% of disease outbreaks in their farms.
“There must also be available water and sanitisers at the entrance of the farm for anybody entering the farm.
“Coveralls and appropriate foot gear must be worn by anybody entering the farms. The poultry feeds must also be sanitised so viral infections are not easily spread among the birds”, Aleagbu said.
He added that farmers must ensure vaccination of their birds with the regular vaccines to prevent reoccurring disease outbreaks.
“Farmers still employ the services of veterinary doctors but not as frequently as they should because of the cost implications.
“Some farmers rely on self medication or prescription for their birds due to their attained experience.
“Most poultry farmers now apply experiential knowledge to treat their birds.
“But that’s not the best action because most of the time they do guess work which sometimes leads to high mortality rates among the birds”, the expert said.
On her part, Mrs Justina Muyi, a poultry farmer, said ignoring simple day-to-day tasks on the farms, can lead to the risk of disease outbreaks among the flock.
“There are simple things that if a poultry farmer ignores can result in the outbreak of diseases in their farms.
“Simple things like restricting indiscriminate entrance into the farms, regularly clearing the farm litters and ensuring clean feed and water for the birds if ignored can result in disease outbreaks on poultry farms.
“Farmers must vaccinate their birds as at when due and should engage the services of veterinary doctors in serious cases.
“The cost of engaging a vet doctor is not as high so many people see it. They sometimes charge a meagre amount per birds in cases of vaccination.
“We are encouraged most times to get the professionals involves when and if we perceive a threat of disease outbreaks on our farms”, Muyi said.
