Abstract

BIOSECURITY MEASURES RELATED TO THE PURCHASE AND TRANSPORTATION OF DAY-OLD CHICKS IN POULTRY FARMS IN KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN

Elniema A. Mustafa*, Mortada M. O. Elhassan, Eman M. Hamad, Adil M. A. Salman, Manal M. E. E. and Lamyia M. A.

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the biosecurity measures related to the purchase and transportation of day-old chicks in poultry farms in Khartoum state, Sudan, and to correlate these with the type of production system and density of the farms as well. Seventy four commercial broiler and layer farms throughout the different localities of Khartoum State were randomly selected. Data were collected by on-farm visits, during which direct interviews with farmers and veterinarians in charge were carried out using a questionnaire. The latter comprised questions on day-old chicks and transport biosecurity measures. Scoring system of minimal, moderate or high biosecurity risk was initiated. Final weight and risk-based score was calculated for each biosecurity measure. The study revealed that the geographical distribution of farms was that 33 (44.6%) were located in sparsely populated area, 25 (33.8%) in moderately populated area and 16 (21.6%) in densely populated area. Forty three farms, representing 58.1% of the total farms under investigation, constantly purchased chicks from one supplier, while 31 (41.9%) farms their chicks were bought from different suppliers. No significant difference (P-value =.538) was detected between the sources of day-old chicks. In addition, 60 (81.1%) farms posed hygienic criteria on the transport vehicles before the chicks had been loaded, while others (18.9%) didn't practice any hygienic practices. However, no significance difference (P=0.161) was observed between layer and broiler farms in the aforementioned hygienic criteria. In regard to the frequency of introducing day-old chicks, 27 (36.5%) farms delivered chicks less than 3 times a year, 3 to 6 times a year in 36 (48.6%) ones and only 11 (14.9%) farms did that more than 6 times a year. The difference between annual frequency of bought-in one day old chicks and types of farms was highly significant (P< .000). In conclusion the results of this study highlighted the major biosecurity points related to the purchase and transportation of day-old chicks and density of poultry farms that need to be strengthened.

Keywords: Farm biosecurity, One day old chicks, Transport vehicles.