Mortality Risk Severity, Associated Factors and Appropriate Management Options in Poultry Agribusiness in Delta State, Nigeria (Published)
Biosecurity problems are among the most important challenges confronting poultry farms in Nigeria. Adequate empirical information on biosecurity is needed for effective risk management and productivity in poultry agribusiness This study examines mortality risk severity and biosecurity factors in poultry. Two hundred and ten respondent poultry farmers were randomly selected for the study. Structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis (mean, standard deviation, percentage and multiple regression model. The results show a mortality rate of 12% . Risk severity ( expected revenue loss due to risk) is N23, 010 per production cycle per farmer. Bioexclusion and biocontainment factors jointly explained 98% variation in mortality risk in poultry farms. Regression results show that litter replacement frequency (0.60)*, stocking density (0.87)*, available biosecurity infrastructure (0.61)* and routine cleanliness (0.53)* are significant biosecurity factors (p<0.05). We conclude that poultry farms vary sharply in their susceptability to mortality risk depending on available biosecurity management techniques practiced by the poultry farmers. Biosecurity practices will translate to increase revenue generation and progress in poultry industry. We recommend regular workshops on biosecurity management practices to be organised by the government and relevant agencies for poultry farmers in Nigeria.
Keywords: Biosecurity; Bioexclusion; Biocontainment; Poultry; Risk.