Effect of biosecurity-based interventions on broiler crude mortality rate at an early stage of production in the small-scale farming system in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Biosecurity-based interventions are important health strategies for the control of infectious disease and improve productivity in broiler. There are various reasons why broilers die at the early stages of production; however, biosecurity measures are crucial in reducing the risk of disease prevalence and can therefore affect the overall deaths in a flock for a specific period (crude mortality rate [CMR]). Objectives: This study was designed to determine the current biosecurity situation on small-scale broiler farms in Bangladesh and its relationship to the CMR during the early stages of production. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on small-scale broiler farms (N = 57) located in peri-urban areas of Chattogram and Pabna districts of Bangladesh. Descriptive and predictive statistical analyses were performed to estimate the frequency of categorical variables and their effect on CMR. Results: The findings indicated that around 80% of small-scale broiler farms lacked adequate biosecurity measures. Both on day 1 (p = 0.012) and on days 2–14 (p = 0.003), flocks with inadequate biosecurity had considerably higher median CMRs. Farms that were near the neighbourhood used wood shavings as bedding, offered tube well/shallow well or supply line water, maintained a brief empty period (≤5 days) before introducing new flocks and began using antibiotics on day 1 all had significantly higher CMR at both days 1 and 2–14. Conclusions: The findings point to the necessity of implementing stringent biosecurity measures in broiler production in locations where there is a shortage, which can lower the burden of arbitrary antibiotic usage and will lower total production costs due to crude mortality and management-related issues.