Biosecurity Status of Poultry Farms in Khartoum State, Sudan

This study was conducted between Dec 2015 and Jan 2018 during dry and wet seasons in two consecutive years with the objective of evaluating the disposal of manure and dead birds in poultry farms located in Khartoum State, Sudan. Seventy four commercial poultry farms (47 broilers and 27 layers) of different production systems (closed, semi closed and open systems) and management systems (cage and floor) were investigated. Data were collected by on farm visits during which interviews, using questionnaires, with the owners and veterinarians of the farms were done. A scoring system which was separated into 2 main categories, external and internal biosecurity, and comprised questions on different dead birds and manure disposal measures was initiated. Based upon the different weights given according to measures based on risk to each biosecurity measure and (sub) category, a final weight and risk-based score was calculated. The study revealed that only 7 (9.46%) farms disposed their manure and dead birds properly using incineration. Fifty seven farms (77.03%) disposed their manure and dead birds improperly, 8 (10.81%) used burial method and 2 (2.70%) threw dead birds over the fence. The study also showed that final removal methods of dead birds and manure were highly affected by the size of the farm, such as the removal of manure through the dirty area (P-value =.001), separate carcass storage (P-value =.007), and collection of carcasses by the municipality trucks without entering the farm (P-value =.044). The methods of final removal of dead birds and manure were also affected by production system, such as manure being removed through the dirty area (P-value =.003) and whether carcass storage regularly cleaned

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