Intervention of Bio-Security in Broiler Farming of Bangladesh

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the productive performances & profitability and meat quality of broiler farming carried out with and without bio-security management interventions during winter and summer in different locations of Bangladesh. In the first step, a survey study was carried out to assess the broiler production performances reared in different locations; Pabna, Rajshahi and Kishorgonj having 30 broiler farmers in each. Data were collected from a total of 90 broiler farmers by direct interviewing using a semi-structured questionnaire during January 13 to June 2014. Socio-economic conditions of small & medium scale broiler farmers were considered, the factors influencing profitability were analyzed and constraints to broiler farming at rural households were identified. Data were edited and categorized as per farm sizes, such as 23% farmers of 500 broilers, 20% of 600, 16% of 700, 17% of 800, 14% of 900 and 11% farmers of 1000 broilers. The data were processed using mean, percentage and master tabulation sheet. Regression models were used to determine the relationship between some socio economic factors and broiler production performances considering net return. Broiler production performances were positively related with education, farm size, training, land size and age of the farmers and significant differences of education & farm size (P<0.01), training & land size (P<0.05) and age (P<0.001) were found. On the other hand, in case of farmer’s annual income had no significant relationship with the broiler performance. In terms of production performance, feed conversion efficiency was improved trends with an increasing in the size of the farms and significant difference (P<0.01) was found among the farm sizes. The study also focuses on broiler production constraints and production systems for the improvement of broilers farming in Bangladesh. Lacking of quality chicks was the major constraint appeared to be a common complaint to the farmers. Fluctuating price of chicks & marketable live broiler, low price of finished broiler, risk of diseases including Avian Influenza (AI), bio-security of the farm and high feed cost ranked by turns second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. The present study revealed that the socio-economic status of the broiler farmers affect broiler production as well as profitability. In the second step, a survey study was undertaken to determine the productive and economic performances of broiler farming with or without bio-security management conditions during summer season reared in different locations; Pabna, Rajshahi and Kishoregonj district of Bangladesh. Total 41farms were selected into three locations considering bio and non-biosecured managed farms of which 14 in Rajshahi, 14 in Pabna and 13 in Kishoregonj. Data were collected from a total of 41 broiler farms by using semi structured questionnaire. Categories of farm (bio-secured & non bio-secured) were identified by using measures of bio-security standard which were based on marks. As per bio-security standard of broiler farm, the farms those got above 60 marks treated as bio-secured farms and below 60 marks treated as non-biosecured farms (out of 100 marks). Of the 41 farms, 27%, 21%, 15%, 15%, 12% and 10% farms have 500,600,700,800 900 and 1000 broilers respectively. During summer, a significant difference was found on marketable body weight and FCR among the farm sizes. FCR was better trend with increasing farm sizes. Overall FCR was improved in bio-secured managed farm than those of non bio-secured managed farm. Results indicated that farm category and farm size had clear impact on broiler productivity. The highest BCR was found in 1000 farm sizes (1.30) and the lowest was in 500 farm sizes (1.01). The lowest cost of broiler production was found when bio-security management was practiced. Therefore, significantly higher BCR value was found in bio-secured managed farms (1.17) than those of non bio-secured managed farms (1.03). In the third step, a total of 49 farms were selected into three locations of which 16 in Rajshahi, 16 in Pabna and 17 in Kishorgonj. Data were collected from a total 49 broiler farms by using same questionnaire in winter season with considering bio-secured and nonbiosecured managed farms to determine the production and economic performances of broiler farming. Of the 49 farms, 20% farms had 500 broilers, 19% had 600, 16% had 700, 18% had 800, 14% had 900 and 13% farms had 1000 broilers. In case of productive performances, body weight and FCR showed better trend as the farm size increased and significant differences were found among the farm sizes. When farms of similar sizes were maintained with bio-secured conditions, overall, FCR tended to better than in non-biosecured managed farm. The highest BCR was found in largest farm (1.38) and very poor BCR was found in smallest farm (1.08). BCR was found higher trends as the farm size increased. Moreover, higher BCR value (1.25) was observed in bio-secured managed farm than those of non-biosecured managed farm (1.09). The cost return analyses indicated that broiler farms size may consider at least 700 birds to have profitability. Growth performances were found higher to winter in comparison with summer. Profitability also was found to be higher in winter compared with summer season. Excessive colds, lack of knowledge on disease outbreak, poor management due to insufficient technical knowledge of the farmers, high temperature, frequent power failure in rural areas, improper marketing facilities, risk of diseases and lack of biosecurity of the farm were the major constraints of broiler farming in both seasons. In the fourth step, a study was undertaken to determine the quality of meat through proximate analysis of broiler farming carried out with and without bio-security management intervention in Rajshai, Pabna and Kishorgonj districts of Bangladesh. A total of 36 broiler meat samples were collected from broiler farmers with considering bio-secured & non bio-secured managed broiler farms during summer and winter between June, 13 to December’14 and having 12 meat samples in each location. No significant differences were found in moisture, crude protein, ash, crude fiber and either extracts in both seasons among the broiler farm locations. However, between of the two management intervention (bio and non-biosecured farm) during summer and winter seasons had a significant effect on proximate parameters. CP, moisture, Ash, EE and CF were found higher in bio-secured managed farm in comparison with non-biosecured managed farm in both seasons. Average proximate parameters of broiler meat samples in both seasons showed the following composition: moisture 76.09%, CP 20.07%, Ash 1.07%, CF 0 .033% and EE 1.05% respectively considering as fresh basis. Overall relatively better meat quality was found in bio-secured managed farms compared to non -biosecured managed farms. Moreover, between the two seasons, in terms of meat quality, CP, Ash and EE were found higher in winter season in comparison with summer season. It was concluded that satisfactory productive performances and improve meat quality is achievable and profitability may be enhanced from small and medium scale broiler farming at rural households of the farmers if bio-security management intervention is made. Finally, some suggestions and recommendations were made to ensure productivity and profitability of small and medium scale commercial broiler farming in Bangladesh.