Evaluation of Practiced Biosecurity Measures in Selected Broiler Farms across Kabul Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

Biosecurity is an important tool to exclude potential pathogens from the poultry farms and to maintain the health, welfare and productivity of the stocks. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the biosecurity measures practiced in 50 selected broiler farms in four districts of Kabul province of Afghanistan. Data were collected by structured interview using a pre-designed questionnaire. This study revealed that all of the studied farms practiced the biosecurity measures from medium to the high levels, but these levels were not statistically significant based on the study districts and farms size (p>0.05). Disinfection of the farms at the end of each production cycle (100%) along with the disinfection of boots (86%) and vehicle (76%) and routine vaccines administrations (98%) were the most common practiced internal biosecurity measures, while inappropriate farm location, insufficient pest control and improper dead bird disposal were the main non-practiced external biosecurity measures in the surveyed farms. Hence, it is highly recommended to the animal health and production authorities to develop and implement specific biosecurity guidelines to the national level using regional and international manuals.