Scoring of management and biosecurity in poultry farms Tommy Van Limbergen, Dominiek Maes, Marlijn Klinkenberg Unit Porcine Health Management Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Ghent University Belgium
Outline of presentation Introduction M&M: How to score biosecurity and management? Results Prohealth biosecurity scoring: broiler farms and laying hen farms Conclusion
How do we measure animal health? On farms, we mostly do not measure animal health, but: level of management and biosecurity (absence of) disease Distinction: «infection» «disease» Different levels: animal, group, farm, region, country
Importance of scoring & improving animal health Better production parameters and animal health Less zoonoses and antimicrobial use More animal welfare More work satisfaction (and motivation!) of poultry producer, better image for poultry sector
Evolution of key performance parameters in 7 EU-countries 2011-'13 Van Limbergen et al. 2016 380 360 European Production Index (EPI) 1,95 1,9 1,85 Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) 340 320 1,8 1,75 1,7 300 280 1,65 1,6 1,55 260 2011 2012 2013 1,5 1,45 2011 2012 2013
Global antimicrobial consumption in livestock in milligrams per 10 km2 milligrams per PCU (Van Boeckel et al., 2015) 6
What about the importance of biosecurity? Poultry in EU is mainly raised in intensive conditions with large numbers of animals housed on same site Large number of animal movements within/between countries Biosecurity plans help to manage the risk of introducing new pathogens on poultry farms (E.g. AI)
Outline of presentation Introduction M&M: How to score biosecurity and management? Results Prohealth biosecurity scoring: broiler and laying hen farms Conclusion
How to score biosecurity and management on poultry farms? Webbased tool: Based on: Scientific literature Poultry Experts opinion In-house experience FREE ACCESS => www.fp7-prohealth.eu 2 versions: broilers and laying hens
How to score biosecurity and management on poultry farms? Webbased tool: Takes only +/- 20 minutes Full multiple choice (easy) Instant 2 page report! => clear advices: How to improve!!!
How to score biosecurity and management on poultry farms? Webbased tool: Own results (red) Database average (green) Create a log in! => Do it again and check your improvements!!!
1) Purchase of DOC 5) Entrance 2) Depopulation External biosecurity and management 6) Material supply 3) Feed and water 7) Infrastructure / vectors 4)Dead animals / used litter 8) Farm location
1) Disease management 2) Cleaning and disinfection Internal biosecurity and management 3) Measurements between houses
How to score biosecurity and management on poultry farms? Calculation of Total biosecurity and management: 70 % external biosecurity + management 30 % internal biosecurity + management All categories are weighted. Example Belgian broiler farm =>
How to score biosecurity and management on poultry farms?
How to score biosecurity and management on poultry farms? Laying hens: Suitable for all types of housing system! Web-based tool specialy designed for PROHEALTH Same principle as broilers tool FREE ACCESS => www.fp7-prohealth.eu
Outline of presentation Introduction M&M: How to score biosecurity and management? Results PROHEALTH biosecurity scoring: broiler farms and laying hen farms Conclusion
Biosecurity and management in laying hen farms
Biosecurity and management in laying hen farms Conclusions: Internal >>>> external High variation within countries => room for improvement! Best category: Egg management 87.9% Worst category: Entrance of visitors and personnel 40.6% = easy to improve!!!!
Biosecurity and management in broiler farms
Biosecurity in broiler farms Conclusions: Internal >>>> external Larger farms => lower internal biosecurity and management Best category: Disease management 87.9% Worst category: Entrance of visitors and personnel 55.1% = easy to improve!!!!
Outline of presentation Introduction M&M: How to score biosecurity and management? Results Prohealth biosecurity scoring: broiler farms and laying hen farms Conclusion
Overall conclusions: Web-based tool = good instrument to evaluate biosecurity! - Helps to identify weak points! - Helps to design improvement-strategies! - Can be part of veterinary guidance program! Main outcome investigation biosecurity and management in poultry: Improve the entrance of visitors and personnel (cfr. Avian influenza)
Future work: To identify RISK and PROTECTIVE factors related to production diseases! 50 farms / country Tailor-made questionnaires => to cope with different aspects of production Housing (e.g.: type of ventilation) Feed and water ( e.g.: feeding space per bird) Production management (e.g.: type of lighting schedule) To be delivered => november 2017!!! Follow us: subscribe our newsletter / twitter!!!! www.fp7-prohealth.eu
Thank you for your attention!