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Questionnaire study and postmortem findings in backyard chicken flocks in Finland
Leena Pohjola1, Laila Rossow2, Anita Huovilainen3
1Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Leissantie 43, FI-04920, Saarentaus, Finland. leena.pohjola@helsinki.fi.
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
|January 23, 2015
Summary
Backyard chicken flocks in Finland are generally healthy with low mortality, though biosecurity is often lacking. Marek's disease and colibacillosis were the most common causes of death in backyard poultry.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Backyard poultry keeping is increasingly popular, yet its health status remains under-documented.
- This study investigates health management and population characteristics of Finnish backyard poultry flocks.
- Data was gathered via questionnaires and necropsy records from the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize backyard poultry populations in Finland.
- To examine health management practices in these flocks.
- To identify common causes of mortality in backyard chickens.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey of 376 backyard poultry flock owners.
- Retrospective analysis of 11 years of necropsy data (2000-2011) from Evira.
- Focus on non-commercial flocks with fewer than 500 birds.
Main Results:
- Finnish backyard flocks are typically small (<50 birds) and primarily consist of chickens.
- Flocks reported good health, low mortality, and infrequent vaccination; standard biosecurity was not common.
- Marek's disease (27%) and colibacillosis (17%) were the leading causes of mortality identified through necropsy.
Conclusions:
- This is the first report detailing backyard chicken flock characteristics and management in Finland.
- Low risk to commercial poultry is suggested due to infrequent contact and farm isolation.
- Findings highlight the need for improved biosecurity in backyard poultry to mitigate disease risks.
