Backyard poultry: exploring non-intensive production systems

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Animal Husbandry
• Disease Ecology

Background:

• Backyard poultry keeping has evolved beyond food production, with owners now raising birds for companionship and personal enjoyment.
• Limited data exists on backyard flock demographics, husbandry practices, and welfare due to private ownership and lack of commercialization.
• This shift necessitates a closer examination of health and safety implications associated with backyard poultry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize backyard poultry systems and identify prevalent infectious diseases.
• To assess the zoonotic risks posed to farmers and consumers of backyard poultry products.
• To highlight the critical need for enhanced biosecurity measures and owner education in this sector.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes existing knowledge on backyard poultry production systems, disease prevalence, and zoonotic potential.
• It analyzes factors influencing disease transmission, including breed, feeding, and management practices.
• The study examines the differences between intensive, sub-intensive, and extensive poultry farming systems.

Main Results:

• Common pathogens in backyard poultry include bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Salmonella), parasites, and viruses (e.g., Avian influenza, Newcastle disease).
• Significant zoonotic risks are associated with Avian influenza, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli.
• Backyard poultry farming is characterized by the lowest biosecurity standards compared to commercial operations.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need to improve biosecurity standards and owner education in the backyard poultry sector.
• Addressing the legal status of backyard poultry and promoting veterinary care are crucial for disease control.
• Implementing robust biosecurity measures is essential to mitigate infectious disease and zoonotic risks.