Authors :
Abdul Rahman Sesay
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3omJ9ZS
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6888799
Abstract :
Evaluation of the biosecurity of layer farms is
essential for successfully controlling and preventing
poultry diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate
the biosecurity of layer farms in Sierra Leone using the
Biocheck. UGent scoring system. This online biosecurity
evaluation tool assesses the farm's biosecurity compliance.
The data was collected from 38 layer farms in four
provinces and one area in the country. The data were
encoded online to provide ratings for each farm's
biosecurity. The online algorithm decoded and provided
individual farm biosecurity scores across all categories and
subcategories. The study found that the overall average
biosecurity of the layer farms was (67%). The average
external and internal biosecurity scores for layer farms are
(64%) and (70%), respectively. The North West province
has the highest score of total average biosecurity at (73%),
followed by the Southern province at (71%). The
subcategories with the highest external biosecurity scores
were farm location (92%), material supply (91%),
purchase of laying hens (84%), infrastructure and
biological vector (69%), and purchase of day-old chicks
(66%), while the category with the lowest external
biosecurity score were visitors and farmworkers, removal
of manure and carcasses, feed and water, and
depopulation and transportation of hens. The internal
biosecurity subcategories washing and disinfection (87%)
and egg management (63%) obtained the highest average
score, while disease management and material and
measure between compartments received a lower score. To
manage and prevent poultry diseases on layer farms, the
biosecurity subcategories that received the lowest scores
should be improved. The nation's relevant institutions
should monitor and enforce biosecurity compliance in
layer farms.
Keywords :
Biocheck. Ugent, Biosecurity Scoring Tool, External Biosecurity, Internal Biosecurity, Layer Farm.
Evaluation of the biosecurity of layer farms is
essential for successfully controlling and preventing
poultry diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate
the biosecurity of layer farms in Sierra Leone using the
Biocheck. UGent scoring system. This online biosecurity
evaluation tool assesses the farm's biosecurity compliance.
The data was collected from 38 layer farms in four
provinces and one area in the country. The data were
encoded online to provide ratings for each farm's
biosecurity. The online algorithm decoded and provided
individual farm biosecurity scores across all categories and
subcategories. The study found that the overall average
biosecurity of the layer farms was (67%). The average
external and internal biosecurity scores for layer farms are
(64%) and (70%), respectively. The North West province
has the highest score of total average biosecurity at (73%),
followed by the Southern province at (71%). The
subcategories with the highest external biosecurity scores
were farm location (92%), material supply (91%),
purchase of laying hens (84%), infrastructure and
biological vector (69%), and purchase of day-old chicks
(66%), while the category with the lowest external
biosecurity score were visitors and farmworkers, removal
of manure and carcasses, feed and water, and
depopulation and transportation of hens. The internal
biosecurity subcategories washing and disinfection (87%)
and egg management (63%) obtained the highest average
score, while disease management and material and
measure between compartments received a lower score. To
manage and prevent poultry diseases on layer farms, the
biosecurity subcategories that received the lowest scores
should be improved. The nation's relevant institutions
should monitor and enforce biosecurity compliance in
layer farms.
Keywords :
Biocheck. Ugent, Biosecurity Scoring Tool, External Biosecurity, Internal Biosecurity, Layer Farm.
