Backyard poultry flocks in France: A diversity of owners and biosecurity practices

A scoping review of studies reporting biosecurity practices in small and backyard farms raising livestock or poultry in developed countries, 2000-2022

Over the past two decades, there have been growing concerns around small and backyard farms in developed countries due to the potential risk they pose in introducing and spreading infectious disease agents. Ensuring high levels of biosecurity on these farms, through the maintenance of practices that prevent the introduction and transmission of disease agents, is essential in mitigating this risk. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a scoping review, the practices considered in articles reporting biosecurity in small and backyard farms raising livestock or poultry in developed countries, and how their implementation was examined. Eligibility criteria for inclusion of studies in this scoping review were based on population (small, hobby or backyard farms raising livestock or poultry), geographical location (developed countries), outcome (reported the implementation of biosecurity practices at the farm-level), study type (peer-reviewed primary research articles), and publication year (2000-2022). The databases searched included CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Scopus, AGRIS, and AGRICOLA. Two independent researchers screened abstracts and titles, and subsequently full texts for inclusion of studies. The data extracted from the full texts consisted of: (1) publication year; (2) journal; (3) definitions of "small," "backyard," and "hobby" used by authors; (4) study design and number of participants; (5) biosecurity practices assessed; (6) livestock and poultry species raised; and (7) geographical location. A total of 46 articles met the inclusion criteria. Almost all the included articles involved a questionnaire-based study (n = 44), and a majority of articles focused on poultry (n = 27) or swine (n = 11). Most of the articles were published after 2010 (n = 37). Among the 21 categories of biosecurity practices included, the most frequently reported were the introduction of new animals, contact with other domestic animals, measures related to personnel, and wildlife contact. The least frequently reported categories of biosecurity measures were the presence of a perimeter fence, vehicles and parking, contact with animals from other farms, and isolation of sick animals. RESULTS: from this scoping review show an extensive variation between articles, including differences in the number of participants, biosecurity practices examined, practices considered "biosecurity" per authors' definition, measurement scale for reporting biosecurity practices, and definitions of "small," "backyard," and "hobby" used by the authors. These findings highlight the need to develop standardized definitions and adaptable biosecurity checklists for practices implemented in small and backyard farms, which would allow for better comparisons across regions and countries for future research.

Survey of the husbandry and biosecurity practices of backyard chicken keepers in the UK

BACKGROUND

This survey investigated the housing, feeding, health and welfare of backyard chickens kept in the UK.

METHODS

Information was collected via an online questionnaire active from May to July 2021. The survey asked about flock demographics, housing, diet, enrichment provision, if the flock was registered with the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) and the reason, preventative health care and biosecurity, and the incidence and methods of euthanasia.

RESULTS

The majority of flocks (48.8%) consisted of one to five birds, were located in rural areas (58%) and were kept as pets (77%) and/or for eggs (71.6%). Enrichment was provided by 78.4% of keepers. Most respondents (69%) were aware of the Animal Plant and Health Agency poultry registration scheme, with 32.8% being registered with the scheme. Kitchen scraps were fed by 29% of keepers. Veterinary services were used by 63.6% of keepers, although 4% said they struggled to find a veterinarian willing to treat backyard poultry. New additions to the flock were isolated by 70.2% of keepers.

LIMITATIONS

The survey was distributed through poultry-specific Facebook groups and via chicken rescue centres, so it is not a truly random sample of backyard chicken keepers. All survey-based studies have an inherent element of subjectivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The survey identified biosecurity, humane euthanasia training, veterinary training in backyard poultry medicine, and enrichment provision as areas where improvements can be made to improve poultry health and welfare and reduce the risks of infectious disease transmission.

From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care

Non-commercial chickens may be the third most numerous pets in Western countries. Yet, to date, there is limited research into their welfare or the care-taking practices and attitudes of their guardians. Using a quantitative questionnaire, this study investigated non-commercial chicken owners' care-taking practices, attitudes, and relationship types with their chickens. Additionally, the study investigated barriers to optimizing non-commercial chicken welfare. Specific questions were asked regarding niche care-taking practices, including the use of Suprelorin® implants. With 2000+ responses, this study found variable care-taking practices, yet largely positive attitudes towards chickens, and a "personal" (though not "close personal") owner-chicken relationship, as defined by the Owner-Bird Relationship Scale. The Chicken Attitude Scale, Owner-Bird Relationship Scale, and Care Series scores were found to be correlated with each other, with coefficients ranging from 0.176 to 0.543 (p < 0.001). "Preventing commercial chickens from going to slaughter" was a key motive for chicken care by 56.1% of respondents, with 69.6% of respondents stating they cared for ex-commercial chickens. This study found a higher prevalence of reported poor health conditions and number of deaths relative to prior studies, and egg yolk peritonitis emerged as a leading health condition and cause of death. Moreover, 68.0% had not heard of Suprelorin® implants, and only 6.3% used implants. Most (76.4%) chicken carers followed an omnivorous diet that includes chicken meat/eggs. The results reinforced previous findings concerning a need for more avian-specialist, locally available, and affordable veterinary care for chickens. Research into Suprelorin® implants, rooster-specific care, and tailored requirements of caring for ex-commercial chickens is recommended.

Cross-sectional survey of barriers and opportunities for engaging backyard poultry producers and veterinarians in addressing poultry health

AIMS

To assess the current level of engagement between backyard poultry keepers and veterinarians in New Zealand; to understand the opportunities and barriers for improving access to poultry health care; and to gauge the interest of backyard poultry keepers in participating in a voluntary national poultry health information system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Backyard poultry were defined as any bird species kept for non-commercial purposes. Separate cross-sectional surveys were administered to backyard poultry keepers and veterinarians in New Zealand over 12-week periods starting 22 March 2021 and 03 May 2021 respectively. The veterinarian survey was advertised in the monthly update e-mail from the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, while the survey for backyard poultry keepers was advertised on various online platforms that focus on raising backyard poultry. Results for quantitative variables were reported as basic descriptive statistics, while qualitative free-text responses from open-ended questions were explored using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 125 backyard poultry keepers and 35 veterinarians completed the survey. Almost half (56/125; 44.8%) of backyard poultry keepers reported that they had never taken their birds to a veterinarian, with common reasons being difficulty finding a veterinarian, cost of treatment, and perceptions that most visits result in the bird being euthanised. The majority (113/125; 90.4%) of backyard poultry keepers reported that a general internet search was their primary source for poultry health advice. However, it remains unclear if owners were satisfied with the advice found online, as many cited that having access to reliable health information would be an incentive for registering with a poultry health information system. Of the veterinarian responses, 29/35 (82.9%) reported treating an increasing number of poultry in the last 5 years, although many (27/35; 77.1%) suggested they would be hesitant to increase their poultry caseload due to concerns over their lack of knowledge and confidence in poultry medicine; a lack of clinic resources to treat poultry; concerns over the cost-effectiveness of treatments; and a general feeling of helplessness when treating poultry, with most consultations being for end-stage disease and euthanasia.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study highlight opportunities for increased engagement between backyard poultry keepers and veterinarians, including making available accurate poultry health information and providing veterinarians with improved training in poultry medicine. The results also support the development of a poultry health information system in New Zealand to further enhance health and welfare in backyard poultry populations.

Salmonella enterica frequency in backyard chickens in Vermont and biosecurity knowledge and practices of owners

The popularity of backyard chickens has been growing steadily over the past 10 years, with Covid-19 stay at home orders in 2020 yielding an added boost in popularity. Concurrently, cases of salmonellosis from live poultry exposure have also risen. Previous research on backyard chicken owners has focused primarily on urban chicken owners, which may have differing knowledge and biosecurity habits from rural backyard chicken owners. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of S. enterica in rural and urban flocks of chickens in the state of Vermont and to determine what attitudes toward and knowledge about S. enterica owners had, as well as what biosecurity practices they used. We conducted two surveys in Vermont between 2019–2022; a pilot study tied to sampling for Salmonella enterica in backyard chicken flocks from 2019–2021 and a statewide study in 2022 to determine the prevalence of backyard chickens in Vermont and obtain representative survey data from backyard chicken owners. We found (i) overall, 19% (8/42) backyard chicken flocks from 2019–2021 had S. enterica, but S. enterica rates varied substantially by year; (ii) backyard chicken owners were wealthier and more educated than the average Vermonter and generally lived in rural areas; (iii) participants in the statewide survey had much lower uptake of good biosecurity habits compared to the pilot survey; (iv) despite increased messaging about backyard chicken-associated salmonellosis and good biosecurity measures over the past several years, uptake of biosecurity measures is inconsistent, and rates of unsafe practices such as kissing or cuddling chickens have increased in Vermont. Overall, the data indicate the need for improved messaging on biosecurity and risks associated with backyard chickens