Explore the vast range of titles available.

Raising backyard chickens is an ever-growing hobby in the United States. These flocks can be a substrate for respiratory disease amplification and transmission to commercial facilities. Five hundred fifty-four chickens from 41 backyard flocks were sampled in this study. ELISA kits were used to detect antibodies against avian influenza (AI), infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bronchitis (IB), Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). All visited flock owners answered a biosecurity questionnaire that assessed biosecurity measures. The questionnaire revealed that backyard poultry owners lack simple biosecurity measures such as use of dedicated shoes, their chicken sources are unreliable, and few of them benefit from veterinary oversight. Only one flock had a clear vaccination history against ND and IB. ORT, ND, IB, MS, MG, and ILT were the most seroprevalent in backyard poultry flocks with 97% (41/42), 77.5% (31/40), 75% (30/40), 73% (31/42), 69% (29/42), and 45% (19/42), respectively. The vaccinated flock was not considered in these calculations. When examining the distance between backyard flocks and the nearest commercial poultry facility, ND and MG were significantly more likely to be found in backyard flocks close to (<4 miles) whereas ORT was significantly more likely in backyard chickens located far from (>4 miles) commercial poultry. Birds purchased directly from National Poultry Improvement Plan hatcheries showed a reduced ND, MG, and MS antibody prevalence. Wearing dedicated shoes decreased MS antibody-positive birds. Finally, history of wild bird contact had a clear effect on an increased seroprevalence of NDV and MG. Serological results suggest that backyard poultry flocks have the potential to serve as a reservoir or amplifier for poultry respiratory diseases. The information generated in this project should direct extension efforts toward emphasizing the importance of small flock biosecurity and chick acquisition sources.

As part of a 2 yr disease surveillance project of small poultry flocks, owners of birds submitted for postmortem examination to the Animal Health Laboratory were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to gather information on the characteristics of the flock and its environment, how the flock was managed, and biosecurity measures used. A total of 153 unique questionnaires were received. Personal consumption of meat or eggs was the most common reason for owning a small flock (69.3%). Almost all owners (97.4%) reported having chickens on their property, while 21.6% had waterfowl, 15.7% had turkeys, and 15.7% had game birds. Nearly 70% (69.9%) of the flocks had some degree of outdoor access. For those with indoor access, the most common bedding material provided was soft wood shavings (70.2%). Kitchen waste or leftovers were offered to 65.3% of flocks, and well water was the most common source of drinking water (80.6%). For flocks with indoor access, dedicated shoes and clothes were used when entering or cleaning the coop by fewer than half of owners, and shoes were rarely disinfected before or after contact with the flock. Most owners (93.8%) reported washing their hands after contact with their birds, although only 48.3% reported washing their hands before contact. Among owners who sourced birds from a hatchery, only 36.8% indicated that the birds had been vaccinated, and 21.1% were unsure if vaccines had been administered. Among owners using medication (60.5%), the use of antibiotics was common (60.9%). Overall, questionnaire responses describe a wide range of husbandry and biosecurity practices, often suboptimal, and point out the need for educational material for Ontario small flock owners.

Background Although keeping small poultry flocks is increasingly popular in Ontario, information on the antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric bacteria of such flocks is lacking. The current study was conducted on small poultry flocks in Ontario between October 2015 and September 2017, and samples were submitted on a voluntary basis to Ontario’s Animal Health Laboratory. From each submission, a pooled cecal sample was obtained from all the birds of the same species from the same flock and tested for the presence of two common enteric pathogens, E. coli and Salmonella. Three different isolates from each E. coli -positive sample and one isolate from each Salmonella -positive sample were selected and tested for susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials using a broth microdilution technique. Results A total of 433 fecal E. coli isolates (358 chicken, 27 turkey, 24 duck, and 24 game bird) and 5 Salmonella isolates (3 chicken, 1 turkey, and 1 duck) were recovered. One hundred and sixty-seven chicken, 5 turkey, 14 duck, and 15 game bird E. coli isolates were pan-susceptible. For E. coli , a moderate to high proportion of isolates were resistant to tetracycline (43% chicken, 81% turkey, 42% duck, and 38% game bird isolates), streptomycin (29% chicken, 37% turkey, and 33% game bird isolates), sulfonamides (17% chicken, 37% turkey, and 21% duck isolates), and ampicillin (16% chicken and 41% turkey isolates). Multidrug resistance was found in 37% of turkey, 20% of chicken, 13% of duck, and 8% of game bird E. coli isolates. Salmonella isolates were most frequently resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, and sulfonamides. Resistance to cephalosporins, carbapenems, macrolides, and quinolones was infrequent in both E. coli and Salmonella isolates. Cluster and correlation analyses identified streptomycin-tetracycline-sulfisoxazole-trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as the most common resistance pattern in chicken E. coli isolates. Turkey E. coli isolates compared to all the other poultry species had higher odds of resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin, and a higher multidrug resistance rate. Conclusions Escherichia coli isolates were frequently resistant to antimicrobials commonly used to treat poultry bacterial infections, which highlights the necessity of judicious antimicrobial use to limit the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria.

Background Poultry represents an important sector in animal production, with backyard flocks representing a huge majority, especially in the developing countries. In these countries, villagers raise poultry to meet household food demands and as additional sources of incomes. Backyard production methods imply low biosecurity measures and high risk of infectious diseases, such as Newcastle disease or zoonosis such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We reviewed literature on biosecurity practices for prevention of infectious diseases, and published recommendations for backyard poultry and assessed evidence of their impact and feasibility, particularly in developing countries. Documents were sourced from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) website, and from Pubmed and Google databases. Results A total of 62 peer-reviewed and non-referred documents were found, most of which were published recently (after 2004) and focused on HPAI/H5N1-related biosecurity measures (64%). Recommendations addressed measures for flock management, feed and water management, poultry trade and stock change, poultry health management and the risk to humans. Only one general guideline was found for backyard poultry-related biosecurity; the other documents were drawn up for specific developing settings and only engaged their authors (e.g. consultants). These national guidelines written by consultants generated recommendations regarding measures derived from the highest standards of commercial poultry production. Although biosecurity principles of isolation and containment are described in most documents, only a few documents were found on the impact of measures in family poultry settings and none gave any evidence of their feasibility and effectiveness for backyard poultry. Conclusions Given the persistent threat posed by HPAI/H5N1 to humans in developing countries, our findings highlight the importance of encouraging applied research toward identifying sustained and adapted biosecurity measures for smallholder poultry flocks in low-income countries.

This study is part of a 2 year disease surveillance project conducted to establish the prevalence of poultry and zoonotic pathogens, including Campylobacter spp., among small poultry flocks in Ontario, Canada. For each post-mortem submission to the Animal Health Laboratory, a pooled sample of cecal tissue was cultured for Campylobacter spp., and a husbandry and biosecurity questionnaire was completed by the flock owner (n = 153). Using both laboratory and questionnaire data, our objective was to investigate demographic, husbandry, and biosecurity factors associated with the presence of Campylobacter spp. in small flocks. Two multivariable logistic regression models were built. In the farm model, the odds of Campylobacter spp. were higher in turkeys, and when birds were housed in a mixed group with different species and/or types of birds. The odds were lower when antibiotics were used within the last 12 months, and when birds had at least some free-range access. The effect of pest control depended on the number of birds at risk. In the coop model, the odds of Campylobacter spp. were lower when owners wore dedicated clothing when entering the coop. These results can be used to limit the transmission of Campylobacter spp. from small poultry flocks to humans.

Domesticated poultry are susceptible to infectious and zoonotic diseases and can serve as a transmission source to other bird and human populations. In recent years, the number of noncommercial poultry has been on the rise in the United States. To evaluate potential risks of this growing population, a descriptive epidemiologic survey was conducted among Maryland backyard flocks. Owner and flock demographics were characterized as well as management practices such as husbandry, human-to-bird interaction, bird exposure risks, poultry health status, and biosecurity. Data from the 41 returned questionnaires indicated a median flock size of 38 birds (range, 3–901). Chickens accounted for 86.5% of the reported birds overall. Just over half of the owners (51.2%) kept chickens only, with the remaining backyard flocks consisting of chickens, other gallinaceous species, waterfowl, or a combination. Of flocks with multiple species, 70.0% of owners did not keep them separate. Almost two thirds of owners (61.0%) had kept poultry for ≤5 yr, with 44.0% of all flocks on free range. Over the past 2 yr, predation was the highest cause of specific mortality (57.1%) followed by disease (30.2%), unknown (8.7%), and injury (4.0%), and over half of owners (56.1%) reported signs of disease in their flock within the last 6 mo. Biosecurity practices were highly variable among flocks. Data from this study identified gaps in the disease prevention and biosecurity practices of backyard flocks. These results can be useful in developing educational extension and outreach programs as well as policies, in efforts to further mitigate the spread of diseases. Evaluación de las parvadas de traspatio en el estado de Maryland y de sus prácticas de bioseguridad. Las aves domésticas son susceptibles a las enfermedades infecciosas y zoonóticas y pueden servir como una fuente de transmisión a otras aves y a poblaciones humanas. En años recientes, el tamaño de la avicultura no comercial ha ido en aumento en los Estados Unidos. Para evaluar los riesgos potenciales de esta población en crecimiento, se llevó a cabo un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo en parvadas de traspatio de Maryland. La demografía de las parvadas y de los propietarios fue caracterizada así como las prácticas de manejo, tales como el manejo de crianza, la interacción entre aves y humanos, los riesgos de exposición de las aves, el estado de salud de las aves y su bioseguridad. Los datos de los 41 cuestionarios indicaron un tamaño de parvada promedio de 38 aves (rango, de tres a 901 aves). Los pollos representaron el 86.5% de las aves reportadas en general. Un poco más de la mitad de los propietarios (51.2%) mantuvo pollos solamente, mientras que las parvadas restantes consistieron de pollos, de otras especies de gallináceas, aves acuáticas, y sus combinaciones. De las parvadas con múltiples especies, el 70.0% de los propietarios no mantuvieron las diferentes especies alojadas por separado. Casi dos tercios de los propietarios (61.0%) habían mantenido aves de corral por más de cinco años, con un 44.0% de las parvadas mantenidas en pastoreo. En los dos últimos años, la depredación fue la mayor causa de mortalidad específica (57.1%) seguida por enfermedades (30.2%), por causas no determinadas (8.7%) y por lesiones (4.0%), y más de la mitad de los propietarios (56.1%) informaron la presencia de signos de enfermedad en sus parvadas en los últimos seis meses. Las prácticas de bioseguridad fueron muy variables entre las parvadas. Los datos de este estudio identificaron deficiencias en la prevención de enfermedades y en las prácticas de bioseguridad en las parvadas de traspatio. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles para el desarrollo de programas educativos y de extensión, así como para las políticas y esfuerzos para disminuir la diseminación de las enfermedades.

Backyard gallinaceous bird flocks may play an important role in the spread of infectious diseases within poultry populations as well as the transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans. An epidemiologic characterization was conducted of Colorado backyard flocks to gather information on general flock characteristics, human movement of birds, human-bird interaction, biosecurity practices, and flock health. Our results suggest that backyard poultry flocks in Colorado are small-sized flocks (68.6% of flocks had <50 birds); consist primarily of layer chickens (85.49% of flocks), show chickens (32.18% of flocks), and waterfowl (34.07% of flocks); and are primarily owned for food (meat or egg) production for the family (86.44%) or as pet or hobby birds (42.27%). The backyard flock environment may promote bird-to-bird transmission as well as bird-to-human transmission of infectious disease. Birds are primarily housed with free access to the outside (96.85%), and many are moved from the home premises (46.06% within 1 yr). Human contact with backyard flocks is high, biosecurity practices are minimal, and bird health is negatively impacted by increased movement events. Increased knowledge of backyard bird characteristics and associated management practices can provide guidelines for the development of measures to decrease disease transmission between bird populations, decrease disease transmission from birds to humans, and increase the overall health of backyard birds. Caracterización epidemiológica de las parvadas de aves de traspatio en el Estado de Colorado. Las aves gallinacéas de traspatio pueden jugar un papel importante en la propagación de enfermedades infecciosas en las poblaciones de aves comerciales, así como la transmisión de enfermedades zoonóticas a los seres humanos. En el Estado de Colorado se realizó una caracterización epidemiológica de las parvadas de traspatio para reunir información sobre las características generales de las parvadas, el movimiento de aves por los humanos, la interacción entre los humanos y las aves, las prácticas de bioseguridad y salud de la parvada. Los resultados sugieren que las aves de traspatio en Colorado son de tamaño pequeño (el 68.6% de las parvadas tenían menos de 50 aves), que consisten principalmente en gallinas ponedoras (85.49% de las parvadas), pollos de ornato (32.18% de los rebaños) y aves acuáticas (34.07% de las parvadas), y tienen como finalidad la producción de alimentos (carne o huevo) de forma familiar (86.44%) o como aves de compañía o deportivas (42.27%). El medio ambiente de las parvadas de traspatio puede promover la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosa entre las aves, así como la transmisión de las aves a los humanos. Las aves son alojadas con libre acceso al exterior (96.85%), y muchas son trasladadas de su local original (46.06% dentro un año). También es elevado el contacto entre los humanos con las aves de traspatio, las prácticas de bioseguridad son mínimas, y la salud de las aves se ve afectada negativamente por el aumento de su movilización. Un mayor conocimiento de las características de las aves de traspatio y las prácticas de manejo asociadas pueden proporcionar las pautas para el desarrollo de medidas para reducir la transmisión de enfermedades entre las poblaciones de aves, reducir la transmisión de enfermedades de las aves a los seres humanos y aumentar la salud general de las aves de traspatio.

Several epidemiologic surveillance studies have implicated backyard flocks as a reservoir for poultry diseases; however, much debate still exists over the risk these small flocks pose. To evaluate this concern, the prevalence of Newcastle disease (ND), infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and Salmonella was determined in 39 Maryland backyard flocks. Serum, tracheal, and cloacal swabs were randomly collected from 262 birds throughout nine counties in Maryland. Through PCR and ELISA analysis, disease prevalence and seroprevalence were determined in flocks, respectively, for the following: ND (0%, 23%); ILT (26%, 77%); MG (3%, 13%); and Salmonella (0%, not done). Vaccine status could not be accurately confirmed. Premise positives were further differentiated and identified by partial nucleotide sequencing. Screening of the 10 ILT premise positives showed that most were live attenuated vaccines: eight matched a tissue culture origin vaccine, one matched a chicken embryo origin (CEO) vaccine, and one was CEO related. The single MG-positive flock, also positive for the CEO-related sequence, was identified as the infectious S6 strain. The prevalence rates for these economically important poultry diseases ranged from none to relatively low, with the vast majority of sampled flocks presenting no clinical signs. Prevalencia y diferenciación de las enfermedades en aves de traspatio de Maryland. Varios estudios de vigilancia epidemiológica han implicado a las parvadas de traspatio como reservorio de enfermedades para la avicultura, sin embargo, aún existe un gran debate sobre el riesgo que ofrecen estas pequeñas parvadas. Para evaluar esta preocupación, se determinó la prevalencia de la enfermedad de Newcastle (ND), de la laringotraqueitis infecciosa (ILT), de Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) y de Salmonella en 39 parvadas de traspatio en el estado de Maryland. Se recolectaron muestras de suero, hisopos de tráquea y cloaca de manera aleatoria de 262 aves a lo largo de nueve condados en Maryland. A través del análisis de PCR y de ELISA, se determinaron la prevalencia y la seroprevalencia, respectivamente de las enfermedades en las parvadas, y resultaron como a continuación se describe: enfermedad de Newcastle (0%, 23%); laringotraqueítis infecciosa (26%, 77%); M. gallisepticum (3%, 13%); y Salmonella (0%, no llevada a cabo). El estado de las vacunaciones no se pudo confirmar con precisión. Las parvadas positivas se analizaron más detalladamente y se identificaron mediante secuenciación parcial de nucleótidos. El muestreo de 10 parvadas positivas contra laringotraqueítis mostró que la mayoría fueron vacunas vivas atenuadas: ocho coincidían con una vacuna de origen en cultivo de tejidos, una coincidió con una vacuna con origen en embrión de pollo (CEO), y una estaba relacionada con la vacuna CEO. La única parvada positiva a M. gallisepticum , también fue positiva para la secuencia relacionada con la vacuna CEO, y fue identificada como la cepa infecciosa S6. Las tasas de prevalencia para estas enfermedades de importancia económica en la avicultura tuvieron un rango de cero a relativamente baja, y la gran mayoría de las parvadas de la muestra no presentaban signos clínicos.

After the 1971–1973 outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease (END) in California, a free-of-charge diagnostic submission program was created for backyard poultry flocks. This program was implemented to improve disease surveillance in small poultry flocks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of free-of-charge pathology submissions to the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratories during the END outbreak in 2002–2003. Cases and controls were selected from within a 100-mile (161-km) radius of each of three laboratories, and their geographic distributions were evaluated. Global clustering of Cases was significant around all three laboratories, with mixed results at the local clustering level and the only significant clustering at the focal level around the Davis laboratory with an observed to expected ratio of approximately 5. The area of influence for all three laboratories was about 20 miles (32 km). The significant clustering of Cases around the laboratories indicates that more public information about the free-of-charge program could result in coverage of a larger portion of the population; however, the value of the information resulting from increased sampling should be considered relative to the additional cost of obtaining it.

The most common reason for backyard flock owners to seek assistance on egg diagnostics is the egg's failure to hatch to a viable chick. Another reason could be that the egg appears unaesthetic and is deemed inedible by the flock owner. The egg can fail to hatch as a result of internal factors, such as poor hen nutrition, or external factors, such as incorrect incubation temperature and humidity. In the process of forming an egg, the egg spends approximately 15–30 minutes in the infundibulum, a short period of time to synthesize and incorporate a significant number of layers. The fully formed chicken egg consists of four main parts: Germinal disc, yolk, albumen with chalaza, and shell. If potentially fertile eggs are laid, the next step is to incubate the eggs. As the chick develops in the egg, development can be monitored by using the process known as candling.