Demographic Characteristics and Husbandry and Biosecurity Practices of Small Poultry Flocks in Ontario, Canada.

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.

Artículo Regular­Características demográficas y prácticas de cría y bioseguridad de pequeñas parvadas de aves de corral en Ontario, Canadá. Como parte de un proyecto de vigilancia de enfermedades de dos años de pequeñas parvadas avícolas, se solicitó a los propietarios de aves remitidaspara exámenes post mortem en el Laboratorio de Sanidad Animal que completaran un cuestionario diseñado para recopilar información sobre las características de la parvada y su entorno, cómo se manejó la parva y se que medidas de bioseguridad fueron usadas. Se recibieron un total de 153 cuestionarios únicos. El consumo personal de carne o huevo fue la razón más común para tener una parvada pequeña (69.3%). Casi todos los propietarios (97.4%) informaron tener pollos en su propiedad, mientras que el 21.6% tenía aves acuáticas, el 15.7% tenía pavos y el 15.7% tenía aves para caza. Casi el 70% (69.9%) de las parvadas tenían algún grado de acceso al aire libre. Para aquellos con acceso interior, el material de cama más común proporcionado fue viruta de madera blanda (70.2%). Al 65.3% de las parvadas se le ofrecieron desperdicios de cocina o sobras y el agua de pozo fue la fuente más común de agua potable (80.6%). En el caso de las parvadas con acceso al interior, menos de la mitad de los propietarios utilizaron zapatos y ropa especiales para entrar o limpiar los alojamientos y los zapatos rara vez se desinfectaban antes o después del contacto con la parvada. La mayoría de los propietarios (93.8%) informaron lavarse las manos después del contacto con sus aves, aunque solo el 48.3% informó lavarse las manos antes del contacto. Entre los propietarios que obtuvieron aves de una planta incubadora, solo el 36.8% indicó que las aves habían sido vacunadas y el 21.1% no estaba seguro de si se habían administrado vacunas. Entre los propietarios que usaban medicación (60.5%), el uso de antibióticos era común (60.9%). En general, las respuestas al cuestionario describen una amplia gama de prácticas de críanza y bioseguridad, a menudo subóptimas, y señalan la necesidad de material educativo para los propietarios de pequeñas parvadas en Ontario.

A two-year prospective study of small poultry flocks in Ontario, Canada, part 2: causes of morbidity and mortality.

Non-commercial poultry flocks (referred to as "small flocks") have become increasingly popular in Canada. Despite this popularity, little is known about the main causes of morbidity and mortality (health status) in these flocks. We assessed the baseline prevalence of infectious and non-infectious diseases among Ontario's small poultry flocks by conducting a prospective surveillance study over a 2-y period. With the owner's consent, for each bird ( n = 245) submitted to the Animal Health Laboratory, we performed a postmortem examination, including ancillary tests to reach a diagnosis. Infectious diseases were the most common primary cause of clinical signs or death (62%), with multifactorial respiratory diseases (21%) and Marek's disease (11%) being most frequent. Multifactorial respiratory diseases were commonly caused by coinfection with bacteria (e.g., Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae, Escherichia coli, Avibacterium spp.) and viruses, such as infectious bronchitis and infectious laryngotracheitis viruses. No federally reportable diseases were diagnosed. The health status of small flocks in Ontario has not been reported previously, to our knowledge, and the data presented herein will produce helpful baseline information for the development of technology transfer material directed to owners and veterinarians, which will ultimately aid in the control of diseases among these flocks.

A two-year prospective study of small poultry flocks in Ontario, Canada, part 1: prevalence of viral and bacterial pathogens.

In Ontario, within the past few years, there has been a marked increase in the number of non-commercial poultry flocks (referred to as "small flocks"). Small poultry flocks may act as a reservoir of avian and zoonotic pathogens, given the flocks' limited access to veterinary services, inadequate biosecurity practices, and increased risk of contact with wild birds. Despite these potential risks, there is a scarcity of data concerning the prevalence of poultry and zoonotic pathogens among these flocks. To assess the baseline prevalence of bacterial and viral infectious pathogens, prospective surveillance of small flock postmortem submissions to the Animal Health Laboratory was conducted over a 2-y period. With the owner's consent, a postmortem examination and pre-set tests for infectious agents were conducted. A total of 160 submissions, mainly chickens (84%), were received. Among bacterial pathogens, Brachyspira spp., Mycoplasma synoviae, Campylobacter spp., Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and Salmonella spp. were detected in 37%, 36%, 35%, 23%, and 3% of tested submissions, respectively. Among viral pathogens, infectious bronchitis virus, fowl adenovirus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, avian reovirus, and infectious bursal disease virus were detected in 39%, 35%, 15%, 4%, and 1% of submissions, respectively. We detected non-virulent avian avulavirus 1 from two chickens in a single submission, and low-pathogenic H10N8 influenza A virus from a single turkey submission. Our study provides baseline prevalence of viral and bacterial pathogens circulating in Ontario small flocks and may help animal and human health professionals to educate small flock owners about disease prevention.