Assessment of biosecurity measures in commercial poultry farms of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh

The application of biosecurity measures in the poultry sector are essential. Developing and implementing daily biosecurity activities are considered effective methods to prevent infectious diseases on poultry farms. Appropriate farm settings and management reduce the possibility of disease transmission between farms. This study aimed to assess the current biosecurity status of commercial poultry farms in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2021, involving 204 poultry farmers in the Rajshahi district, using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The statistically significant (p < 0.05) results found were: most farmers reported that the visitors could not access their farms (broiler vs. layer: 68.1%, 77.0%). A higher proportion of broilers compared to layer farms used company's supplied feed (81.2% vs. 66.7%). A higher proportion of layer (97.8%) farms cleaned the farm's litter within 24 h compared to broiler farms (72.5%). Broiler farms had better records animal mortality than layer farms (76.8% vs. 60.0%). More layer (96.3%) farms compared to broiler (87.0%) farms implemented a vaccination program. The findings of this study revealed that biosecurity measures are well-practiced and implemented in most broiler and layer farms in this region except in a small number of farms. Government authorities should strictly enforce and monitor biosecurity measures in farms that do not practice essential biosecurity measures.