Back to the projectAn agroecological model for coccidiosis in family poultry farming
The project pursues technological innovations for family poultry throughout the establishment of a baseline and then design and disseminate a pilot agroecological model.
Context of the story
Family poultry production plays an important productive role providing safe and high-quality food, regarding the increase in consumption of agroecological products, and the environmental concern about the impact of antimicrobial medicines. According to FAO, 80 % of peri-urban households in developing countries are devoted to poultry production both for self-consumption and income sources. Avian health can be impaired by coccidiosis, decreasing productivity. Prevention methods such as vaccines or anticoccidial drugs are used in the industry, but these are not used in family agroecological systems.Therefore, we sought more efficient production systems in the frame of the“One Health” approach.
We focus on the recognition of coccidiosis as a factor in productivity decrease in family poultry farming and in the implementation of innovations to control it
The implemented initiative
Articulating the work of INTA (Argentina) and Prodesal (Chile), the objective of this proposal is that the benefits of the model that is designed out could reach more than 60,000 producers and that it could be included in institutional and governmental programs, aligning with public policies for gender equity, food security and environmental protection. More than 1,500 people will receive technical assistance, and participate in trainings and awareness campaigns. Potentially, through local radios and social networks, it is expected to reach about 200,000 people.
The implementation and dissemination of the agroecological model that is developed, will improve animal health, productivity and the environment benefiting family poultry farming and consumers.
The technological solution
In the project region´s family poultry farming, the prevalence of coccidiosis, nor the circulating species of the Eimeria parasite are known. Understanding the environmental conditions in which birds are raised is strategic to control the disease. Therefore, a survey of family poultry farming was carried out in the regions of Chile and Argentina where the project is developed, to know in detail the practices of poultry management, the facilities, the typology of the producers, etc. At the same time samples were obtained to assess the status of the disease and recognize it as a potential factor for decreasing productivity in family farms.
Based on these results, an agroecological model will be designed for assessing coccidiosis by adapting existing technologies, including good management and animal well-being practices and- according to experimental results- the use of natural compounds (origanum, garlic and/or black acacia ) to control the disease. Then, the productive model developed will be promoted through training, technical assistance and the use of media in the regions involved
"I could not understand why my chickens did not get fat like those of my neighbor despite all my efforts. When the project people told me they were sick with coccidiosis, I finally understood what the problem was. Now I know what I need to do "
Argentina
ChileType of project
Results
First Coccidiosis study carried out in the family poultry farming of Argentina and Chile:
- 101 biological samples taken: 50.8 % bed, 40.6 % fresh fecal matter and 8.9 % of intestines
- The frequency of cases of coccidiosis (prevalence) was 84.2% !!!!
- 7 species of Eimeria were detected by PCR : E. mitis (52.81 %), E. tenella (42.77 %) and E. acervulina (39.30 %) the most frequent
- 48.5 % of producers on average ignore the disease. In Chile the percentage is 94.7 %!!
- Between 48-53% are managed by women farmers
- In Chile, 85.7 % of the farms clean with a frequency less than one month, while in Argentina 64.9 % clean in each breeding period .
- The low use of effective disinfectants against Eimeria could explain the high prevalence of the disease
- 69 % of farms generate stress by management due to low temperatures, high humidity and mixture of different ages of birds
-An oocysts and DNA´s bank with field isolates was generated.
Relevant data
First Coccidiosis study carried out in the family poultry farming of Argentina and Chile
Main scientific results of the project up to date
First diagnosis ever made of coccidiosis in family poultry farming in the project region
Participating Organizations
Main donors
