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Mapping traditional
poultry hatcheries in Egypt
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Abstract: This study was carried out in response to periodic reoccurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Egypt, especially in backyard birds and humans and despite significant control efforts. Its objective was to develop a database of traditional hatcheries (THs) in Egypt and identifying their role in supplying genetic stock to the rural sector. A total of 84 THs were surveyed in the governorates of Gharbia (32 THs), Faiyoum (30) and Sohag (22) in July and August 2008. Nearly all the surveyed THs incubate Baladi chicken (CK) eggs, from improved breeds resulting from the crossing of native with exotic breeds, and/or pure Peking or hybrid duck (DK) eggs. About 510 000 day-old chicks (DOCs) and 192 300 day-old ducklings (DODs) were produced weekly during the study period. There is clear seasonality in TH productivity, with high operating capacity in the winter season (January to April) along with significantly increased hatchability resulting in periods of intense rearing of growing birds. The main source of the CK eggs incubated in the surveyed THs is Qalyubia governorate (supplying 69.7 percent) followed by Faiyoum (24.3 percent) and Gharbia governorates (3.0 percent). DK eggs come from Gharbia (38.5 percent), Beheira (26.7 percent), Sharqia (14.6 percent) and Qalyubia (11.9 percent) governorates. Of the total DOCs produced, 40 percent are nursed in Faiyoum governorate, 30 percent in Sohag and 10 percent in Quena; 32 percent of the total DODs produced are nursed in Gharbia, 30 percent in Faiyoum and 13 percent in Beheira. In the surveyed THs, the hatchability percentages of both types of egg are significantly lower than those in modern hatcheries incubating the same types of egg, in both the winter and summer seasons. Hatchability decreases significantly in summer for both egg species in the THs. Weekly losses due to decreased hatchability are estimated at 66 810 DOCs and 32 499 DODs. Regarding disease risk factors, none of the THs are organized for a one-way flow of products, workers, air and traffic from clean to dirty zones. The sun-dried mud bricks used to build most of the THs allow disinfection by fumigation only. Of the THs surveyed, about 21 percent are located within 500 m of water canals, 32 percent within 500 m of poultry farms, 75 percent within 500 m of poultry hatcheries, and 83 percent within 500 m of paved roads. About 20 percent incubate both CK and DK eggs at the same time. The turning of eggs with unprotected hands, the circulation of egg racks among THs and egg producing farms, and the lack of disinfection of the vehicles used to transport both eggs and day-old birds (DOBs) facilitate the transmission and dissemination of infectious agents across virtually all the locations involved in producing chickens and ducks. This was confirmed by the 100 percent similarity of the haemagglutinin genes of H5N1 viruses isolated simultaneously from north and south Egypt.
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Publication year |
2008
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Pages |
1-61
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Organization Name |
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Author(s) from ARC |
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External authors (outside ARC) |
Olaf Thieme
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Karin Schwabenbauer
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Zahra S. Ahmed
Food and Agricultural Organization of the
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Publication Type |
Technical Report
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