Commercial broiler farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding poultry nutrition and health Management

Garima  Khanal; Parisha  Thapa; Mohammad Tufazzal  Hussan; Amar Nath  Chaudhary; Suman Kumar  Singh

Garima Khanal Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Purbanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Parisha Thapa Department of Livestock Production and Management, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Bharatpur 44200, Chitwan, Nepal
Mohammad Tufazzal Hussan Department of Anatomy and Histology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh
Amar Nath Chaudhary Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Bharatpur 44200, Chitwan, Nepal
Suman Kumar Singh Department of Veterinary Surgery, Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Tribhuvan University, Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi, Nepal

Keywords: Knowledge, Poultry, Health, Nutrition, Training

Abstract

Background: The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of commercial broiler farmers regarding poultry nutrition and health management have a significant impact on the productivity and sustainability of poultry farming. This study was conducted between June and August 2022, involving a total of 150 farms- 75 each from the districts of Kathmandu and Rupandehi in Nepal.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed to assess farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nutrition and health management in commercial broiler farming.

Results: The findings reveal that only 30% of respondents had received training in poultry farming practices, while 73.3% relied on poultry farming as their primary source of income. Despite 56.67% acknowledging good government policies on nutritional feeding, 60% reported inappropriate antimicrobial use in feed formulation. Similarly, 60% admitted to adding antimicrobials to feed at any time to prevent illness in birds. Furthermore, 76.67% admitted to skipping one or two doses of prescribed medication. The study also found that 46.67% of respondents believed that routine feed was sufficient for poultry, while 36.67% thought that the use of probiotics and feed supplements was equivalent. Additionally, 46.67% of respondents added feed additives when birds failed to reach average weight. Likewise, 40% agreed on using probiotics and feed supplements at any age. Although all respondents were aware of who is authorized to prescribe medications, only 73.3% consulted veterinarians.

Conclusion: The study identifies significant gaps between knowledge and practice, particularly in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, feed management, and disease prevention. These findings highlight the need for effective training and targeted policy interventions. The results will help inform educational programs for farmers, aiming to standardize production practices and support the sustainable growth of both the farming community and the poultry industry in Nepal.

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