Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Potiskum town to determine the prevalence, management, and risk factors associated with pododermatitis among commercial broiler chicken farms, and to assess the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in lesions found on the legs of broilers affected with pododermatitis. The study visually examined the feet of 390 broilers from 30 farms in Maiduguri and 400 broilers from 20 farms in Potiskum for cases of pododermatitis. Swab samples were obtained from lesions on the legs of broilers affected with pododermatitis and tested for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus using Gram stain, Coagulase, and Catalase tests. Questionnaires on risk factors associated with pododermatitis were also administered to 30 and 20 of the farmers whose birds were sampled from Maiduguri and Potiskum, respectively. Respondents from Maiduguri were mostly adults (87%) and males (56%) whose flock sizes were less than 100(89.3%) broilers, of which they commonly reared on a concrete floor (60%). Similarly, respondents from Potiskum were adults (95.3%) and males (70%) whose flock sizes were less than 100(65%) broilers, which they commonly reared on a concrete floor (90%). Respondents considered the consumption of chicken feet as healthy, even though its specific demand was low. Pododermatitis was not considered to affect either the prices of broilers or the feed and water consumption of broilers. The overall prevalence of pododermatitis was 25.6% (100/390) in Maiduguri and 9.5% (38/400) in Potiskum. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 43 of the 100 broilers affected with pododermatitis in Maiduguri and in 12 out of 38 broilers affected with pododermatitis in Potiskum. The study across all the 50 farms showed age (chi squared=9.455, P=0.0021) and damp or wet litter (χ2=4.059, P=0.0439) were associated with the occurrence of pododermatitis. Improvements in litter management in broiler houses could likely reduce the occurrence of pododermatitis.

Key words: Broilers, Farmers perceptions, Maiduguri, Potiskum, Pododermatitis, risk factors