Health and Disease Management of Indigenous Ducks (Anas Plathrynchus) in the Tamale Metropolis, Northern Region
Abstract
A survey was conducted in 23 selected communities in the Tamale metropolis to identify various health and disease management practices employed by local duck farmers. Snowball sampling technique was used to select the various communities while purposive sampling technique was used to identify duck farmers within the communities. Primary data was obtained using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 91 duck farmers and was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results of the survey showed that majority (69.2%) of the farmers adopted biosecurity measures whiles 30.8% adopted no biosecurity measures. The majority of the farmers (64.8%) practiced a semi-intensive management system. In terms of various biosecurity measures carried out by farmers, 9.5% ensured good hygiene whereas 17.5% practiced culling and slaughtering of sick ducks to avert possible transmission of infections. Additionally, 28.6% of the farmers provided water and fed regularly to their ducks. Some farmers (11.1%) protected their ducks from predator’s whiles control of ticks was carried out by 3.2%. Few farmers (9.5%) provided shelter to ducklings whiles 20.6% provided prophylactic treatment to ducks. Few farmers (4.4%) follow vaccination schedules whiles 95.6% do not. Modern treatment was practiced by 31.9% whiles 1.1% use ethno-veterinary medicine. The majority of the farmers (76.7%) used Amoxicillin antibiotics whiles 6.7% and 13.3% use Sulfa and Flagyl (metronidazole) drugs. The medicaments identified were used in treating symptoms and ailments such as anorexia, paresis, fowl cholera, and paralysis. Avian botulism was the prevalent disease in the study area. In terms of action on sick ducks, 24.2% of the farmers slaughtered and consumed sick ducks whiles 33% treated their sick ducks. From the study disease management of ducks in the metropolis has not been given much attention by farmers however, with much extension education on these the farmers would obtain many benefits from their production.
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