Effect of sanitary measures on performance of broiler chickens in Marathwada region of Maharashtra , India

Fifteen broiler farms in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state were selected and effect of sanitary measures on performance of broiler chickens was studied by on the spot observation and on the basis of questionnaire. All the farms categorized under excellent, optimum and poor sanitation farm on the basis of sanitary measures adopted on the farm. It was evident that the sanitary measures had direct effect on the performance of broiler chickens. The mortality rate and feed conversion ratio was highest in poor sanitation broiler farms followed by optimum and excellent sanitation broiler farms. The weight gain per bird at 45 days age was highest in excellent sanitation farms followed by optimum and poor sanitation farms.


Introduction
Emphasis needs to be given to safety and security of poultry flocks from different health hazards Poultry sector, beside employment generation due to improper management and health cover which and subsidiary income increase, provides nutritional has a direct bearing on poultry industry and indirect security especially to the rural poor.The value of bearing not only on economy of farmers but also on output from poultry sector is nearly 15000 crore and national economy.provide direct or indirect employment to over 2 A good sanitation programme can benefit the million people.About 25 per cent of total egg grower by optimizing bird performance while production in the country comes from desi poultry, lowering the incidence of commercial flocks.Good which is unorganized rural backyard system sanitation can be difference between a profitable and (Anonymous, 2006).The desire to obtain maximum unprofitable operation.The lacunae in managemental weight gain in minimum time and attempts to increase procedures need to be identified by on the spot survey the number of crops in a year forces the farmers to report.Keeping these facts in views the present study compromise on sanitation of broiler farms.
is planned in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state A common concern of poultry industry is for assessment of sanitary measures adopted by broiler presence of bacterial and fungal pathogens i.e. disease farms.and infections in bird's environment.A high population of pathogenic bacteria in the poultry house

Materials and Methods
contributes to a decline in wellness of flock and Fifteen broiler farms in Marathwada region of increased levels of pathogens recoverable carcass entering the consumer market (Payne et al., 2005).
Maharashtra state were selected for present study Aim of every broiler farmer is to run farm (Table 1).Assessment of sanitary measures of broiler successfully and economically viable and to gain the farms on the basis of on the spot observation by confidence of market or consumers without questionnaire was done as per score system.The compromising quality of final product and to sustain in questionnaire filled in by supervisors consisted of population.One of key preventive measure for poultry exhaustive list of sanitary measures expected to be disease is proper sanitation.Poultry house sanitation adopted by the broiler farmers for effective sanitation.plays a crucial role in control and prevention of The observations in the questionnaire were authenticated harmful diseases (Watkins et al, 1999).
by on spot observation.The factors considered in questionnaire and points allotted is presented in Table 2. performance of the broilers, the data of feed conversion The farms having total score more than 75 per ratio, weight gain and mortality percentage on individual cent in each of the above parameters (1 to 15) were farm was collected and tabulated.graded as 'Excellent sanitation', those score between Mortality performance in broiler: Data regarding 75-50 percent in each parameter were rated as mortality in broiler collected at age of 45 days during 'optimum sanitation' and those having score less than the present study (Table 3).The percent mortality was 50 percent in each parameter were rated as 'poor highest (14.00) in poor sanitation farms followed by sanitation'.Data pertaining to weight gain, FCR and optimum (9.86) and excellent sanitation farms (5.60).feed intake per batch of broiler was collected during The cause of mortality in each of farm is different.the survey.The data collected on the performance of Farooqui et al. (2002) also found overall mortalities broilers was tabulated and statistically analyzed by were higher in poor sanitary condition as compared to Completely Randomized Block Design (Panse and excellent sanitation.Sukhatme, 1967).
Weight gain of broiler: During the study data collected pertaining to per bird weight gain in broilers

Results and Discussion
of excellent, optimum and poor sanitation broiler For classification of broiler farms on the basis of farms (Table 4).For calculating the per bird weight sanitary measures, information on the basis of gain the actual number of birds available on questionnaire was collected.The factors considered in completion of 45 days of age and their cumulative questionnaire and points allotted were presented in weight was taken into consideration.The mean weight Table 2.For study the effect of the sanitary measure on gains of the broiler at the age of 45 days in excellent, optimum and poor sanitation farms were 2.037, 1.575 of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, Marathwada and 1.300 kg respectively.It was evident from the data Agricultural University, Parbhani (M.S.) for providing that productivity was highest in excellent sanitation the facilities and guidance required for conducting the broiler farm followed by optimum and poor sanitation research work.broiler farms.

References
Feed conversion ratio of broiler: Assessment of