These tools have been produced under an Australian Aid-funded project, implemented by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture – Belize, in collaboration with the Belize Poultry Association, Belize Agricultural Health Authority, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Biosecurity is defined as a set of practices to avoid contact between poultry and germs. By using these measures, farmers can have healthier and more productive animals that are less likely to be affected by disease outbreaks. These tools are designed for use by extension officers training farmers in the field and include a biosecurity field manual, two videos, and five posters.
Field Manual
This field manual, a practical guide to control diseases in village chickens in Belize, was written by one of Belize’s most experienced poultry vets. It is written in an accessible and easy-to-follow style: describing a healthy chicken; causes of diseases in poultry; biosecurity principles; how to set up a model biosecurity system checklist; and where to get help. We hope it can be of practical benefit in training sessions as well as for farmers setting up their own systems.
Training Video
The training video is designed to complement the field manual and visualize the most important biosecurity features. It illustrates the important steps necessary to maintain a biosecurity system including constructing a biosecurity coop with a perimeter fence, washing hands before and after handling chickens, ensuring footwear and tools are kept clean, and vaccinating chickens to protect them from diseases such as Newcastle disease. The video is presented by experts from the Belize Poultry Association, Belize Agricultural Health Authority, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise.
Posters
The posters are designed to be used by farmers and extension officers to remind them, and others working with poultry, of the simple measures that can be taken to reduce or prevent the spread of poultry diseases around communities. The posters are formatted for tabloid, 11″x17″, sized paper and can be printed at a local printing shop.
There are five posters:
- 1. A Backyard poultry biosecurity system
- 2. Backyard poultry biosecurity – the importance of quarantine
- 3. Backyard poultry biosecurity – things to remember
- 4. Backyard poultry biosecurity – the key to your flock’s health.
- 5.Backyard poultry biosecurity – vaccinate against Newcastle disease.