Factors Affecting Poultry Producers’ Attitudes towards Biosecurity
- Author(s): Arthi Amalraj, Hilde Van Meirhaeghe, Anne-Christine Lefort, Nathalie Rousset, Justine Grillet, Annick Spaans, Aitor Devesa, Sandra Sevilla-Navarro, Giuditta Tilli, Alessandra Piccirillo, Artur Żbikowski, László Kovács, Mária Kovács-Weber, Ilias Chantziaras and Jeroen Dewulf
- Published in: MDPI – Animals
- Year of publication: 2024
The prevention of the spread of poultry diseases within and among farms largely depends on the adoption of good biosecurity practices.
Through the process of profiling European poultry producers, we were able to identify the particular aspects that influence the adoption of biosecurity practices. The results suggest a wide and varied attitude towards biosecurity in the poultry farming community. Generally, most producers appear to be aware of the risks associated with poor biosecurity and the outcomes of carrying out or not carrying out certain practices. Yet, compared with producers of laying hens or parent breeding stock, meat poultry producers (broiler, turkeys, and ducks) appear to have more blocking components with regard to biosecurity.
The education level had a positive effect on perception about biosecurity. Poultry producers are not a homogeneous group, and to change their attitudes and actions, approaches must consider the producers’ mindset and need to be tailored to the specific needs of the producers.