title: Evaluation of egg production after adoption of biosecurity strategies by backyard poultry farmers in West Bengal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  On the basis of identified source of major bacterial infections at four agro-climatic zones in West Bengal the cost-effective biosecurity strategy was formulated for backyard poultry farmers. The aim of the present study was to assess the adoption. So, the study was aimed to detect the adoption level of the formulated biosecurity strategy to mitigate the Salmonella and Escherichia coliweek post-hatch period chicks were contamination level in the sources and its correlation with egg production in West Bengal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was prepared querying regarding the biosecurity measures presently followed by the farmers, if any and egg production of their birds. Subsequent to the interview the formulated biosecurity strategy was conveyed. After 3 months, the interview with the same questionnaire was conducted to the same farmers to detect their adoption level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The change in practices were noted in certain parameters which differs significantly (p<0.01 or p<0.05). As a consequence, the average egg production/flock was increased in 3 months after adoption of the strategy (618.2±37.77/flock) in comparison to last 3 months average before adoption of the strategy (495.3±30.00/flock) which also differs significantly (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study detected the implementation of the biosecurity strategy in backyard poultry farming in West Bengal can substantially benefit the farmers in terms of increased egg production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Samanta
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Joardar
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ganguli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sarkar
keywords: West Bengal; adoption; backyard poultry; biosecurity strategy; egg production