Village Chickens

When it comes to life science and specially by considering animal-origin protein, one of the main topics to gain importance with respect to human nutrition and health is poultry science. This book presents an introductory overview to the different fields/branches of poultry science with four main divisions: different feed resources for poultry, biofilms of salmonella and campylobacter in the poultry industry, prevention of different contaminants in modern poultry farms, and mycotoxins in poultry feed. This book will be beneficial for the graduate students, teachers, researchers, farmers, and other professionals, who are interested to fortify and expand their knowledge about chicken products in fields of poultry science, biotechnology, plant science, and agriculture.

In developing countries in Africa, Asia and Central and South America, the keeping of village poultry is a constant backdrop to village life. This pubIication is a record of the papers presented at the workshop in Maputo, Mozambique 6-9 March, 2000 on Newcastle disease in village chickens.

Australia has supported the implementation of effective village chicken production programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America, including several research projects funded by ACIAR. This investment in research and development, always in collaboration with producers, traders and other stakeholders, has been shown to increase poultry numbers, household purchasing power, home consumption of chicken products (resulting in improved nutrition for families) and the decision-making power of women. This manual is focused on developing countries. It describes husbandry practices and biosecurity measures for village chickens that can be implemented using locally available resources. These measures will lead to both increased productivity and improved protection from disease in village chicken systems. Village chicken improvement programs have the potential to contribute to each of the Millennium Development Goals and to do so for the most vulnerable families in developing countries.

To meet growing demand, the FAO has estimated that world poultry production needs to grow by 2-3% per year to 2030. Much of the increase in output already achieved has been as a result of improvements in commercial breeds combined with rearing in more intensive production systems. However, more intensive systems and complex supply chains have increased the risk of rapid transmission of animal diseases and zoonoses. Consumer expectations of sensory and nutritional quality have never been higher. At the same time consumers are more concerned about the environmental impact of poultry production as well as animal welfare. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research on safety, quality and sustainability issues in poultry production. Part 1 discusses risks from pathogens, detection and safety management on farms and in slaughterhouse operations. Part 2 looks at ways of enhancing the flavour, colour, texture and nutritional quality of poultry meat. Finally, the book reviews the environmental impact of poultry production. Achieving sustainable production of poultry meat Volume 1: Safety, quality and sustainability will be a standard reference for poultry and food scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in poultry production. It is accompanied by two further volumes which review poultry breeding, nutrition, health and welfare.