INDISCRIMINATE USE OF ANTIBIOTIC IN COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS.

Abstract

Indiscriminate antibiotic used in food-producing animals have become important and a threat to public health, this is as a result of the continual use of the antibiotics in poultry. The study was aimed to determine the attitude and practices of 20 commercial poultry farms using questionnaires on indiscriminate use of antibiotics in Paiko, Niger State, Nigeria. The results showed that, majority, 18(90.0%) of poultry farms used one or more antibiotics, while most, 8(44.4%) administered antibiotics for prophylactic purposes, and mainly through drinking water 12(66.7%). Many, 13(72.2%) did not observed withdrawal periods, while most, 16(88.9%) consulted feed/drug sellers before using antibiotics, and many, 17(94.4%) purchased antibiotics from local vendors. This study indicated indiscriminate use of antibiotics by poultry farmers in the study area. It is anticipated that the finding of this study would help in motivating all the stakeholders to enforce laws on prudent farm practices by all commercial farmers inPaiko, Niger State, Nigeria.