Pictorial Presentation and Description of Commercial Herbal Poultry Products Sold in Veterinary Shops in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

For resource-poor smallholder farmers in Nigeria, conventional drugs have become very expensive and an out-of-reach resource for the health management of chickens. A diagnostic survey was undertaken in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria to identify and document commercial herbal poultry products sold in veterinary shops in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. An informal diagnostic survey was carried out during which the veterinary shops in the study area were identified from the registered list of Animal Healthcare practitioners in Imo Agricultural Development Program and the practitioners informed on the nature and purpose of the study. Based on the result of the survey, 30 practitioners were purposively chosen for the study, based on their willingness to participate in the study. Twelve (12) commercial herbal poultry products were identified. Majority of the products originated from Nigeria followed by India, Malaysia, and Germany. The presentation was in liquid and powder form. Cost per treatment and treatment regimen of the commercial herbal products utilized in poultry production in Owerri, Imo State were identified and documented. In conclusion, there is a need for validation of the therapeutic function and effectiveness of these commercial herbal products.