Strong winds can spread pathogens in open-air poultry farms. In this respect informs University of Washington.
Olivia Smith and her colleagues studied chicken manure collected from 27 farms in the western United States: California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Researchers also asked farmers about management practices and the breed and age of their chickens. Only 11 of the farms in the study were officially certified “organic” producers, but all avoided the use of chemicals, including antibiotics, vaccines or parasiticides, in principle. At this point, farmers differ from large poultry farms, which raise animals indoors using copious amounts of drugs and hormones.
It turned out that about 26% of birds in open field farms were affected by the pathogen. campylobacter. At the same time, the chances of detecting affected chickens were higher on farms with strong winds a week before sampling and on farms located near agricultural holdings. Scientists suggest that wind contributes to the spread of pathogens.
To reduce the impact campylobacter, the researchers suggested that farmers consider installing windshields. You can also follow the weather forecast and take the animals to shelters if strong winds are expected.
Formerly zoologists perceivedthe failure of malyuras to come to the aid of unfamiliar bird relatives.