An agroecological model for coccidiosis in family poultry farming

The project aims to establish a baseline for the introduction of technological innovations that adapt to family poultry farming in Argentina and Chile and subsequently design and disseminate a pilot agroecological model.

Context of the story

Family poultry production plays an important productive role providing safe and high-quality food, regarding the increase in consumption of agroecological products, and environmental concerns about the impact of antimicrobial medicines. According to the FAO, 80% of peri-urban households in developing countries are devoted to poultry production both for self-consumption and as an income source. Avian health can be impaired by coccidiosis, decreasing productivity. Prevention methods such as vaccines or anticoccidial drugs are used in the industry, but these are not used in family agroecological systems. Therefore, we sought more efficient production systems within the“One Health” approach.

We focus on the recognition of coccidiosis as a factor in decreasing productivity in family poultry farming and in the implementation of innovations to control it

The implemented initiative

Coordinating the work of INTA (Argentina) and Prodesal (Chile), the objective of this proposal is for the benefits of the developed model to reach more than 60,000 producers and be included in institutional and governmental programs, aligning with public policies for gender equity, food security and environmental protection. More than 1,500 people will receive technical assistance, and participate in training and awareness campaigns. It is expected to reach a potential 200,000 people through local radios and social networks.

The implementation and dissemination of the agroecological model that is developed, will improve animal health, productivity and the environment benefiting family poultry farming and consumers.

The technological solution

In the project region’s family poultry farming, neither the prevalence of coccidiosis nor the species of the Eimeria parasite present are known. Understanding the environmental conditions in which birds are raised is strategic to controlling the disease. Therefore, a survey of family poultry farming was carried out in the project regions of Chile and Argentina, to know in detail the practices of poultry management, the facilities, the typology of the producers, etc. At the same time, samples were obtained to assess the status of the disease and recognize it as a potential factor for decreasing productivity in family farms.
Based on these results, an agroecological model will be designed for assessing coccidiosis by adapting existing technologies, including good management and animal well-being practices and, according to experimental results, the use of natural compounds (origanum, garlic and/or black acacia) to control the disease. Then, the productive model developed will be promoted through training, technical assistance and the use of media in the regions involved.

"I could not understand why my chickens did not get fat like those of my neighbor despite all my efforts. When the project people told me they were sick with coccidiosis, I finally understood what the problem was. Now I know what I need to do "
Luciana Cortese, family producer from Pergamino, Argentina

Participating countries

Type of project

Results

First Coccidiosis study carried out in family poultry farming of Argentina and Chile:
- 116 biological samples taken: 50.8 % bed, 40.6 % fresh fecal matter and 8.9 % of intestines
- The prevalence coccidiosis cases was 84.2%
- 7 species of Eimeria were detected by PCR: E. mitis (52.81 %), E. tenella (42.77 %) and E. acervulina (39.30 %) were the most frequent
- 48.5 % of producers on average ignore the disease. In Chile the percentage is 94.7 %
- Between 48-53% are managed by female farmers
- In Chile, 85.7 % of the farms clean monthly, while in Argentina 64.9 % they clean less frequently, during each breeding period .
- The low use of effective disinfectants against Eimeria could explain the high prevalence of the disease
- 69 % of farms have factors that generate stress such as low temperatures, high humidity and mixture of different ages of birds
- An oocyst and DNA bank with field isolates was generated.

Relevant data

First Coccidiosis study carried out in family poultry farming of Argentina and Chile

Producer that receive direct assistance
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Producer that receive direct assistance
Surveys made
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Surveys made
Samples
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Samples
Workshops and seminars
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Workshops and seminars
Directly and indirectly trained people
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Directly and indirectly trained people
 Publications in scientific journals and books
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Publications in scientific journals and books
Benefiting student theses (2 doctoral student theses and 1 undergraduate student theses)
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Benefiting student theses (2 doctoral student theses and 1 undergraduate student theses)
Directly and indirectly trained women
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Directly and indirectly trained women

Main scientific results of the project up to date

First diagnosis ever made of coccidiosis in family poultry farming in the project region

Participating Organizations

Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Argentina
Universidad de Chile (UCHILE) - Chile
Universidad Mayor de Chile (UMAYOR) - Chile
Universidad Nacional de Luján  (UNLU) - Argentina
Fundación ArgenINTA (ARGENINTA) - Argentina
Fundación ArgenINTA (ARGENINTA) - Argentina
Universidad de Chile (UCHILE) - Chile
Universidad Mayor de Chile (UMAYOR) - Chile
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Argentina
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E-mail: fontagro@fontagro.org