Characteristics of Poultry Farms and Use of Antibiotics in Peri-Urban Farms in Burkina Faso

This study aimed to characterize farming practices and the use of antibiotics in the process of peri-urban poultry farming in Burkina Faso. Surveys were carried out on poultry farms with a questionnaire sent to 121 breeders in Ouagadougou and its surrounding areas. The results showed that poultry farming is dominated by males (79.3%) with a low level of education. Most poultry farmers make very little use of the services of an animal health specialist. Almost half (50.4%) of poultry farmers used a combination of modern treatment and decoction obtained from local plants. Self-medication was estimated at 73.6% while 38% of the drugs used came from unauthorized street sales. Poultry farmers (36%) said they didn't respect the recommended doses. Unhygienized poultry manure is discarded in nature or sold for use in fields or gardens. These practices present risks of spreading multi-resistant bacteria. This study provides an overview of husbandry practices and antibiotic use in peri-urban livestock in Burkina Faso. Good breeding practices and rational use of antibiotics in poultry farming will limit the misuse of antibiotics but also the proliferation of antibiotic resistance.