A Review of Survey on Antibiotic Usage in Poultry

The poultry industry in Nigeria will continue to shift from subsistence farming to intensive food production that implies routine antibiotic usage. Chickens were now reaching their market weight at a much faster rate and at a lower cost. With a growing population and greater demand from farmers, antibiotics appeared to be an ideal and cost-effective way to increase the output of poultry. However, imprudent use of antibiotics in food-producing animals is associated with health risks for consumers. It has come to light that most antibiotics used in Nigeria's poultry industry are done with little or no expert consultation and some of these antibiotics are available over the counter. Rational use of antibiotics, source of procurement of antibiotics, Self-prescription, lack of information, and need for profit by poultry farmers culminates in the inappropriate use of antibiotics. To solve this, Government agencies should design policies such as surveillance, monitoring, legislation, and education. There’s a need to change the way we use and view antibiotics, particularly oxytetracycline. Individuals need to be aware that the choices they make when it comes to the use of antibiotic usage could affect the effectiveness of antibiotics in the prevention, treatment, and growth promotion. Government and poultry farmers have a role to play and the time to act is now. This review aims to discuss antibiotic usage in poultry.The poultry industry in Nigeria will continue to shift from subsistence farming to intensive food production that implies routine antibiotic usage. Chickens were now reaching their market weight at a much faster rate and at a lower cost. With a growing population and greater demand from farmers, antibiotics appeared to be an ideal and cost-effective way to increase the output of poultry. However, imprudent use of antibiotics in food-producing animals is associated with health risks for consumers. It has come to light that most antibiotics used in Nigeria's poultry industry are done with little or no expert consultation and some of these antibiotics are available over the counter. Rational use of antibiotics, source of procurement of antibiotics, Self-prescription, lack of information, and need for profit by poultry farmers culminates in the inappropriate use of antibiotics. To solve this, Government agencies should design policies such as surveillance, monitoring, legislation, and education. There’s a need to change the way we use and view antibiotics, particularly oxytetracycline. Individuals need to be aware that the choices they make when it comes to the use of antibiotic usage could affect the effectiveness of antibiotics in the prevention, treatment, and growth promotion. Government and poultry farmers have a role to play and the time to act is now. This review aims to discuss antibiotic usage in poultry.

A Review of Survey on Antibiotic Usage in Poultry Keywords:

Antibiotic , Growth promoters , Veterinarian , Animal health workers , Poultry industry