Abstract

Wild birds are involved in the spread of avian pathogens such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses over long distances. This study aimed to identify conditions that can promote poultry-wild bird interactions and consequently enhance risk of introduction, spread, and maintenance of avian pathogens within poultry population in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to poultry farmers and poultry sellers in farms, live bird markets (LBMs), and households and cross checked by observers using a checklist. Of the 108 respondents, 86.4% affirmed that wild birds scavenge for food on their farms, households, and LBMs, 73.1% kept poultry on free range and 67.9% indicated the presence of trees, where wild birds settle, on their farms, households, or LBMs. However, 53.3% were near major rivers/wetlands while 9.3% had fish ponds near their farms or households. Nonetheless, 94.7% of respondents dispose dead poultry and litter in refuse dumps and 77.2% of the respondents had farms along transit routes. Spearman’s rho showed strong positive correlations between poultry and wild bird interaction with high rates of scavenging by wild birds on farms and around households, presence of major rivers, free-range poultry and transit routes for live bird trade, spillage of poultry feed and presence of tress for roosting of wild birds on the farms. The frequencies of risk factors for poultry and wild bird interactions were high in Olamaboro, Ajaokuta, Dekina, Ofu, Ankpa, Lokoja, Okene, and Ogori-Mangogo local government areas of the State. There is a need to train poultry farmers and sellers of Kogi State on biosecurity practices to reduce the level of poultry and wild bird interactions to prevent the risk of the introduction and spread of avian pathogens by wild birds.