Poultry Vet Training in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s poultry sector, particularly in both commercial and backyard production, faces significant challenges. High mortality rates, poor brooding management, limited access to quality veterinary care, and a lack of knowledge on disease prevention and poultry farm management hinder the sector’s growth and profitability. Private and public veterinarians often lack access to advanced training, leaving them underprepared to support poultry farmers effectively.
The World Poultry Foundation (WPF) partnered with EthioChicken, South African veterinary company Merck and poultry veterinary consultant, Scott Gillingham, to address these challenges by organizing an advanced poultry training workshop in Addis Ababa in February 2018. The two-day workshop trained approximately 75 private and public veterinarians, addressing critical aspects of poultry management. The sessions covered topics such as chicken house management, biosecurity, ventilation, and equipment, alongside brooding, feed, and water management. Participants also focused on disease prevention and diagnosis, as well as proper handling of veterinary drugs, such as vaccination schedules, storage, and usage.
This training initiative aimed to enhance the expertise of local veterinarians working in both field and government roles. The program was designed to improve the quality of day-old chicks (DOC) by reducing mortality rates and promoting effective brooding management practices at farms that purchase DOCs.
Through this initiative, WPF played a vital role in distributing advanced training materials, advocating for improved practices, and fostering positive behavioral changes in Ethiopia’s poultry sector. This collaboration was a key step toward advancing sustainable poultry farming and improving productivity across the country.