PARAMARIBO — Officials from the Livestock Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) have noted a higher than normal mortality rate among broiler chickens at a poultry farm in the past week. It is true that during this period of the year, when temperatures are persistently high during the day, mortality, especially among broiler chickens, can increase. This is known to both poultry farmers and the Ministry of LVV.
However, the ministry emphasizes that care must be taken when mortality becomes abnormally high. Increased mortality can have various causes, including heat stress. Poultry diseases, which can arise under stressful conditions, can also play a role. In addition, it is possible that pathogens enter a company unnoticed.
The ministry therefore calls on all livestock farmers, and in particular poultry farmers, to report cases of increased mortality in a timely manner. This allows investigation into the possible cause and, if necessary, timely measures can be taken to prevent further spread or greater losses.
Employees of the Animal Husbandry Directorate will support poultry farmers in the area around the company in question in identifying sick animals. They will also pay attention to tightening biosecurity measures so that poultry farms can be kept as free of diseases as possible.
