In this week’s article, we continue to look at the EPA’s Environmental Guidelines for Poultry Rearing. As was stated in last week’s article, poorly managed poultry rearing operations can result in odour nuisances, water and land pollution and lead to human health conditions of the skin, eyes and ears. Additionally, waterborne diseases such as diarrhea can be caused by polluted water emanating from poultry-rearing facilities. Hence, the relevance of these guidelines.
Preventing diseases
Diseases can enter a facility through new animals, equipment, or, people and can weaken or kill birds. Poultry manure and carcasses also contain pathogens that can affect human health. To reduce diseases, the following tips should be considered:
• Store feed properly to prevent wild birds such as sparrows, crows, etc., from interacting with it;
• Quarantine new animals before they mix with the existing population;
• Wash and disinfect equipment, e.g., crates, clothing, before entering livestock zones;
• Vehicles that go from farm to farm should have special precautions such as limiting their operation to special areas, spraying tires and treating parking areas with disinfectants;
• Have a veterinarian carry out regular checks on the animals for parasites and other disease vectors. Any sick birds should be kept away from the healthy ones and systems for the proper removal and disposal of dead birds should be put in place;
• Where possible, establish all-in and all-out systems with only one age group farm. On farms with multiple-aged birds, workers should always work with the youngest first before moving on the older birds. Workers should be trained on how to apply animal health products; and
• No slaughtering should be done on site, unless approved by the Environmental Health Officer of the NDC/RDC.
Handling condemned carcasses
While death can be reduced through proper animal care and disease prevention, it is inevitable that a few birds will die. In such cases, carcasses need to be properly managed and quickly disposed of in order to prevent the spread of diseases and odours and to avoid the attraction of organisms that can spread disease.
• Collect carcasses regularly to prevent decay.
• Carcasses should be buried on property owned by the owner, or at a site approved by the relevant authorities, e.g., NDC.
• The area for burial should be at least 100 metres away from houses and water resources. The area should be stable, clay soil and burial should be deep enough to avoid disruption by animals such as dogs, vultures, etc. When burying carcasses, use lime to eliminate odours and assist in making the carcass decompose faster.
• If carcasses are to be burnt, this should only be done in permitted facilities operating under national and/or international standards.
• Persons handling carcasses should be properly equipped with protective clothing such as gloves, long boots, respirator, apron and other safety gear.
• Disease-free carcasses may be used for animal feed.
Managing wastewater
Wastewater can be generated from cleaning pens and while feeding water to birds. Manage wastewater by applying the following:
• Prevent overflow of watering devices to reduce spilling of water.
• Install plants that can act as filters to absorb and trap sediments around surrounding trenches or ponds, e.g., vetiver grass.
• Maintain a good drainage system around the holding house. Drains for rainwater should be diverted to avoid the contamination of rainwater.
• Treat wastewater before releasing it into the environment.
Wastewater can be treated in one of the following ways:
• Sedimentation using settling ponds, e.g., black tanks or constructed lagoons.
• Bio-digesters to treat the sludge and produce biogas.
• Dewatering of residuals and using wastewater treatment residuals in compost or as fertiliser.
Controlling air emissions
• Apply chemicals to litter weekly to reduce conversion of nitrogen to ammonia.
• Using aluminium sulphate (alum) is recommended. Alum can be applied to poultry litter when changed, at a rate equivalent to 5-10% the weight of manure. Where possible, manure can also be used in compost to reduce odour emissions.
• Collect dust: To prevent dust emissions, areas where dust will be created, e.g., feed grinding, should have systems in place to collect dust.
• Dirt roads should be wetted frequently to control dust.
• When wire mesh is used for construction pens, the sides exposed to neighbouring residences should be blocked to prevent dust from affecting residents.
Managing hazardous waste
Pesticides need to be managed carefully to prevent pollution and health hazards.
• Ensure there are systems to keep out pests, e.g., plug holes, seal gaps around doors and windows, use traps, barriers, etc. This will help to reduce the number of pesticides needed.
• Control pests by using natural predators.
• Practice good housekeeping in pens and other facilities to prevent the breeding of pests.
• Improve drainage to control mosquitoes.
• Assess whether or not the use of pesticides is necessary and the impact they have on the environment.
• Choose the pesticide that has the least negative impact.
We advise all poultry operators to take these Guidelines into consideration. If you are operating without a permit, we advise you to visit our office. Additionally, you can find the complete Guidelines on our website: www.epaguyana.org.
Remember, if you plan to set up or are operating a poultry rearing operation with more than 500 fowls then you need to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Environmental Authorisation.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
