Saritha Vankudoth
The widespread use of antibiotics in poultry farming has raised significant concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), animal health, and food safety. This study evaluated the effect of farmer training on disease management practices, antibiotic usage patterns, and poultry health outcomes in commercial poultry farms in Nalgonda district, Telangana, India. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 60 farms, categorized into trained (n = 30) and untrained (n = 30) groups. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, field observations, veterinary records, and hematological analysis. Trained farmers exhibited significantly better disease management practices, including higher vaccination compliance (92% vs. 63%), improved biosecurity measures, and greater reliance on veterinary consultation than untrained farmers. Antibiotic usage decreased by 35–40% in trained farms, with a shift from prophylactic to therapeutic use. Poultry health indicators improved markedly in trained farms, with lower mortality (4.8% vs. 9.6%), morbidity (11.2% vs. 21.5%), and feed conversion ratio (1.65 vs. 1.92). Hematological parameters indicated enhanced immune status and reduced physiological stress in birds from trained farms. A strong negative correlation (r = –0.71) was observed between biosecurity practices and disease incidence. The study concludes that training plays a crucial role in improving disease management, reducing antibiotic misuse, and enhancing poultry health and productivity. Strengthening capacity-building programs is essential for sustainable poultry production and effective mitigation of antimicrobial resistance.