Role of Rodents in Poultry Environs and their Management

Commercial poultry production is rapidly expanding worldwide to meet the needs of the increasing human population. Further, with the reduced cost and enhanced incomes the per capita poultry meat consumption is increasing. Many poor and middle class farmers in developing countries are taking up poultry to supplement their income and this industry has become a major income source to them. The industry has been growing at 2-3% per year and is expected to continue expansion in the foreseeable future. Global poultry production is anticipated to increase 1.8 percent to 106 million tonnes in 2013 [1]. As per Global Production Trends in 2012, the egg production in the world was about 65.5 million tonnes and Asia took a share of 38.3 million tonnes (58.5%). The egg industry growth from 2000 to 2011 was 2.6 per cent per year compared to global growth of 2.3 per cent. India, second in egg production in Asia, produced 3.49 million eggs during 2011. In India the production has increased from 2 million tonnes in 2000 to 3.5 million tonnes during 2011 with an average growth of 5 to 6 per cent per year [2]. This large poultry industry requires extensive housing for the birds to increase the meat and egg production. This intensive production by housing a large number of individuals in relatively small area generates large quantities of wastes (manure, used litter, dead birds) and provides favourable environment for the exponential growth of arthropod and rodent pests. Hence, effective pest management became an essential component for poultry industry. An attempt is made in this review to identify the existing rodent problems as pests as well as vectors transmitting zoonotic diseases, the existing planning strategies and management measures to achieve food and health security. Poultry pests