Farmer’s perceptions on the effectiveness of aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera) in controlling protozoan parasites in broilers

Author

Madzore, Charity

Title

Farmer’s perceptions on the effectiveness of aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera) in controlling protozoan parasites in broilers

Abstract

Most small holder farmers lack the funds to buy commercial veterinary drugs, the poultry industry continuously suffers economic loses as a result of protozoan infections, therefore the need for finding effective alternatives is crucial. The study’s main aim was to determine the perceptions of farmers on the effectiveness of Aloe Vera in controlling protozoan parasites in broilers. The research was conducted in Masvingo province, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires were used to gather data from sixty broiler farmers, fifteen from each of the four randomly selected wards. The SPSS software was used to analyse the data and quantitative results were displayed as descriptive statistics in bar graphs using the Microsoft Excel and qualitative data were organized into themes. Seventy four percent (74%) of the interviewed farmers reported that Aloe Vera is able to control protozoan parasites in broilers. The study’s findings also revealed that administering Aloe Vera to broilers had some perceived negative effects, such as, reduced feed (23%) and water consumption (8%), diarrhoea (54%) as well as abnormal behaviour (15%). It was also discovered that majority of broiler farmers, that is 67%, learnt about the potential health benefits of Aloe Vera to broilers through social media platforms (Whatsapp and Facebook) as well as verbally from grandparents and friends because the information is not well-researched and marketed. The study’s conclusion was that farmers believe Aloe Vera to be a useful ethno-veterinary treatment for managing protozoan infections in broilers.

Date

September 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Aloe Vera

Poultry production

Protozoan parasites

Ethno-veterinary medicine

Supervisor

Mr. M. Dhliwayo