Antibiotic Use in Kenyan Poultry Farming: Key Insights and Challenges

A recent study analyzing antibiotic practices among smallholder poultry farmers in Kenya reveals critical insights into usage patterns, accessibility, and risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here’s what you need to know:

Key Findings​

1. High Antibiotic Use:
   • 54.7% of farms reported using antibiotics in the last two months, mostly for treating infections (73.3%), with 21% for prevention.
   • Common antibiotics: Tylosin, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and trimethoprim were most frequently used.
2. Mixed Ingredients & Risks:
   • 43% of antibiotic brands sold in veterinary stores contained multiple antibiotic ingredients (fixed-dose combinations), raising concerns about multidrug resistance.
   • Some brands even combined antibiotics with vitamins, blurring lines between health supplements and treatments.
3. Predictors of Antibiotic Use:
   • Farms were more likely to use antibiotics if they:
     • Kept mixed poultry species.
     • Used disinfectants (paradoxically linked to higher use).
     • Reported rodent infestations.Had a vaccination history (suggesting proactive yet unguided health management).
4. Easy Access to Drugs:
   • 95% of farmers lived within one hour of a veterinary store using motorized transport; 40% were within 15 minutes.
   • Stores often lacked trained staff: 32.6% had no animal health-trained personnel.

Implications & Recommendations​

• AMR Threat: Overuse of antibiotics, especially unregulated combinations, heightens resistance risks, threatening animal and human health.
• Policy Gaps: Urgent need to regulate antibiotic marketing, ban unjustified fixed-dose combinations, and improve veterinary oversight.
• Farm-Level Solutions:
  • Biosecurity investments (e.g., rodent control, sanitation) to reduce disease outbreaks.
  • Farmer education on prudent antibiotic use and alternatives like vaccines.
• Opportunities in Accessibility: Proximity to drug stores could be leveraged for better veterinary care (e.g., diagnostics, herd health programs).

The Big Picture​

Antibiotics are deeply integrated into smallholder poultry systems as a “farm input” rather than a last-resort treatment. Tackling AMR requires multi-pronged strategies:

• Regulatory action to curb inappropriate sales.
• Economic incentives for farmers to adopt sustainable practices.
• Community engagement to shift perceptions of antibiotics.

This study underscores the balance between accessibility and stewardship in Kenya’s growing poultry sector.

Read the full study: DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.100987

Let’s prioritize smarter farming practices to safeguard both animal health and global antibiotic efficacy.