Abstract:
The study was undertaken to establish the factors affecting local chicken production in Kapujan Sub County Katakwi district. Data was collected from 110 respondents by use of pretested questionnaires. To analyse collected data, SPSS version 16 software packages were used The results showed that respondents (50.9%) were between 35-50 years old. The proportion of female respondents was higher than males in the sub county, 64.5% and 35% respectively. The main occupation was mainly farming (68.2%) Most respondents had more than 10 years (85.5%) of experience in chicken production. Their literacy level was high as the majority (72.8%) attained primary and secondary education. Most farmers (75.5%) do not provide separate housing for their chickens. 85.5% of the respondents were feeding their chicken by scavenging-with additional supplements whereby 15.5% used bran of cereals, 41% kitchen leftovers,10.9% commercial supplements. 31.8% used cereal grains the supplements, were given irregularly (51.9%) watering of chickens was done by 79% of the respondents; 100% of the farmers reported to have experienced disease outbreak and many. did not often vaccinate their chicken against NCD. 45.5% of respondents left sick birds with the healthy ones while 31.5% attempted to treat by themselves. Provision of affordable vaccines and medicaments (4%) and quality feeds (23%) were farmer's suggestion to improve local chickens as well as shortage of improved veterinary services. Management practices such as supplementary feeding, Housing of chicken, and Frequency of vaccination of chicken significantly affected local chicken production in Kapujan Sub County training of farmers focusing, on, disease prevention, improved housing, feeding and watering of chicken, are highly recommended so as to improve production of chicken
