Factors limiting commercialisation of small scale poultry farming in Kaderuna sub-county Budaka District

Abstract

The study was conducted with a view to identify factors that limited commercialization of small scale poultry production in selected villages of Kaderuna sub-county, 100 farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using questionnaires. Interview and observation guides were also used to obtain data. The study was conducted between the months of February and May 2015, Poultry diseases stood as the major, challenge by 98% of the farmers in form of Newcastle disease and Gumboro and mainly in the dry season, though farmers 52% attempted to treat birds themselves using traditional, commercial and human medicine, they only consulted veterinary personnel when birds failed to recover: Birds scavenged and sometimes. 92% of the farmers, supplemented them with leftover food, field grains, commercial feeds and vegetables which were of poor quality, given mostly on ground surface by 9.5% of the farmers and others used dirty troughs, broken jerry cans, pots and plates. Due to, poor and irregular extension services; as only 15% of tile farmers had access to extension services, they lacked awareness about all the aspects of poultry production like feeding health, housing, breeding and marketing, Other limitations were accidents from vehicle, bicycles and motorcycles, theft and vermin incidences, Based on this, it was concluded that feeding diseases and extension service delivery limited commercial poultry production arid remained serious issues in the study area. It was thus recommended that, conscious efforts should be put up by fanners to ensure, safety of their birds and good feeding routine for increased productivity and beneficial returns, with the guidance of the subject matter specialists like animal husbandry and veterinary officers