The impact of on-farm feed mixing practices on intensive chicken farming in Kawempe division, Kampala.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Kawempe division, Kampala District and it focused on intensive chicken farmers performing on farm mixing practices. The general objective focused to determine the, impact of on-farm feed mixing on intensive chicken farming in Kawempe Division. The specific Objectives were to establish common on-farm feed resources used by poultry farmers to make rations, to assess the cost effectiveness of on farm mixed, feed on intensive chicken farming and to determine on-farm feed mixing challenges faced by poultry farmers in Kawempe division. A semi-structured questionnaire, was administered to farmers after a pre-tested and the adjustments Were made. The farmers sampled were Purposively selected, Data was collected from farmers in wards where-on- farm feed' mixing was being practiced. Major findings were 36% of farmers contacted used maize bran, 9% maize bran and fish meal, Sunflower 5.3%, 8% cotton seed cake, 6.7 Rice bran and others 17.3. 60% of the ingredients (cotton seedcake, maize bran, Rice bran, and others) were, obtained from retailers. 22.7% from Grinding mills while as 15% wholesale 3%, others and 1% from factory. 58.7% respondents said that ingredients were expensive followed by moderately expensive (25.3%), very expensive (12%) and 4% revealed that the ingredients were not expensive 66% respondents revealed that the spoilage of the, feeds was less frequent as compared to 17%; not at all 8%, and 9% who said that the feeds get spoilt frequently, not at all and very frequently respectively, Poultry farmers in Kawempe division processed there feeds to have control of the nutritional quality of their rations for intensive chicken farming and during the study period, 60% of respondents contacted process their feeds very often, 28% often and 9% not at all If on farm feed mixing to be put on benefit, great effort is required to produce well balanced on farm mixed ration; The use of locally available feed resources should be considered a high priority thus reducing the costs of purchasing the ingredients and increasing the profitability of the enterprise.