Factors limiting local chicken production and marketing in Lwasso sub-county Mbale district

Abstract

The study was conducted in Lwasso sub-county, Mbale district from March to April 2015 with the principle objective of determining the factors limiting local chicken production and marketing. The specific objectives were to establish chicken management practices, to establish the different chicken types kept by farmers and to determine constraints to chicken production. The target population was farmers who reared local chicken. A total of 100 households were randomly sampled and interviewed using questionnaire. Results of the study revealed that most farmers practiced extensive management system (47%) and (02%) were not sure of the management system they were practicing. Local chicken were kept by 58% of the farmers; followed by exotic breeds (22%) and crosses (16%). Major challenges to local poultry production were Poor housing for birds at night (96%) inadequate feeds and feeding (2Z%), limited-space to increase on the stock (if chicken (12%), row prices (55%); and limited market for eggs (22%), poor road network (14%) and bad weather (0.9%). Among diseases, Coccidiosis posed the biggest threat affecting (49%) of the poultry, followed by Newcastle disease (3.9%) and Fowl typhoid (2%). A number of measures were suggested to help farmers cope with the challenges. They constituted distribution of chicken feeds (27%); farmer training (29%)~ drug distribution (23%) and spraying to kill parasites (11%); However, the following recommendations can be followed to improve on production of local chicken in Lwasso sub-county. These include: A shift from extensive to intensive management so as to increase' production of local chicken in Lwasso sub- county, great need for serious interventions in disease control to reduce losses. This could be through improvement of veterinary and advisory services and changes in management techniques including quantifying feeds and provision of balanced feeds, proper housing and appropriate health care.