Assessment of the factors that have led to low productivity of local breeds of chicken in Wakiso district :

Abstract

A study’s main objective was to assess the factors that result to low performance of indigenous breeds of chicken production in farmer’s livelihood in Wakiso sub-county, Wakiso district. The data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire which was administered to 57 respondents, data was analyzed by descriptive statistical methods, were percentages and figures were got. Farmers with chicken flock ranging from 6 to 62 were selected and care was put on the birds of five months and above. The results indicate that Majority of the respondents were female (70%) and male (30%), and birds were kept for home consumption (89%), commercial and subsistence (11%). Indigenous chicken ranking as source of income was tertiary (94.7%), secondary (5.3%) and primary (0%) and majority had spent above 20 years in farming (38%),5-10 years (30%), less than 5 years (23%) and 11-20 years (9%). the production system was majorly extensive (94%) and intensive (6%). Majority of the chicken was reared with the purpose tertiary (94.7%), secondary (5.3%) and primary (0%). Most of the chicken reached sexual maturity at mean of 7.4months for male and 6.8months ranging from 6-9months and 5.5-8months for male and female respectively, the average of the first mating for cocks was at 7.8months and the first laying was at 7.4months for hens. The mean clutch size was 10.6eggs per hen with 3 clutches in a year, laying an average of 49.9eggs per year and the average body weight for mature cocks (adult) was 1778.4g and 1265 for adult hen. The hatchability was high (89.2%) and the chick survival rate was 53.2% well as at the age 6.6 weeks’ majority of the hens had weaned their chicks, the mean egg weight was 39.7g. the parameters indicate low productivity which is typical of the extensive management of the indigenous chicken production. The study found out presence of parasite and diseases, lack of information on advisory services, poor health and absence of reliable source of vaccines, poor and absence of feeds that result to low performance of local breeds of chicken, and various ways of improving on productivity such as carrying out proper hygiene in the chicken house, consultation from extension workers and following regular vaccination schedule. Based on the findings, we suggest some policy recommendations. We recommend that there should be public information and education programs on indigenous poultry production, there is need to inform indigenous poultry farmers on better method of improving the performance of indigenous chicken.