OKITOI, L.O., H.M.J.UDO., E.A.MUKISIRA,. R. DE JONG, AND R.P.KWAKKEL
Abstract
The experiment evaluated the effects low input interventions on productivity, flock dynamics and bird offtake of indigenous chickens within households. Flocks within households were compared under different interventions: (1) daytime confinement and creep feeding of chicks using a coop or pen (CONF); (2) supplementation for the rest of the flock (SUPP), (3) vaccination against Newcastle disease (VACC) and their combinations. Interventions NCD, CONF, SUPP and their combinations significantly improved chick survival (%), egg production (Egg/h/yr) and weight gain(Wg). Chick survival, eggs/h/yr and Wg improved from 25.4% to between 55.5 - 91.6%; 66 to between 92.8 - 97.8 eggs/h/yr and 8.6 to between 9.3 - 14.6 g/b/d respectively. It was observed VACC had a negative effect in young chicks less than three weeks of age. Interventions improved flock sizes per household, into flock flows and offtake of birds per household. Wastage of birds was high in CONT. Improvements were attributed to reduced disease incidence; protection of young chicks against predators; increased vigour of creep fed chicks; hens too accessed creep feed, protein deficits addressed by supplementation and increased laying time for hens when chicks were hand reared. It suggests NCD as number one killer and a feed (protein) deficit in scavenging chicken production systems.
Key words:
Village, chicken, productivity ,interventions