A Survey of Small-scale Layer Production Systems in Botswana

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A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to investigate small-scale layer production systems in Botswana. The survey covered layer farms in the districts of Francistown and Letlhakane in the eastern part of Botswana, and examined aspects of productivity parameters, housing, management and diseases. The average hen day production in small-scale layer farms was 71.7% and the average daily feed intake was 108.1 g per hen. An average of 1 740 g feed was required to produce one dozen eggs. Hens were culled after 52 weeks in production (around 78 weeks of age). During this period, a hen produced an average of 245 eggs. These productivity levels were well below the standards indicated by the breeding companies. The average mortality from 18 weeks of age to culling was 8.46%. Diseases or conditions reportedly associated with these deaths included Newcastle Disease, prolapse of the uterus and enteritis. Factors responsible for the poor layer performance under small farm conditions in Botswana are clearly complex, but poor managerial skills, irregular feed supply and, poor quality of feed and pullets are major contributing reasons. The lower production levels, however, suggest that there is considerable potential for improvement. survey, small-scale poultry operations are defined as Although the Government has actively supported the those valued up to P75 000 (P1.00 = US$0.179) in terms expansion of the poultry industry under the auspices of of fixed assets and flock sizes of less than 2 000 hens. Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) for the past two Small-scale projects were selected because these decades, the commercial production systems have comprise about 80% of the total poultry projects and never been characterized. Over the years, the Ministry of have a significant employment and income generation Agriculture has used several production indices for the role for the rural-based population of Botswana. No budgeting of small-scale layer projects. The average reliable data is available on the exact number of small- hen-day production is considered to be 75%, and it i s scale layer projects in Botswana, but it is thought around assumed that each bird consumes 120 g of layer feed 80 projects are currently in operation. Of which about 30 per day with a hen-housed production of 300 eggs (MOA, 1999). How closely these assumed standards compare with actual farm productivity levels is not known. The present study was initiated with the objective of obtaining baseline information on specific aspects of productio n systems and productivity in small-scale commercial poultry operations in Botswana.