Indigenous Chicken Production Research Articles

Lucerne meal in the diet of indigenous chickens: a review

Indigenous chicken production consists of an array of activities important to smallholder poultry farmers in Africa. One of the many factors influencing their production and threating the local food security is in the area of nutrition, particularly, that related to protein supplementation. The available feed resources to farmers are not enough to sustain the productivity of the chickens. Hence, the chickens’ diets often require nutritional supplementation. There is therefore an urgent need for the validation of locally grown feed ingredients to improve the sustainability of poultry production in sub-Saharan Africa. A dietary ingredient that may be used in the diets of chickens is lucerne (Medicago sativa), which is also known as alfalfa. In South Africa, lucerne is the most cultivated forage legume and approximately 1.3 million metric tonnes of lucerne are produced per year. Lucerne has high nutritional value, as it is a source of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids. The potential of lucerne as a feed resource for indigenous chickens should, therefore, be investigated so that strategies to improve the nutrition of such chickens can be developed. The purpose of this review was to highlight lucerne as a potential dietary ingredient for indigenous chickens and discuss its effects on the productivity of broilers, egg-layers, and dual-purpose chickens.

Indigenous chicken production system in different agro-ecology of Indian Himalayan Region: implication on food and economic security.

The indigenous chicken production system (ICPS) has several use values and ecosystem services. In the last few years, ICPS has been recognized for its possible contribution to household food security, income generation, wildlife protection, and bettering the women's lives. This study aimed to collect, for the first time, comprehensive information about ICPS in three different agro-ecologies (tropical, sub-tropical, and sub-temperate) of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and its role in food and economic security of traditional communities. In this study region, ICPS is semi-extensive, providing homegrown feed and temporary night shelter. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, females owned non-significant (p = 0.170) more indigenous chicken flocks than males. Households in sub-temperate agro-ecologies had significantly (p ≤ 0.001) larger flock sizes and tropical livestock units (chicken-TLU). However, the livestock diversity index (LDI) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in tropical and subtropical agro-ecology. The households in the sub-temperate region highly (p ≤ 0.001) valued indigenous chicken because of its survivability and adaptability. In absolute numbers significant (p ≤ 0.001) higher numbers of adult birds died in past 1 year in sub-temperate agro-ecology. The mortality rate of adult birds in sub-temperate agro-ecology was 9%, and it was 14 and 15% in tropical and sub-tropical agro-ecologies, respectively. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, larger flock size translated into significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) egg production and subsequently a significant (p ≤ 0.001) higher egg consumption per household per month. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, households' dietary diversity score was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher. Similarly, the average annual income from ICPS was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in sub-temperate agro-ecology and accounted for 18% of household income. ICPS' marketing chain was relatively short in the sub-temperate region. In all agro-ecologies, indigenous chicken and egg demand was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in the winter. ICPS litter is used as farmyard manure, enhancing ecological resilience. In all agro-ecologies, the three most frequently cited obstacles to extending the indigenous chicken production system are illnesses, predators, and a lack of chicks availability. ICPS contributes to food and nutritional security, economic stability, and ecological resilience in this hilly and fragile ecosystem. Even though the system is self-sustaining, management and health interventions can increase production and productivity.

Indigenous chicken market participation and smallholder farmers’ well-being outcomes in Chiredzi and Mwenezi Districts of Zimbabwe

Climate change and extreme weather conditions remain major threats to the attainment of well-being outcomes such as food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, it is critical to identify and promote resilient value chains in order to ensure food security in the wave of extreme weather conditions such as drought. This study seeks to evaluate the effects of participating in indigenous chicken markets on smallholder farmers’ food and nutrition security in terms of household dietary diversity score. Cross-sectional data collected from 215 randomly selected farmers in Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts, Zimbabwe was used in this study. The endogenous treatment effect model was employed to determine the effects of market participation on household dietary diversity score. The findings showed that 76% of interviewed farmers participated in indigenous chicken markets. On average, participating in indigenous chicken markets increases the likelihood of having a higher household dietary diversity score by about 60%. This suggests that engagement in indigenous chicken value chain strengthens smallholder farmers’ resilience through attainment of food and nutrition security. Therefore, investment in capacity building of smallholder farmers to engage in indigenous chicken value chains should be prioritised and to support market engagement, indigenous chicken production contract arrangements with private firms should be promoted.

Assessment of Indigenous and Exotic Chicken Production Performance and Production Constraint at Aneded District of East Gojam, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Assessment of Indigenous and Exotic Chicken Production Performance and Production Constraint at Aneded District of East Gojam, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Characterization of indigenous chicken production and related constraints: Insights from smallholder households in rural Kenya

Indigenous chickens (IC) contribute significantly to nutrition and socioeconomic wellbeing of rural households. However, despite their potential, production remains low. Attempts to improve IC production among smallholder farmers in Makueni county, Eastern Kenya have achieved little success due to a variety of constraints. This paper explores IC production characteristics and compares the ranks assigned to production and marketing constraints across geographic regions and in male and female-headed households. A descriptive quantitative household survey of 1217 respondents drawn from IC rearing households was conducted and the results integrated with qualitative findings from 22 informants. Results showed an average flock size of 14.9 ± 15.94 IC per household, with female- headed households having relatively fewer chicken than male-headed households. However, relatively more chicken (15.9 ± 18.9) were lost per household during the last disease outbreak compared to the number kept at the time of study. Production system was largely free-range in nature with minimal provision of supplementary feeds. Disease (1.13±0.5), predation (3.16±1.9) and low market prices (3.89±1.9) were three top ranked (Mean Rank±SD) constraints in that order. Lack of capital, high cost of inputs, poor access to extension services and poor access to knowledge ranked significantly higher in female-headed households and in remote areas, while low market price ranked higher in male-headed households. Failure to agree on the selling price was the major constraint to marketing, while rejection of IC due to diseases, inability to agree on selling price and rejection due to size ranked higher in female-headed households compared to male-headed households. Interventions modeled towards improving biosecurity measures to curb diseases, financial empowerment and facilitating access to markets for smallholder farmers should be prioritized.

Management Systems and Productivity of Indigenous Chickens in Busokelo District, Mbeya Region, Tanzania

A study was conducted in Busokelo district, Mbeya region to assess the management systems and productivity of indigenous chickens under village management conditions. A total of 90 respondents from three purposively selected wards were involved in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and data collected included household characteristics and those related to chicken management practices including selection, housing, feeding, culling practices, marketing of chickens, diseases, and health care practices. Other information collected was the productive and reproductive traits of chickens. Data was entered into excel and analysis was carried out using SAS software [1]. The average chicken flock size was 29.88 with the flock dominated by chicks and few cocks. The majority of farmers were raising the chicken in scavenging (55.6%) and semi-intensive (40%) systems. More than half of the respondents reported practicing supplementation, providing drinking water, housing, and treating birds when they are sick. The average age at sexual maturity for male and female chickens was 6.93 and 7.24 months respectively. Clutch size per hen, hatchability, survivability, and annual egg production per hen per year was 14.4 eggs, 83.71%, 55.64%, and 46.6 eggs respectively. Indigenous chicken production in Busokelo district is largely practiced in small-scale semi-intensive and free-range systems with a reasonably good rate of adoption of good management practices such as supplementation, provision of housing, drinking water, and healthcare. The productive and reproductive performance of the chicken is within the range reported for most other indigenous chickens in Africa. However, chick mortality was observed to be very high due to diseases and predation. Improvement in management of chickens, especially young chicks is recommended to increase flock size and reduce loss due to high mortality.

Growth performance, mortality, and carcass yield evaluation of pure and reciprocal crosses between Sasso and Wassache chickens

The indigenous chicken production has become an integral part of smallholder farming systems in Africa. Their products are preferred due to their taste and flavor; crossbreeding using exotic breeds can improve the productivity of these chickens without sacrificing their genetic merits. This study was aimed at improving the Wassache chicken. F1 generations of the crosses between the Wassache and Sasso chickens were simultaneously evaluated for growth traits, mortality, and carcass yield in a pure and reciprocal cross design. Data on body weight, performance, and mortality were collected on 451 birds (Sasso × Sasso [SS] = 110; Wassache × Wassache [WW] = 113; Sasso × Wassache [SW] = 113 and Wassache × Sasso [WS] = 115) for 12 weeks. On the 12th week of the study, 20 birds from each genotype were dissected to determine carcass yield. All data collected were analyzed using Minitab 19. The results showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) values reported for the SS genotype in all parameters studied. Likewise, the reciprocal crosses showed higher performance in growth and carcass traits next to pure Sasso. However, the feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage of the hybrids did not differ (P < 0.05) from those of the SS and WW genotypes. Within the reciprocal crosses, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in all parameters measured except for hatch weight where the WS showed a higher (P < 0.05) hatch weight compared to the SW cross. The study encourages the crossbreeding of the Wassache and Sasso chickens for improved meat production in this region.

English

Smallholder indigenous chicken (IC) production systems have been associated with low productivity thereby contributing to food insecurity and reduced livelihoods.&nbsp; Despite this scenario, smallholder IC producers have been harvesting and feeding termites supplementarily. This study determined the demographic characteristics that influence the use of termites as protein supplement for indigenous chicken by smallholder farmers and evaluated the nutrient composition of the most commonly used termite species. Household surveys were conducted to collect data on the socio-demographic characteristics of the farmers and on the use potential of termites as protein supplement to IC. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the collected data using R (version 4.0.2) statistical software. The commonly used Agoro termites (Macrotermes subhylanus) were harvested using trapping method, sun-dried and subjected to proximate analysis. A total of 72.7% of the farmers use termites as a protein supplement to feed IC. Chi square tests for association showed that occupation and education level of the respondents had significant association with termite usage (&chi;2 =7.319, p-value = 0.042) and (&chi;2 = 15.241, p-value = 0.004), respectively. Agoro termites were found to be rich in protein (37.7%) and calcium (38.625mg/100g) and could be used as protein supplement for IC. Key words: Indigenous chicken, crude protein, supplement, Siaya, Kenya.

Household Baseline Survey on Indigenous Chicken Production Characteristics and Constraints in Busia and Machakos Counties of Kenya

Aims: To collect preliminary baseline data prior to validation of three climate-smart technologies.&#x0D; Study Design: A structured questionnaire was employed with participation of actors along the Indigenous Chicken value chain.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted from May 2019 to June 2020 within four (4) Sub-Counties in Busia and Machakos where high Indigenous Chicken populations are found.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 160 households were surveyed. Targeted household information was recorded viz: distribution of respondents by village in the Counties; farmer socio-economic factors; flock structure and characteristics; disease and parasite constraints, management practices; disease reporting and communication amongst recruited farmers.&#x0D; Results: Results revealed that 56.5% of the respondents were male and 43.5% were female wit mean age of 50 years. Most farmers had formal education (97%) and practiced semi extensive poultry farming system (59%). Both indigenous and exotic chicken (62%) were kept for income purposes (82.6%) and only young chicks received feed supplements (55.8%). Newcastle (18.5%) and coccidiosis (16.4%) comprised the two major disease constraints reported. Prevalent bird disease symptoms were diarrhea (24.9%) and coughing (23.1%) while mites (27.9%) and fleas (22.3%) dominated the ecto-parasites. Disease control strategies comprised: vaccines (72.8%), dewormers (44.9%) and ethno-veterinary medicine. Aloe secundiflora and Aloe feroxin, were singled out as locally available and effective means of treating diarrhea (62.9%), respiratory infections (61.9%) and worm control (64.5%). Most Indigenous Chicken farmers (76.8%) failed to report illnesses among their flock and did not access to health services (72.1%). Farmers accessed health information through radio (26.5%) as opposed to mobile phones (1.65%).&#x0D; Conclusion: Findings of this survey reveal a low-grade free-range poultry system characterized by poor disease control. This scenario calls for targeted efforts by both government and private stakeholders to improve Indigenous Chicken management and help farmers adopt alternative climatic smart disease control interventions.

Impact Assessment of Indigenous Chickens Production Interventions in the Semi-arid Regions of Zimbabwe: Case of Chivi District

Most communal farmers in Chivi district of Zimbabwe rear indigenous chickens. However, the impact of interventions by government and non-government partners remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess impact of indigenous chicken production in semi-arid areas with a focus on Chivi district. The research focused on indigenous chickens as the enterprise has the potential to increase rural population income and in turn improve the nutrition for the rural population. A total of 160 indigenous chicken farmers were sampled from a population of 1240 who received past interventions in trainings, feed and chicks or pullets from development partners and government using a survey questionnaire. Variables such as age, farmer experience, education, type of dwelling, maize, cattle, goats, supplementary feed, type of housing, resting of fowl run, vaccinations and type of hatching method were found to be significantly affecting sales rate. Indigenous chicken production was found to be weakly profitable as a positive gross margin was obtained. The study also revealed that value chain actors in indigenous chicken production had no processors. It was concluded that though indigenous chicken production was profitable, the above stated factors affect impact of indigenous chickens. The value chain map had no processors. Capacitating farmers on poultry management and availing credit to finance production and marketing players is important to improve indigenous chickens among smallholder farmers.

Current Status of Indigenous Chicken Production Performance, Opportunity and Challenges in Ethiopia

Current Status of Indigenous Chicken Production Performance, Opportunity and Challenges in Ethiopia

Indigenous chicken production in Fiji Islands: knowledge, constraints and opportunities.

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to understand and document socio-economic characteristics, production parameters, challenges and management practices used by Fijian households which keep indigenous chickens.MethodsA survey involving 200 households was carried out in coastal and inland communities of Fiji’s wet and semi-dry ecoregions. Data on the influence of ecoregion and location of households relative to the sea on management practices, challenges and productivity of indigenous chickens were analyzed using logistic regression and general linear model of SAS software.ResultsIrrespective of location relative to the sea and ecoregion, households indicated that they kept indigenous chickens for food and income generation. The Welsummer was the most (p>0.05) preferred breed. Households in the semi-dry inland communities had the largest (p<0.05) flocks compared to those in semi-dry coastal communities and the wet region. Chickens in the semi-dry region performed better (p<0.05) than those in the wet region in terms of number of clutches per year and mature live weight. Predators and feed shortages were the biggest challenges faced by households in all areas. The mongoose was ranked as the most (p>0.05) common predator followed by domestic dogs. Most households in the wet ecoregion’s coastal communities housed their chickens at night, whereas communities in semi-dry ecoregion housed their chickens most of the time (p<0.05). In all regions, no households sold their chickens to commercial markets (p>0.05). Households in semi-dry ecoregion were more likely (p>0.05) to sell their chickens at the local market place.ConclusionThe productivity of local chickens in Fiji is low because of feed shortage, predators such as the mongoose and lack of market linkages.

An analysis of factors that determines the choice of indigenous chicken (IC) owned by rural households in Alice Communal Area, South Africa

African indigenous chickens (IC) though commonly kept by households in rural areas for consumption and sale, their contribution to rural livelihoods is generally overlooked. Literature suggests that IC production plays a vital role in rural communities of South Africa as an important source of animal protein and income. Despite these claimed benefits, production of indigenous chickens in Alice and other parts of South Africa’s rural areas is very low. This study used a cross-sectional survey of 120 households who keep IC in Alice communal area. The multivariate probit model was employed to investigate the factors that determine the choice of indigenous chicken owned by rural households. Results reveal that, gender, age, household size, association membership, access to formal markets, access to veterinary services, access to informal credit, access to formal credit and diversity score drive ownership of different indigenous chickens at household level. Thus far, the paper argues that, promotion of ownership of indigenous chicken at household level calls for strategic institutional alignment and a clear understanding of social demographic characteristics of the targeted community, which should be supported by several awareness campaigns and client based selection of indigenous chicken breeds of socio-economic importance to the household.

Sustainable intensification of indigenous village chicken production system: matching the genotype with the environment.

The multi-purpose indigenous village chickens (IVCs) are kept in low- and middle-income countries. IVCs are hardy and are resilient to disease, hostile environment, global warming, and climate change. The IVCs are a little impacted by anthropogenic effects; consequently, they possess high genetic and phenotypic diversity. Likewise, the genetic structure of IVCs is principally shaped by natural selection, which enables them to accumulate high genetic polymorphism and to adaptively radiate. Regardless of this, the genetic wealth of IVCs has been eroded by indiscriminate crossbreeding. Emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases, flawed assumptions, predation, inadequate nutrition, poorly maintained night enclosures, and underdeveloped market infrastructure, and the overlooked multiple-use values and unique attributes of IVCs have threatened their mere survival. The IVCs lay a few eggs and produce less meat, which cannot meet the growing (existing) demand. However, the demand for IVC products is growing attributable to the flavor and texture of eggs and meat, and they are well-aligned with the subsistence farming system. The several use values and ecosystem services provided by IVCs have been increasingly realized. Enhanced production can be attained through sustainable use of local (genetic) resources and by scaling up and out best practices. Genetic improvement needs to mainly rely upon IVC genetic resources and should have to match the genotype with the environment. Moreover, it has to maintain the genetic polymorphism that has been accumulated for time immemorial to respond to unanticipated changes in the production system and consumers' demand. In this review, enhanced management, selection strategies, and genetic crosses including the crossing of commercial chickens with red junglefowl have been proposed to sustainably intensify the IVC production system.

Indigenous Chicken Productivity and Associated Farm-Level Attributes among Producers in the Western Parts of Kenya

Indigenous chicken production is an important sub-sector in Kenya. About 90% of rural communities keep indigenous chicken in small flocks. They provide the much needed high value protein and income for the rural households. Despite its importance; the productivity of the sub-sector greatly varies depending on the management systems deployed by the producers. The management systems are thought to be influenced by demographic; socio-economic and information literacy factors. This study investigated the potential links between these factors and indigenous chicken productivity in two regions in the Western parts of Kenya. The survey study adopted a descriptive approach. Semi-structured interview schedules were used to collect data from a sample of 106 smallholder producers. Purposive and multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select the participants from among producers who had shown interest in the commercialization of indigenous chicken following awareness meetings conducted by public extension agents in the two regions. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and correlation estimates using Kendalls’ tau-b and Goodman-Kruskalls’ Gamma coefficients. Gender; education levels; flock size; information literacy and access to markets had significant association (P &lt; .05) with some indigenous chicken productivity indicators that were investigated.

Characterization of Free-range Indigenous Chicken Production System in North-East India (Assam)

Characterization of Free-range Indigenous Chicken Production System in North-East India (Assam)

Response of the ileum transcriptome to fructo-oligosaccharides in Taiping chickens

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation intake of Taiping chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and its stimulating effects on ileum. 120 healthy chickens were randomly divided into two groups; control group (CT) and fructo-oligosaccharides group (FOS). At the 60th day of age, ileum mucosa of three chickens per group were collected and performed transcriptome profiling of Taiping chicken ileum mucosa using the Hiseq™ 2500 sequencing platform. Compared with CT group, 50 genes were differentially expressed in the FOS group. Ten of the differently expressed genes were further validated by RT-qPCR. In addition, gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analyses revealed that these differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched to drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, retinol metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, herpes simplex infection and valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis. The results of this study provided the help to our understanding application of fructo-oligosaccharides in indigenous chicken production and provide a theoretical basis for the genetic development of indigenous chickens.

Assessment of husbandry practice and egg production performance of indigenous chickens in urban and peri urban area of Guder town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

The study was undertaken from May up to July 2020 in Guder town of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to explore husbandry practices and egg production performance of indigenous chicken in the study area. A cross-sectional systematic random survey of 40 households was undertaken by using semi-structured and pre tested questionnaire. Information on management practices, production systems, egg production performances and constraints of indigenous chicken kept in Guder town was generated by semi-structured questionnaire. The primary data collected from house hold survey was processed and analyzed by using a statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0 software. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, ranking, standard deviation, and cross tabulation were used to analyze the data quantitatively. Data gathered through key informant interviews, focus group discussion and personal observation was analyzed qualitatively to strengthen data obtained from the household survey. Due to its small space and lower capital requirement sample household’s ranked chicken as the first important animals kept in the study area. The main purposes of keeping indigenous chicken in the study area were for home consumption followed by generation of income. The most important feed resources of indigenous chicken kept in the study area were feed obtained from scavenging, house hold wastes, the market left over, and industrial by products. Majority of the households accommodated their indigenous chicken in a separate house constructed for the confinement of the chicken. The higher mortality rate of indigenous chicken in the study area was caused by disease and predator. The most commonly happening and economically important disease in the study area was Newcastle. The commonly observed predators in the study area were cat and dog. Health and feed problems were the first and the second constraint of indigenous chicken production in the study area respectively. Therefore area based development involvement could help to increase the productivity of indigenous chicken and thereby improve the income of small holders.

RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis of ileum in Taiping chicken supplemented with the dietary probiotic.

Taiping chicken is indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), which was one of China's excellent poultry species. As the problems caused by the overuse of antibiotics become more and more concern, people begin to look for ways to replace them. Among them, probiotics and their preparations are the research hotspot to replace antibiotics. Probiotics can promote the absorption of nutrients, improve the ratio of meat to meat, resist and prevent diseases, and improve the intestinal tissue morphology. Here, we performed transcriptome profiling of Taiping chicken ileum which was given probiotics by using the Hiseq™ 2500 sequencing platform. A total of 18 genes were differentially expressed in the ileum under control group and probiotics group. Thirteen genes were upregulated with a range of fold change from 1.02 to 8.61, and 5 were downregulated with a range of fold change from - 1.06 to - 2.29. Ten of the differently expressed genes were further validated by qRT-PCR. In addition, Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that these differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched to bile secretion, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. This study will help us to understand the role of probiotics in indigenous chicken production and provide theoretical basis for the genetic development of indigenous chickens.

Helminthic parasites in indigenous chickens in Penang Island, Malaysia.

Indigenous chicken (Gallus domesticus) is reared for both its meat and eggs. Most consumers prefer the meat probably due to its specific texture and taste. The study was conducted to determine the presence of helminth parasites of 240 indigenous chickens (Gallus domesticus) obtained randomly from 12 divisions in Penang Island, Malaysia. Necropsy findings revealed 14 endoparasite species which parasitized these chickens namely, Acuaria hamulosa, Acuaria spiralis, Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Ascaridia galli, Brachylaima sp., Capillaria spp., Gongylonema ingluvicola, Heterakis gallinarum, Hymenolepis sp., Oxyspirura mansoni, Raillietina echinobothrida, Raillietina tetragona, Syngamus trachea and Tetrameres americana. The high abundance of helminth species observed in this study may be attributed to the free-range scavenging production system, where these indigenous chickens were exposed to intermediate or paratenic hosts of helminths which infect poultry. Besides, sustainable methods of helminthic control measure are necessary in order to enhance indigenous chicken production and eventually improve the economy of the rural farmers.