Rural Poultry Production Research Articles

Ethnoveterinary practice of poultry birds in Ilara-mokin, Ondo-state Nigeria

Ethnoveterinary practices are important because they are easily available, inexpensive and effective, especially in rural areas where veterinary services are absent or irregular and expensive. The need to obtain information on ethnoveterinary practice in poultry in Ilara-mokin in Ondo State Nigeria formed the basis of the study. The study investigated the ethnoveterinary practice in poultry in Ilara-mokin, Ondo State Nigeria. Data used were collected from rural poultry farmers in the community using an open ended interview with the use of questionnaire and were analysed by means of simple average and percentages. The study revealed that female dominated 83.3% rural poultry production within age of 36-50 (50%) and no formal education (50%) and were mostly Christians (100%) and traders (55.56%). The ethnoveterinary practice in the study area include medicinal plants, palm oil, fire and so on. Seven medicinal plants belonging to seven families were discovered. The leaves, roots and fruit from the medicinal plants were used for treating poultry diseases. Ten diseases were discovered in poultry birds. Indigenous knowledge of the diseases in poultry birds were recorded. The economy of the state can be improved by increasing the health status of poultry birds.

Economic Importance of Backyard Poultry in Taluka Jhando Mari, District Tando Allahyar, Sindh

Present study was carried out to observe the economic importance of backyard poultry birds in rural areas of Taluka Jhando Mari district Tando Allahyar during the 2022. Objective: To determine the profitability of backyard poultry production in rural areas of Tando Allahyar. Methods: Our study was divided into two different parts (i) primary and (ii) secondary part. Primary category was based on collection of data by interview from respondents by filling questionnaire. Results: The results revealed that 70% of household poultry kept by female and 30% were males. The cost function was estimated using the OLS method. The model of study suggested that price of egg and price of per bird were recorded statistically significant whereas per bird cost was observed non-significant statistically. It was concluded that high egg producing poultry breeds such RIR, Playmouth, White leghorn must be raised in order to increase the production of household backyard poultry birds. Conclusions: It is also concluded that improvement in rural poultry germplasm will be highly effective in rural poultry production system in future and will be major business for completing the food security and nutritional diet in middle class population of our country. Government of Sindh should also encourage private sector poultry by providing loan and poultry feed on cheapest prices to improve the production of backyard poultry farmers and their livelihood.

Crossbred poultry adoption and impact: Evidence from Ethiopia

Growing efforts to achieve improved family poultry signify the importance of adoption and livelihood impact studies of crossbred poultry in Ethiopia. We employ the second panel Ethiopian Socioeconomic Survey (ESS) to study the determinants of crossbred poultry adoption and its significance for household well-being. Results show that female poultry managers, constrained in other productive livelihood options, are more likely to adopt crossbred poultry. Households that are relatively wealthier in terms of human resources, assets, and dwelling conditions are more inclined to adopt crossbred poultry. Access to advisory services, experience with other crossbred animals, and the size of the agricultural land are among other significant determinants. Concerning well-being outcomes, crossbred poultry adoption increases egg sales and revenue. The sample does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude any impact on food, non-food consumption, or investment in children's human capital. Predicted revenue from an extra layer chicken in crossbreed adopting households triples the predicted revenue from egg sales in local breed keeping households. Increasing average flock size twice by crossbred birds could generate an annual revenue equal to at least 10% of yearly consumption expenditure. These results suggest that flock sizes in rural family poultry production should be increased with more crossbred birds to sustain livelihoods significantly.

Assessment of Rural Poultry Production in Getso Ward, Gwarzo Local Government of Kano State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess rural poultry production in Getso Ward of Gwarzo Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria. Fifty (50) poultry farmers were selected and consulted with well structured questionnaire as a source of primary data. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results shows that majority (78%) of the respondents are female, married (84%), and have an average of 6-7 years of farming experience (76%). Majority (80%) is of age average of 31-50 years and have secondary school certificate (78%). The farmers don’t have any association and have never received any extension agent. All the respondents reported rearing broilers using deep litter system and are all vaccinating their poultry but still experiencing diseases such as Coccidiosis and Newcastle diseases. Majority (94%) was self selling the harvestable size bird at home, and 92% reported that they are targeting festive period for their production. None of them were keeping the record of the production, but still have the perception of profitability of the business. Lastly, it was recommended that extension agent should be sent to area for sensitization and public enlightenment about poultry production procedures. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-9-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Poultry Genetic Resources of India and its Role in Rural Poultry Production

Poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of Indian agriculture. Scientific, technological advancements and introduction of high yielding germplasm have led to great expansion of poultry industry in last few decades. However, now a day’s indigenous breeds are gaining importance due to increasing demand for their quality products. The peoples are ready to pay higher cost to egg and meat of indigenous breeds due to their quality and taste. Native breeds are acceptable by the local people since it suits their socio-cultural way of life. The traditional system of poultry production is still prevalent in the rural areas and is the backbone of rural poultry production. Presently the poultry farming have two distinct facets- the commercial – high input intensive production and extensive low-input rural/backyard poultry production. Each one is equally important, but has widely diverse input needs, especially the type of germplasm. Chicken and ducks are two major avian species in India used for production of eggs and meat both under un-organized and organized sector. The wide variation of agro-climatic conditions has facilitated the evolution and development of many poultry breeds out of which 19 chickens, 2 duck and 1 of geese have been registered.

Perceived impacts of climate change on rural poultry production: a case study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Rural farming households in developing countries frequently contend with multiple challenges, including a lack of resources, food insecurity, and poverty. Climate change threatens to compound existing challenges, particularly in such rural subsistence economies with limited adaptive capacity. We aim to establish farmers' perspectives on likely impacts of climate change on their rural poultry production in northern South Africa. A baseline questionnaire-based study was conducted across 106 households in the town of Musina, South Africa. Most households lacked reliable and adequate sources of income and had, for example, days when they had to skip meals as a coping strategy. With such poverty, coupled with poor access to scientific information on agricultural production, these farmers typically have limited capacity to adapt to shocks such as climate variability and change. Farmers reported a reduction in poultry productivity in recent years, coinciding with increased ambient temperatures. There are concerns that recent and ongoing warming trends will have negative impacts on the future growth and wellbeing of birds. However, the farmers in our study perceived their poultry as hardy and well adapted to survive any future climatic changes and may be uninclined to take adaptive action at this stage.

Evaluation of Crossbreeding Parameters for Immunocompetence and Serum Enzyme Profile in a Partial Diallel Cross Involving Three Genetic Groups of Chicken

Background: Poultry production in rural India is mostly a non-intensive venture comprising native chicken with low production potential but higher disease resistance and adaptability. Present study is attempted for developing a suitable cross for rural poultry production as well as identifying the genetic groups that are nicking well through a partial diallel cross. Methods: A partial diallel cross using three genetic groups/ breeds of chicken viz. coloured synthetic male line (CSML), Local native chicken (Desi) and CARI-Red as the parent lines was designed. CSML was used as male and CR as female line only. The progenies were evaluated for crossbreeding parameters viz. combining abilities and heterosis for immune response and serum enzyme profile to identify the best combining parent lines.Result: Significantly higher (P less than 0.05) cell-mediated (CMI) and humoral immune response (HIR) and immune organ (spleen, bursa of fabricius and thymus) weights were recorded in CR purebred followed by Desi purebred, while CSML purebred exhibited lowest immunity. Variances for SCA differed significantly (P less than 0.001) for HIR and immune organ weights. Inconsistent but significantly higher (P less than 0.01) serum enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and AST/ALT ratio were recorded in triple cross and D x CR. Variances for SCA differed significantly (P less than 0.05) for serum enzymes. Results revealed that the CARI-Red and Desi were the improver parent lines for better immunocompetence and serum enzyme profile, respectively in the crosses.

GROSS MARGIN ESTIMATION OF RURAL POULTRY PRODUCTION IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.

A Survey was conducted to obtain information on profitability of rural poultry production In Osun State. Two villages each from līve Local Government Areas were studied. One hundred poultry keepers served as the respondents to a structured questionnaire. Numerical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Average flock size was 17 birds and average feed supplementation cost per bird per fronth was N 7.70. Basket coops were the common type of Overnight housing provided and the depreciated cost was about N0.103 per bird per month. The average price of a mature cock was N79, hens and growers cost N29, respectively. The farmers were willing to pay N4.30 per bird for vaccination against Newcastle disease and N6.70 per kilogram of compounded feed. Gross margin estimation shows that the farmer realised a positive margin of N4.50 from the sale of growers at 3 months of age and N9.00 and N30.00 on hens and cocks, respectively, when sold at 6 months of age.

Distribution of TET, AAC and CTX-M Genes among Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated From Poultry under Various Farming System of A and N Islands

Background: Transmission of antibiotic resistance from animal food chain to human through animal food-borne pathogens have led to increased public concern. Wider surveillance on prevalence of antibiotic resistance in E. coli will provide information on evolution of resistance in various geographical locations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates from poultry under various farming system in A and N Islands and resistance genes of tet, ctx-M and aac encoding the isolates. Methods: Isolates were obtained from cloacal swabs in poultry under various farming systems and tested against major antimicrobial derivatives to study multi drug resistance. The presence of genes associated with resistance to tetracycline (tet A), ESBL (CTX-M) and Gentamycin (aac(3)-IV) were determined by PCR. Result: A total of 126 cloacal samples were analysed out of which 31.38% of the E.coli isolates from poultry under various farming systems were producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases and were multiple antimicrobial resistant. Poultry birds of commercial farms showed higher resistance levels (37.5%) than organised farms (24.76%) and desi birds (31.88%). Results indicate a high level of multi-drug resistance is emerging even in desi birds. It is suggested that an antimicrobial resistance surveillance program is needed in A and N Islands in order to detect bacterial resistance among rural poultry production as the 80 percentage of total poultry population belong to desi birds.

Factors Affecting Women Access to Agricultural Extension Services: Evidence from Poultry Producer Women’s in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia

Rural poultry production is an appropriate system for supplying the fast-growing human population with quality food and provides additional income to resource-poor farmers, especially women to impr...

Response of domestic chickens to fasting and non-fast moulting programmes in a humid tropical environment

The study evaluates the effect of fasting and non-fasting (Zn supplementation) moulting methods on performance of indigenous (IC) and Shaver brown (SB) hens in the hot humid tropical environment of Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria. One hundred and twenty indigenous and Shaver brown hens (60/genotype) aged between 75 and 80 weeks were shared into three groups (20/group), T : hens fed layers diet at 125 g/bird/day (control group), T : hens fed 1 2layers mash supplemented with 20,000ppm Zn as ZnO at 125 g/bird/day for 14 days, and T : 3 hens subjected to feed deprivation (FD) for 14 days. Water was given ad libitum to all birds. Data analyzed were pre-moult and moulting body weight, hen day egg production (HDEP), and egg weight. Moulting method significantly (p<0.05) affected body weight in SB but not in indigenous hens; hen day egg production and day to stoppage of egg production in bothgenotypes with FD resulting in greater loss in body weight and an early cessation of egg production compared to zinc supplementation. Shaver Brown hens subjected to ZnO and FD lost 15.6 and 26.7 % of their initial body weight, respectively while IC lost 16.2 and 32.6 %, respectively. Hen day egg production was 0.00 ± 0.00 % in the last week of moulting in SB and IC moulted by FD but 8.32 ± 6.47 % for SB and 10.71 ± 3.25 % for IC moulted by ZnO. Egg production stopped on day 10 (D10) and 6 in SB hens submitted to ZnO and FD, respectively and on D13 and 5, respectively for the IC. In conclusion, zinc supplementation at 20,000ppm in the diet of laying chickens as moulting agent is a milder but equally effective moulting method as fasting and is recommended for intensive commercial and rural indigenous poultry production.

Quality Characteristics of Breast and Thigh Chicken Meat from Free- Range System: Comparative Antioxidant Profile of Indigenous and Improved Germplasm

Background: New chicken breeds are being evolved for backyard rural poultry production to overcome the slow growth, late sexual maturity and poor production of indigenous breeds. However, autochthonous poultry is epitomized for quality attributes of their products. With this in mind, the present study for the first time explored the antioxidant capacity of meat obtained from a unique Indian chicken, Kadaknath and a synthetic breed of poultry, Jabalpur colour (JBC). Methods: During the period 2018-2020, breast and thigh meat were collected from chickens (n=20/ group) at their commercial slaughter age (20 weeks). Meat extract was used for qualitative evaluation. Antioxidant activity was explored using five well established in vitro methods testing for different antioxidant mechanisms. Result: Both, Kadaknath and JBC meat was proteinaceous with higher protein concentration (g/100 g of wet weight) in the breast (Kadaknath, 25.21±0.31 and JBC, 25.65±0.39) than the thigh (Kadaknath, 19.98±0.29 and JBC, 19.04±0.23). Both the groups exhibited antioxidant capacity in all the assays. They showed good radical scavenging for ABTS and DPPH free radicals. Superiority of Kadaknath meat was ascertained unequivocally by the three assays viz. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), lipid oxidation inhibition (TBARS) and metal chelating capacity. FRAP values (mM Fe2+/g of tissue) were 26.97±0.37 and 33.85±0.47 (Kadaknath) and 22.84±0.25 and 26.82±0.36 (JBC) for breast and thigh, respectively. Similarly, Kadaknath meat was more potent (% inhibition) iron chelator (breast, 62.71±0.99 and thigh, 75.07±0.98) in comparison to the JBC (breast, 46.30±2.36 and thigh, 63.12±1.87). Breast meat had better scavenging capacity than the thigh except in FRAP and metal chelating assays. Results provide insight into the antioxidant potential of backyard poultry germplasm thus, laying foundation for developing marketing strategies targeting consumers interested in nutritional quality, animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, baseline data has been generated for studying medicinal properties attributed to the black chicken meat of Kadaknath.

Effect of PMEL17 Plumage Colour Gene Diversity on Production Performance of Indigenous Chicken Variety of Bangladesh

Background: An adaptive meat and egg type indigenous chicken is crucial for countries those depends on rural poultry production for meeting the protein requirements of the peoples. Genetic characterizations of native chickens have been documented, however, no study has observed the plumage colouration and its potential role in production traits. Thus, the aim of the current study was to know the effect of PME17, plumage colour gene diversity on production performance of indigenous chicken varieties.Methods: The plumage colours, comb and body shape of chickens corresponds with the live weight and egg production (clutch size) and the egg characteristics were recorded. Gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed from blood cell DNA following standard protocols. The PCR products were sequenced using Sanger sequencing and for molecular analysis MEGA6 software were used. Result: Highest live weight (1400±25.4 g) and egg production (15.3±0.9 /number /clutch) was obtained in spotted-single-round chicken than other varieties. Both external and internal egg characteristics differed between varieties and spotted- single-round variety found to be best than other varieties. The sequence of PMEL17 gene was 99% homology with the sequence of Gallus gallus and Gallus gallus domesticus. A mutation was observed at 91bp nucleotide in brownish and at 64bp positional nucleotide and in black-white chicken variety.

Demonstration on Himsamridhi variety of chicken under rural poultry production in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Demonstration on Himsamridhi variety of chicken under rural poultry production in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Current scenario of rural backyard poultry farming in selected villages in Salem district of Tamil Nadu

Backyard poultry rearing in India has become an important role in uplifting the socio-economic status and also meet the domestic and cultural needs of the people. A study was undertaken with the overall objective to study the existing status of rural poultry production and to identify the constraints perceived by poultry owners in selected villages in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India. The investigation was conducted in randomly selected ten villages of Omalur taluk, Salem District, Tamil Nadu. Data were collected through On Farm Testing and Structured interview schedule from 200 respondents from 10 villages. The analysis of collected data revealed that majority of the respondents were of middle to old aged, educated between secondary to higher secondary school levels and maintaining a flock size of about 20-30 birds in their backyard with medium level of experience. Further, all the respondents practiced backyard poultry as their additional source of income. Women employment was more through backyard poultry farming.The major constraints identified were higher incidences of poultry diseases, lack of continuous supply of germplasm and attack by predators.

Assessment on rural poultry production and marketing system of Horro chicken ecotypes in Western Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess production and marketing system of Horro chicken ecotypes, and to determine poultry health and marketing constraints across different agro-ecologies of western Ethiopia. A total of 360 householders were interviewed for the survey in Horro area (western Ethiopia) where the Horro chicken ecotypes are mainly found; the sample size was determined using proportionate sampling technique. Household characteristics studied indicated that 87.45% household heads were males and about 90.32% of householders’ age group were between 20 and 60 years. Household heads whose ages lie below 20 and above 60 yrs were very small (9.68%). The low proportion of these age group might be because of the age category below 20 yrs and above 60 yrs are age groups before marriage and after retirement, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of the family size of the study area was 6.19±2.16; where a mixed crop-livestock production system was the main stay in the area. Agricultural landholding ranges between 0 and 10 hectares and per-household landholding was 1.68±1.50. The mean per household landholding in the highland agro-ecology is 2.36 ±1.59; however, the mean chicken flock size was the least. The large per household landholding at highland matches the largest mean cattle herd size (10.64 ± 4.93) as opposed to chicken flock size. This might be because of the use of cattle for cropland preparation. About 90.85% producers rear chickens for sale, which was for an immediate income generation and savings. Horro chickens in addition to low productive performance were constrained with poor housing (where only 7% of producers had separate poultry houses), insufficient feed supplement and poor health management. Chickens were exclusively scavenging for feed and about 83.82% of poultry producers interviewed responded that they were not satisfied with veterinary services delivery. Key words: Agro-ecology, chicken-ecotypes, Ethiopia, Horro chicken, traditional-management.

Evaluation of Loss in Vigour of the Dual Purpose French Guinea Fowl and Their Mixed Genetic Grade in Katsina, Nigeria

The effect of genetic grade (strain) on body weight and body linear measurements of the pure grade dual purpose French guinea fowl strain (116 birds) and their mixed genetic grade (32 birds) was determined using a linear mathematical model. Birds were raised under intensive system in Katsina state. Loss in vigour of the pure grade dual purpose French guinea fowl was calculated by difference. There was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of strain (genetic grade) on body weight and body linear measurements. The pure grade dual purpose French guinea fowl cocks and hens had significantly higher body weight and most body linear measurements than counterpart dual purpose mixed genetic grade guinea fowl cocks and hens. The pure grade dual purpose French guinea fowl cocks and hens had lower coefficients of variation (7.76 and 9.60 %) than the dual purpose guinea fowl cocks and hen mixed genetic grades (13.11 and 13.54 %). The dual purpose mixed genetic grade guinea fowl cocks and hens had longer helmet length than counterpart pure grade dual purpose French guinea cocks and hens. Strain (genetic grade) had no effect on tail length of guinea hens. There were high loss of vigour (56.25 and 57.69 %) of helmet thickness followed by (28.82 and 37.38 %) for body weight of the dual purpose French guinea fowl cocks and hens. Body length (3.76 and 0.56 %) and thigh length (4.22 and 1.85 %) respectively for guinea fowl cocks and hens, were the morphometric traits that had the lowest reduction in vigour among all quantitative traits evaluated. The dual purpose French guinea fowl and their mixed genetic grade had higher body weight than counterpart local guinea fowl strains. Introduction of the dual purpose French guinea fowl into the tropics can aid the diversification of rural poultry production.

English

The aims of the study were to characterize the socio-economic features of village chicken producers, types of chicken production systems, flock management practices, family task sharing and production constraints in lowland, midland and highland of Ethiopia. Data were collected at 360 rural households of which 120 were from lowland, 160 midland and 80 highlands. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the data using person to person interview method. The extensive chicken management system was predominant in all of the three agro-climatic zones. Most of the studied parameters were different (P<0.01) across agro-climatic zones. Based on the whole data set, 77.9% of the households practiced an extensive form of chicken management system. However, the proportion was much higher (90%) in lowlands. From the visited 360 poultry farms, 96% of them had native chicken breeds, 3% had exotic chicken breeds and the remaining 1% had crossbreds. Chicken ownership was pre dominated by rural women than men in all of the three agro-ecological zones. Regarding family task sharing in rural poultry production systems, women were responsible for 47.9 to 77.6% of farm activities. The major production constraints and/or problems were the lack of high performing chicken breeds and disease occurrence during the period in which this study was carried out. Newcastle disease was the most prevalent health problem at 61% of the visited farms and it was highly important in all of the three agro-ecological zones. Our findings will support agro-ecology based interventions for improving village chicken management systems and enhance their economic contributions to the farmers. Key words: Agro-climatic zone, flock management, production constraint, production system, task sharing, village chicken.

Serological Detection of Newcastle Disease Virus Antibodies in Local Chickens and Guinea Fowls in the Area of Kumasi, Ghana

Newcastle Disease (ND) has been identified as a major constraint to local poultry production with its impact being felt more in rural poultry production which forms about 80% of Ghana poultry population. However documented evidence on ND virus activity in rural poultry in Ghana is still lacking. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the level of circulating antibodies against ND using the Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) technique. Sera collected from unvaccinated 292 chickens and 153 guinea fowls randomly selected from households and a live bird market in Kumasi and its environs were evaluated for Newcastle disease virus antibodies. Results showed 81.8 % (239/292) of local chickens and 24.2 % (37/153) of guinea fowls tested positive for ND antibodies. Comparison was made between the seroprevalence of ND antibodies in household and live bird market as well as between sexes. Significantly higher prevalence rate (p<0.05) was observed with chickens sampled from households compared to those from the live bird market. Higher ranges of titers were also observed in chickens from households than those from live bird markets. The presence of ND antibodies in these unvaccinated local chickens and guinea fowls indicated the presence of the virus amongst the rural poultry population, hence aneed for improvement in vaccine campaignand delivery against ND for rural poultry especially with the use of thermostable and improved oral or feed-based vaccine delivery systems.

An overview of the health and management challenges of rural poultry stock in North Central Nigeria

Objectives: Poultry production in rural areas is considered as an important source of livelihood for most rural communities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the major factors affecting production of rural poultry in three senatorial districts in North Central Nigeria namely Kwara Central, Kwara South and Kwara North. Materials and Methods: The major factors affecting production of rural poultry were investigated using structured questionnaire to gather data on health and management practices between January to December 2014. Results: The socio-economic characteristics of respondents showed that majority of rural poultry farmers are women and illiterate, that sourced fund from their personal savings, relations and friends. The study also showed that seasonal variation and disease significantly influenced poultry production and its marketability. Conclusion: There is the need to put in place enabling environment to encourage commercialization of rural poultry production in Nigeria and globally. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c127