Small-scale Poultry Production Research Articles

IMPACT OF PROVINCIAL LIVESTOCK PROGRAM ON MOUNTAIN PROVINCE LIVELIHOODS: REVIEW

This literature review examines the role of livelihood projects, particularly focusing on small-scale poultry production and livelihood diversification initiatives, in promoting poverty alleviation and enhancing food security in Sub-Saharan Africa and Mountain Province, Philippines. Various studies have highlighted the potential of small-scale poultry farming to uplift rural communities by providing alternative sources of income and nutrition. However, challenges such as disease control and market access must be addressed to maximize the impact of these projects. Similarly, livelihood diversification efforts in Uganda offer opportunities for income generation and poverty reduction but require supportive policies and resources. Additionally, the enactment of Provincial Ordinance No. 264, known as the Barangay Muna Program, by the Provincial Government of Mountain Province underscores a proactive approach to addressing socio-economic needs at the grassroots level. By leveraging local resources and governance structures, these initiatives aim to promote equitable development, social cohesion, and inclusive growth within their respective contexts. Overall, this review underscores the potential of livelihood projects to foster sustainable development and improve the well-being of communities in diverse geographical settings.

Climate Change and Small Scale Poultry Production in Selected Local Governmentareas of Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined climate change and small scale poultry production in selected local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A sample size of 100 poultry farmers were selected using multi stage sampling technique with the aid of a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential Statistics. The result of the study showed that dehydration of birds was the most challenging effect of climate change on poultry production perceived by poultry farmers with the mean value of 4.77. Giving plenty of water and providing heat source in poultry house were the mostly used adaptation strategy with 99% and 86% respectively. Double-log function was the lead equation with R-square (0.7882) and Feed, stock capacity, hired labour, depreciation, adaptation strategies, and age were the significant variables that affects adaptation strategies. The probability of farmers choosing management/medication adaption strategies against climate change increased with the farmers’ years of experience and number of birds, the severe constraints faced by poultry farmers in the study area include high cost of feed and limited capital. The study recommends involvement in cooperatives by poultry farmers in order to be kept abreast with new innovations and have easy access to loans to better their poultry production.

Sustainable Livestock Production in Nepal: A Focus on Animal Nutrition Strategies

In many developing countries, the livestock sector plays a vital role in the national economy, providing a source of food, income, and employment. With changes in demographical, socio-economic, and environmental status, the livestock sector in the developing world is facing challenges of low productivity and has become both a culprit and a victim of undesirable climate change impacts globally. In this paper, we will review the status of Nepalese livestock production systems and evaluate possible livestock species-specific strategies to promote a more productive and sustainable livestock sector in the future. In Nepal, the livestock sector is deemed essential to alleviate poverty and improve the nutritional status of the population, as in many other developing countries. However, there is a need for substantial improvements in livestock productivity, in particular improvement of feeding strategies to exploit the genetic potential of livestock. For ruminants, the important issue is to improve nutritional value and hence utilization of existing feedstuffs. Use of, e.g., urea, molasses, and enzymes to improve feed digestibility and implementation of technologies to effectively preserve biomass from forages that are only seasonally available are necessary strategic measures. Identification and use of novel anti-methanogenic feed ingredients will be crucial to develop a ruminant livestock sector that is not only productive, but also environmentally sustainable. For monogastric animals, the development and use of novel protein feed ingredients, such as insects raised on indigestible (for monogastrics) plant residues, should become part of future feeding strategies in support of a circular bioeconomy and improved productivity, not least in small scale poultry production. Future policies should also include a strong focus on capacity building and development of research infrastructure, and promotion of collaborative activities among research and industry sectors to establish a productive yet sustainable livestock sector in Nepal.

Knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use among small-scale poultry farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study examined the knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use among small-scale poultry farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 88 poultry farmers. The interview schedule was used for data collection. Respondents' indices of knowledge of antibiotic use (KABU), antibiotic resistance (KABR) and antibiotic use practices (PABU) were determined. Binary logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect of socio-demographics of respondents, knowledge of antibiotic use and knowledge of antibiotic resistance on the likelihood that farmers use antibiotics inappropriately. All poultry farmers studied used antibiotics for growth promotion, disease prevention, and treatment. The mean index of KABU was 0.54 with 48 % of the respondents having good KABU while the mean index of KABR was 0.65 and 70.5 % of the farmers had good KABR. The farmers’ mean index of PABU was 0.47 and 83 % of them used antibiotics inappropriately. Farmers with good KABU (OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.030–17.222) and KABR (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.258–15.791) were more likely to misuse antibiotics than those with poor knowledge. Antibiotics are routinely, and on many occasions inappropriately, used in small-scale poultry production in Enugu State, Nigeria. Antibiotics are valuable agents whose efficacy can only be preserved if they are handled with care. Training small-scale farmers will allow them to improve their knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use.

Profitability of Broiler Contract Growers in Chegutu District of Zimbabwe

Following the land reform programme, the Zimbabwean commercial broiler sub-sector has undergone structural transformation from predominantly being dominated by large scale producers to being a small scale producer led sub-sector. Despite this structural transformation, there are limited empirical studies on small scale poultry production performance and in particular commercial broiler contract production. The purpose of this study was to determine the profitability of broiler contract growers in Chegutu District of Zimbabwe. Cross sectional data was collected using a structured questionnaire from a population of 54 broiler contract growers. The study employed the gross margin analysis technique to establish the profitability of broiler contract production and the Ordinary Least Squares regression approach to analyse its determinants. The study found that broiler contract production was profitable with the mean gross margin per grower per batch being $4834,20. The return per dollar invested was $0,12 while the gross margin per bird sold was $0,44. Feed and chick costs were established to be the major production costs constituting 62.06% and 26.36% of total variable costs respectively. Significant factors that positively contributed to profitability of broiler contract farming were selling price, gender of grower, age of grower, education level of grower, grower experience in broiler production and feed costs. On the other hand, grower years with key employee, daily management of broiler production activities by grower, batch size, vaccines and medication costs, transport costs and the food conversion ratio negatively and significantly affected profitability. The study recommends that measures should be put in place to encourage more smallholder growers to join broiler contract farming schemes as it is a profitable venture. Female growers must also be encouraged to venture into broiler contract farming as the results have shown that they are more profitable when ....

An Overview of Traditional Small-Scale Poultry Production in Low-Income, Food-Deficit Countries

Poultry production is an activity that is engaged in by a majority of traditional small-scale farmers around the world. The percentage of participants engaged in this enterprise exceeds all those participating in other forms of domestic livestock production. Domestic fowl (“chickens”) are overwhelmingly the main species around the globe world but at least eight other species of bird are reared with regional preferences for one or the other type. A multitude of breeds or varieties are present within species which provide a genetic resource of truly inestimable value and whose genes need to be conserved for posterity. Output of live birds, meat and eggs is low in the mainly extensive or semi-intensive production systems but input costs (labour, feed and medicines) are also low. Poultry contribute to poverty alleviation, household food security, create opportunities for employment and are an asset that can be rapidly converted to income. Women and children are often the principal beneficiaries of small-scale production both as managers and owners. Housing is often rudimentary, the mainly scavenged feed is of inadequate quantity and quality and health interventions are minimal except for vaccination against the plagues of Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza. Marketing of surplus birds or product sales is largely informal but the system is quite appropriate for the sector. Official policies relating to traditional production are often minimal. There are opportunities for improved production and thus for contributing to human welfare in training of owners in management and in improving nutrition and health of the birds.

Small-scale poultry production in Bangladesh: challenges and impact of COVID-19 on sustainability

Poultry meat is an important source of animal protein in Bangladesh. Small-scale poultry production plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development and nutritional requirements of rural and peri-urban households and provides an income source for resource-poor areas. Therefore, focusing on small-scale poultry production remains important. However, improper management, disease outbreak, market volatility and many other factors are typically responsible for the sustainability of this rising prospect of small-scale poultry production potential. The recent pandemic coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) tremendously influenced the sustainability of the small-scale poultry sector. This review addressed Bangladeshi small-scale poultry production and its market value, identified issues, and suggested potential guidelines to sustain the small-scale sector

Earliest Utilization of Chicken in Upper California: The Zooarchaeology of Avian Remains from the San Diego Royal Presidio

The San Diego Presidio, established in AD 1769, was the first European settlement in Upper California. Very little is known about chicken husbandry in colonial America, which makes this study the first comprehensive analysis of chicken remains in North America. Chickens are scarcely mentioned in historical accounts describing early California, and information on their sex, age, or management is rare. The faunal assemblage from the San Diego Presidio yielded 20 avian and 14 mammalian species. Chicken remains were studied through a wide range of zooarchaeological methods, including taphonomy, biometry, medullary bone, epiphyseal fusion, butchering, and body-part representation. Taphonomic analysis indicates good preservation of the bone assemblage. The biometric study points to two breeds of chickens: a smaller (bantam) breed alongside a standard-size chicken. The percentage of juvenile chickens (23%), the rooster/hen ratio (1:8.5), and high proportion of medullary bone point to on-site chicken husbandry focusing on meat and egg production. The historical record suggests that California presidios were not self-sufficient and that they relied on food provisioned from Mexico and nearby missions. We argue that small-scale poultry production, likely managed by women and children, provided California presidios with a form of subsistence independence.

Evaluation of Extension Training Program on Small-Scale Poultry and Rabbit Production Projects at Alexandria Governorate, Egypt

Aims: This study was undertaken to measure the efficacy of an extension training program associated with small-scale poultry and rabbit production projects in Alexandria Governorate, Egypt.
 Study Design: The study was applied using two levels of the Donald L Kirkpatrick model through Action Research approach. The presented content of training program to trainees included important knowledge and skills of three topics which are broilers, ducks and rabbits to success small-scale production projects.
 Place and Duration of Study: 52 trainees were considered as a purposive sample, who attended all sessions of the extension training program in the agricultural administration at Khurshid, Alexandria Governorate, during April 2018.
 Methodology: A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from participants before and after implementation of the training program to measure approval level of trainees toward the training program elements and their knowledge and skills level.
 Results: The results revealed that majority (61.53%) of trainees had medium level of acceptance towards the extension training program components. Consequently, there was a significant improvement in the knowledge and skills levels of trainees after executing the extension program concerning broilers, ducks and rabbits production for promoting small- scale production projects. Findings also showed that deficiency of knowledge and experience related to poultry production, insufficient extension training programs, unavailability of proper site for establishing the project and getting its licenses, non-provision of capital and lack of veterinary services, in that order, were the most severe constraints of trainees affecting poultry production projects.
 Conclusion: This training program succeeded by increasing and improving the knowledge and skills of participants regarding poultry and rabbits production, which reflect on encouraging them to establish such income-raising projects.

Characterizing Antimicrobial Use in the Livestock Sector in Three South East Asian Countries (Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam).

A framework was developed to characterize the antimicrobial use/antimicrobial resistance complex in livestock systems in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Farm profitability, disease prevention, and mortality rate reduction were identified as drivers toward antimicrobial use in livestock systems. It revealed that antimicrobial use was high in all sectors studied, and that routine preventative use was of particular importance to broiler production systems. Misleading feed labeling was identified as a hurdle to the collection of accurate antimicrobial use data, with farmers being unaware of the antimicrobials contained in some commercial feed. Economic analysis found that the cost of antimicrobials was low relative to other farm inputs, and that farm profitability was precariously balanced. High disease and poor prices were identified as potential drivers toward economic loss. The research indicates that antimicrobial use in small-scale poultry production systems improves feed conversion ratios and overall productivity. However, data were limited to quantify adequately these potential gains and their impacts on the food supply. During the study, all countries embraced and implemented policies on better management of antimicrobial use in livestock and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Future policies need to consider farm-level economics and livestock food supply issues when developing further antimicrobial use interventions in the region.

Antibiotic Resistome Associated with Small-Scale Poultry Production in Rural Ecuador

Small-scale poultry farming is common in rural communities across the developing world. To examine the extent to which small-scale poultry farming serves as a reservoir for resistance determinants, the resistome of fecal samples was compared between production chickens that received antibiotics and free-ranging household chickens that received no antibiotics from a rural village in northern Ecuador. A qPCR array was used to quantify antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) using 248 primer pairs; and the microbiome structure was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A large number of ARGs (148) and MGEs (29) were detected. The ARG richness in production chickens was significantly higher than that of household chickens with an average of 15 more genes detected ( p < 0.01). Moreover, ARGs and MGEs were much more abundant in production chickens than in household chickens (up to a 157-fold difference). Production chicken samples had significantly lower taxonomic diversity and were more abundant in Gammaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Flavobacteria. The high abundance and diversity of ARGs and MGEs found in small-scale poultry farming was comparable to the levels previously found in large scale animal production, suggesting that these chickens could act as a local reservoir for spreading ARGs into rural communities.

Challenges and Opportunities of Small Scale Poultry Production System in Jigjiga Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

Background: Small scale Poultry production are used by farmers in order to generate cash income and as a source of food for domestic consumption however, the production sector is constrained by disease, predators, poor housing, poor management, lack of feed, low market prices and lack of markets. This study aimed to identify challenge and opportunities available for small scale poultry production in Jigjiga zone of Somali regional state. Methodology: For the study three districts, namely Jigjiga, Babile and Awbare were selected by purposive sampling technique. From the selected districts A total of 94 (Jigjiga = 35, babile = 32 and Awbare = 27) the respondents were selected purposively who engaged in poultry production and primary data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaires. Results: The major poultry production system practiced in the study area was village poultry production system (93.3%) and according to this study poultry is kept mainly for home consumption (42.2%), income generation (48.5%) and cultural prestige (26.6%). In the study area the dominant chicken breed was indigenous ecotype (67.6%). As indicated in the current study the demand for poultry and poultry product was very high and this is might be due to the problem in supply of poultry and its products. Sharing the same room under the same roof with the family (14.6%), different shelter in the same roof (36.6%) and separate house were the common poultry housing system practiced in the Jigjiga and surrounding area. Incubation and brooding were the other poultry management practiced in the area in which clay pot with bedding (64.4%) and clay pot without bedding (33.3%) were used for incubation and brooding. Before sale and set for incubation eggs were stored in cold environment (63.5%), in cold container (32.6%) and anywhere (41.1%). Disease (41.1%), shortage of feed (33.5%), and predators (20.7%) were the major constraints affecting poultry production and its productivities and higher demand for poultry and its product is the future opportunity for the development of poultry sector in the area. As the dominant production system was village poultry production scavenging feeding system in which supplementation twice (morning and evening) with maize or sorghum grain were practiced in the area. Conclusion: from this study, it can be concluded that expansion of veterinary service, and extension package for intervention to improve the productivity and economics contribution of poultry should also be designed in collaboration with NGO and Regional government.

An open system for farming black soldier fly larvae as a source of proteins for smallscale poultry and fish production

The utilisation of insect as ingredients for animal feeds has gained considerable interest recently. For example, the potential of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) larvae as a cheap alternative protein source for animal feeds seems to show promising perspectives, especially for poultry and aquaculture feeds. In the present study, we sought to establish the wild availability of BSF in Bondo area of Western Kenya, and to develop appropriate methods for larvae farming for utilisation in smallholder farming systems using organic waste substrates. Using an open system involving a larvae feeding structure, study results showed that BSF is native to the study area with higher production observed on substrates of plant origin compared to those of animal origin. Proximate, mineral and vitamin analysis showed that wild BSF larvae contained: 40% crude protein, 33% crude fat, 15% ash, 12% crude fibre, 0.56% manganese, 3.07% sodium, 0.57% iron, 2.27% potassium, 0.24 mg/100 g thiamin, 2.2 mg/100 g riboflavin and 1.3 mg/100 g vitamin E. This nutritional profile of the wild BSF larvae indicates its potential to serve as a cheap and sustainable substitute protein source. We therefore recommend small-scale poultry and fish farmers to adopt the identified methods for its cultivation as a way of lowering production costs and also contributing to environmental hygiene and sanitation.

Small-scale family poultry production systems and their current developing status

Small-scale family poultry production systems and their current developing status

Awareness and Perceptions of Food Safety Risks and Risk Management in Poultry Production and Slaughter: A Qualitative Study of Direct-Market Poultry Producers in Maryland.

The objective of this study was to document and understand the perceptions and opinions of small-scale poultry producers who market directly to consumers about microbial food safety risks in the poultry supply chain. Between January and November 2014, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 16 owner-operators of Maryland direct-market commercial poultry farms. Three overarching thematic categories emerged from these interviews that describe: 1) characteristics of Maryland direct-market poultry production and processing; 2) microbial food safety risk awareness and risk management in small-scale poultry production, slaughter and processing; and 3) motivations for prioritizing food safety in the statewide direct-market poultry supply chain. Key informants provided valuable insights on many topics relevant to evaluating microbial food safety in the Maryland direct-market poultry supply chain, including: direct-market poultry production and processing practices and models, perspectives on issues related to food safety risk management, perspectives on direct-market agriculture economics and marketing strategies, and ideas for how to enhance food safety at the direct-market level of the Maryland poultry supply chain. The findings have policy implications and provide insights into food safety in small-scale commercial poultry production, processing, distribution and retail. In addition, the findings will inform future food safety research on the small-scale US poultry supply chain.

Antibiotic Resistance in Animal and Environmental Samples Associated with Small-Scale Poultry Farming in Northwestern Ecuador.

The effects of animal agriculture on the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) are cross-cutting and thus require a multidisciplinary perspective. Here we use ecological, epidemiological, and ethnographic methods to examine populations of Escherichia coli circulating in the production poultry farming environment versus the domestic environment in rural Ecuador, where small-scale poultry production employing nontherapeutic antibiotics is increasingly common. We sampled 262 "production birds" (commercially raised broiler chickens and laying hens) and 455 "household birds" (raised for domestic use) and household and coop environmental samples from 17 villages between 2010 and 2013. We analyzed data on zones of inhibition from Kirby-Bauer tests, rather than established clinical breakpoints for AR, to distinguish between populations of organisms. We saw significantly higher levels of AR in bacteria from production versus household birds; resistance to either amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalothin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin was found in 52.8% of production bird isolates and 16% of household ones. A strain jointly resistant to the 4 drugs was exclusive to a subset of isolates from production birds (7.6%) and coop surfaces (6.5%) and was associated with a particular purchase site. The prevalence of AR in production birds declined with bird age (P < 0.01 for all antibiotics tested except tetracycline, sulfisoxazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Farming status did not impact AR in domestic environments at the household or village level. Our results suggest that AR associated with small-scale poultry farming is present in the immediate production environment and likely originates from sources outside the study area. These outside sources might be a better place to target control efforts than local management practices. IMPORTANCE In developing countries, small-scale poultry farming employing antibiotics as growth promoters is being advanced as an inexpensive source of protein and income. Here, we present the results of a large ecoepidemiological study examining patterns of antibiotic resistance (AR) in E.coli isolates from small-scale poultry production environments versus domestic environments in rural Ecuador, where such backyard poultry operations have become established over the past decade. Our previous research in the region suggests that introduction of AR bacteria through travel and commerce may be an important source of AR in villages of this region. This report extends the prior analysis by examining small-scale production chicken farming as a potential source of resistant strains. Our results suggest that AR strains associated with poultry production likely originate from sources outside the study area and that these outside sources might be a better place to target control efforts than local management practices.

Study on major causes of chicken mortality and associated risk factors in Bahir Dar Zuria District, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess major causes of chicken mortality and associated risk factors from November 2013 to May 2014 in Bahir Dar Zuria District, Ethiopia. One hundred respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data collected using questionnaire survey and from laboratory investigation of parasites were analyzed using STATA version 11. Among all respondents, 63 and 37% of the respondent used extensive/backyard and small-scale intensive poultry production systems, respectively. All respondents provided housing for their chicken under small-scale intensive system, while 96.8% provided housing under extensive production system. All small-scale intensive producers and 88.8% of extensive producers practiced house cleaning practices. About 56 and 5% of the respondents provided water as free accesses in small scale intensive and extensive production systems, respectively. Provision of commercial feed was practiced only by small scale intensive poultry producers. Presence of diseases, feed shortage, predators and bad weather condition/extreme weather condition/ were identified as the major causes of chicken mortality. Among diseases Newcastle diseases, Infectious bursal diseases and coccidiosis were cited in their order of importance. Among 69 fecal samples collected 44 (69.84%) were positive for nematodes, cestode and protozoal parasites. High mortality rates were recorded in both production systems. A 50% under extensive and 36% under small-scale intensive production systems, poultry producers dispose dead birds due to different diseases by throwing elsewhere near the farm/backyard area. Among all respondents, 24% vaccinated their chicken, whereas 76% did not practice vaccination to common diseases. Thus, poultry improvement program in the area should focus on minimizing and ultimately avoiding constraints of poultry sector to see the required performance at the expected level. Key words: Chicken mortality, production systems and management practices.

From the field: Empowering women to improve family food security in Afghanistan

AbstractKitchen gardens may improve family food security and nutrition. While these gardens are the domain of women in Afghanistan, women face unique challenges accessing training and resources to maximize small-scale agricultural output. The University of Maryland's Women in Agriculture Project builds capacity among female extension educators to work with vulnerable women to implement and maintain kitchen gardens. Extension educators use experiential methods to teach vegetable gardening, apiculture, small-scale poultry production, post-harvest handling and processing, nutrition and marketing through workshops, demonstration gardens and farmer field schools. This paper explores contextual factors related to women's food security and agricultural opportunities, describes key project activities and approaches and discusses project success and challenges, sustainability and implications for future programs.

Awareness and Practice of Biosecurity Measures in Small Scale Poultry Production in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The high susceptibility of poultry to disease outbreaks makes a comprehensive biosecurity technology a necessary practice in poultry farms to protect the farms from both intentional and unintentional threats from biological agents. Therefore this study evaluated the awareness and practice of biosecurity measures in small scale poultry production in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A total of 80 respondents were randomly selected for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of a pre tested structured questionnaire. The result shows that the most practiced biosecurity measures in the study area are the ones relating to regular clearing of the poultry environment, regular washing of the feeding and drinking troughs while the least observed one is the quarantine of the new birds. Also the result of the regression analysis shows that the level of education, farm size, formal training in poultry production and number of extension visits all have significant positive influence on the sampled farms' biosecurity control score while age, number of household labour, and distance from the nearest poultry farm shows significant negative influence on the farms' biosecurity control score. Equally, the result of the likert rating scale shows that the poultry farmers have a good knowledge of biosecurity measures with overall biosecurity knowledge index of 3.22. The study therefore recommends among other things the intensive sensitization of the poultry farmers through workshop and field days seminars by appropriate agents on the

Poultry Farm Vulnerability and Risk of Avian Influenza Re-Emergence in Thailand

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains of concern as a major potential global threat. This article evaluates and discusses the level of vulnerability of medium and small-scale commercial poultry production systems in Thailand related to avian influenza virus re-emergence. We developed a survey on 173 farms in Nakhon Pathom province to identify the global level of vulnerability of farms, and to determine which type of farms appears to be more vulnerable. We used official regulations (the Good Agricultural Practices and Livestock Farm Standards regulations) as a reference to check whether these regulations are respected. The results show that numerous vulnerability factors subsist and could represent, in case of HPAI re-emergence, a significant risk for a large spread of the disease. Bio-security, farm management and agro-commercial practices are particularly significant on that matter: results show that these practices still need a thorough improvement on a majority of farms. Farms producing eggs (especially duck eggs) are more vulnerable than farms producing meat. Those results are consistent with the type of farms that were mostly affected during the 2004–2008 outbreaks in Thailand.