Productivity of local chickens under village management Conditions
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Date
2002
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kluwer Academic
Abstract
The productivity of local chickens under village management conditions was studied in six villages
situated in three climatic zones within Morogoro District in Tanzania. Two villages were picked in each
climatic zone (warm and wet, warm and dry, cool and wet) for the study. The data were obtained by
actual measurement, qualitative observations and interview of members of the households directly
responsible for the care of chickens. In addition, data sheets were given to selected farmers to record the
performance of their chickens. The mean £ock size for the three zones was 16.2, with a range of 2 to 58.
The overall mean clutch size, egg weight and hatchability were 11.8, 44.1 g and 83.6%, respectively. The
overall mean chick survival rate to 10 weeks of age was 59.7%. The mean live weights for cocks and
hens were 1948 g and 1348 g, respectively. The mean growth rates to the age of 10 weeks were 4.6 g/day
and 5.4 g/day, while those from 10 to 14 weeks of age were 8.4 g/day and 10.2 g/day for female and
male birds, respectively. The age at ¢rst lay ranged between 6 and 8 months, and the average hen had
three laying cycles per year. Most of the chickens were left to scavenge during the day and were
provided with simple housing at night (95.2% of the owners). Only small amounts of supplementary
feeds were occasionally given and minimal health care was provided. It was concluded that the low
productivity of chickens was partly due to the prevailing poor management practices, in particular the
lack of proper health care, poor nutrition and housing.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
chickens, climate, egg weight, £ock size, growth, live weight, nutrition, scavenging, survival
Citation
Mwalusanya, N.A., Katule, A.M., Mutayoba, S.K., Mtambo, M.M.A., Olsen, J.E. and Minga, U.M., 2002. Productivity of local chickens under village management conditions. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 34(5), 405^416