Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T02:02:32.383Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Indigenous chicken production in Kenya: II. Prospects for research and development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

T.M. MAGOTHE ,
T.O. OKENO ,
W.B. MUHUYI  and
A.K. KAHI
T.M. MAGOTHE
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya Ministry of Livestock Development, Livestock Recording Centre, PO Box 257, 20117 Naivasha, Kenya
T.O. OKENO
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya Institute of Animal Breeding in the Tropics and Sub-Tropics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
W.B. MUHUYI
Affiliation:
National Beef Research Centre, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, PO Box 3840, 20100 Nakuru, Kenya
A.K. KAHI*
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Poultry production and in particular indigenous chicken (IC) production has been recognised as an avenue to improve livelihoods of the rural households. Previous attempts to improve their productivity have had little success due to, among others, lack of a holistic approach in solving the constraints and dissemination of inappropriate technologies given the production circumstances and market dynamics. Marketing as a constraint is often blamed for the failure of interventions to improve livelihoods, despite lack of saturation for IC products at local and national levels and the increasing demand for the same. This paper highlights the past improvement attempts and suggests strategies to improve IC productivity and thereby improve the livelihood of the rural households which are the custodians of these genetic resources. It is concluded that there is potential for improvement of IC production in Kenya given the available genetic and physical resources. However, a holistic strategy that increases productivity without increasing production costs or leading to loss of biodiversity must be developed. Such a strategy must take into account the various uses of the IC in a rural household.

Keywords

indigenous chicken productionproduction constraintsresearch and developmentKenya
Type
Small-Scale Family Poultry Production
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 68 , Issue 1 , March 2012 , pp. 133 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ABDELQADER, A., WOLLNY, C.B.A. and GAULY, M. (2007) Characterization of local chicken production systems and their potential under different levels of management practices in Jordan. Tropical Animal Health and Production 39: 155-164.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
ADEDEJI, T.A., ADEBAMBO, O.A., PETERS, S.O., OJEDAPO, L.O. and IGE, A.O. (2006) Growth performance of crossbred and purebred chickens resulting from different sire strains in a humid tropical environment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 5: 674-678.Google Scholar
ALDERS, R.G and BAGNOL, B. (2007) Effective communication: the key to efficient HPAI prevention and control. World's Poultry Science Journal 63: 139-147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ANONYMOUS, (1976) Survey of current animal production research in East Africa. East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organisation, Issue No. 6 (Nairobi, Kenya).Google Scholar
ANONYMOUS, (1981) Second review of phase I and proposals for phase II of the National Poultry Development Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
ANONYMOUS, (1985) Policy paper on marketing of poultry and poultry products. Livestock Development Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
BARTELS, T. (2003) Variations in the morphology, distribution, and arrangement of feathers in domesticated birds. Journal of Experimental Zoology 298 B: 91-108.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BHUIYAN, A.K.F.H., BHUIYAN, M.S.A. and DEB, G.K. (2005) Indigenous chicken genetic resources in Bangladesh: current status and future outlook. Animal Genetic Resources Information 36: 73-100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BIRECH, E.K. (2002) Feed and Nutrient intake of free-ranging chickens in Nakuru District, Kenya. MSc Thesis, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.Google Scholar
BRANCKAERT, R.D.S. (2007) Avian influenza: the new challenge for family poultry. World's Poultry Science Journal 63: 129-131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CHEMJOR, W. (1998) Energy and protein requirements of growing indigenous chickens in Kenya. MSc Thesis, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.Google Scholar
COPLAND, J.W. and ALDERS, R.G. (2005) The Australian village poultry development programme in Asia and Africa. World's Poultry Science Journal 61: 31-37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CUNNINGHAM, E.P. (1979) Definition, measurement and recording in genetic improvement of livestock. Animal Breeding and Genetics 1: 73-80.Google Scholar
DESSIE, T. (1996) Studies on village poultry production systems in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. MSc Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.Google Scholar
DJEMALI, M. and WRIGLEY, J. (2002) Tailoring genetic improvement to meet the overall livestock development objective. Proceedings of the 7th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, 19-23 August 2002, Montpellier, France, CD-ROM.Google Scholar
FAYEYE, T.R., AYORINDE, K.L., OJO, V. and ADESINA, O.M. (2006) Frequency and influence of some major genes on body weight and body size parameters of Nigerian local chickens. Livestock Research for Rural Development 18 (3): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd18/3/faye18037.htm [Accessed 3 May 2007].Google Scholar
FRAGA, L.M. (2002) Reasons for the use and conservation of some local genetic resources in poultry. Proceedings of the 7th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, 19-23 August 2002, Montpellier, France, CD-ROM.Google Scholar
FRENCH, M.H. (1942) Further observations on poultry. The East African Agricultural Journal 7: 174-177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
GARCES, A., CASEY, N.H. and HORST, P. (2001) Productive performance of naked neck, frizzle and dwarf laying hens under various natural climates and two nutritional treatments. South African Journal of Animal Science 31: 174-180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
GAUSI, J.C.K., SAFALAOH, A.C.L., BANDA, J.W. and NG'ONG'OLA, D.H. (2004) Characterisation of smallholder poultry marketing systems in rural Malawi: A case study of Malingunde Extension Planning Area. Livestock Research for Rural Development 16 (12): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd16/12/gaus16097.htm [Accessed 26 Jul. 2007].Google Scholar
GOK, (2007) Kenya Vision 2030. The Government of the Republic of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
GUERNE-BLEICH, E., RHISSA, Z. and MACK, S. (2005) The FAO special programme for food security: livestock diversification - a case study in Chad. World's Poultry Science Journal 61: 23-29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
GUÈYE, E.F. (2002) Family poultry research and development in low-income food-deficit countries: approaches and prospects. Outlook on Agriculture 31: 13-21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
GUÈYE, E.F. (2009) The role of networks in information dissemination to family poultry farmers. World's Poultry Science Journal 65: 115-124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HALIMA, H., NESER, F.W.C., VAN MARLE-KOSTER, E. and DE KOCK, A. (2007) Village-based indigenous chicken production system in North-West Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 39: 189-197.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HORST, P. (1988) Native fowl as reservoir for genomes and major genes with direct and indirect effects on productive adaptability. Proceedings of the 18th World's Poultry Congress, Nagoya, Japan, pp. 99-105.Google Scholar
HOSSARY, M.A. and GALAL, E.S.E. (1995) Improvement and adaptation of the Fayoumi chicken . Animal Genetics Resources Information 14: 33-42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HOYER, R. (1992) Effects of the exchange of hybrid cockerels and the time passed since exchange on production characteristics of Kenyan domestic chicken. MSc. Thesis, Wageningen University, Netherlands.Google Scholar
ISLAM, M.A. and NISHIBORI, M. (2009) Indigenous naked neck chicken: a valuable genetic resource for Bangladesh. World's Poultry Science Journal 65: 125-138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
JAVED, K., FAROOQ, M., MIAN, M.A., DURRANI, F.R. and SHAH, M. (2003) Flock size and egg production performance of backyard chicken reared by rural women in Peshawar Pakistan. Livestock Research for Rural Development 15 (11): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd15/11/jave1511.htm [Accessed 26 Jul. 2007].Google Scholar
JUMA, N. and ONDWASY, H.O. (2002) Improved management of indigenous chicken: sustainable technologies contributing to the socio-economic welfare of rural households. Proceedings of the 8th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 359-364.Google Scholar
KAHI, A.K., WASIKE, C.B. and REWE, T.O. (2006) Beef production in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya: Constraints and prospects for research and development. Outlook on Agriculture 35: 217-225.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
KAINGU, F.B., KIBOR, A.C., SHIVAIRO, R., KUTIMA, H., OKENO, T.O., WAIHENYA, R. and KAHI, A.K. (2010) Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminthes and coccidia in indigenous chicken from different agro-climatic zones in Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research 5: 458-462.Google Scholar
KAMALI, M.A., GHORBANI, S.H., SHARBABAK, M.M. and ZAMIRI, M.J. (2007) Heritabilities and genetic correlations of economic traits in Iranian native fowl and estimated genetic trend and inbreeding coefficients. British Poultry Science 48: 443-448.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KAUDIA, T.J. and KITALYI, A.J. (2002) Commercializing rearing of village chicken in Kenya, in: GUÉYE, E.F. (Ed) The Second INFPD/FAO Electronic Conference on The Bangladesh Model and Other Experiences in Family Poultry Development: http://www.fao.org/ag/AGAinfo/themes/en/infpd/documents/econf_bang/add_paper12.html [Accessed 26 Apr. 2005].Google Scholar
KILUNGO, J.K. and MGHENYI, E. (2001) Factors Limiting Beef Productivity and Marketing in Kenya. Working Paper, Tegemeo Institute, Egerton University, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
KING'ORI, A.M. (2004) Protein and energy requirements of some indigenous chickens of Kenya. Ph.D. Thesis, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.Google Scholar
KING'ORI, A.M., TUITOEK, J.K., MUIRURI, H.K. and WACHIRA, A.M. (2003) Protein requirements of growing indigenous chickens during the 14-21 weeks growing period. South Africa Journal of Animal Science 33: 78-82.Google Scholar
KING'ORI, A.M., TUITOEK, J.K., MUIRURI, H.K., WACHIRA, A.M. and BIRECH, E.K. (2007) Protein intake of growing indigenous chickens on free-range and their response to Supplementation. International Journal of Poultry Science 6: 617-621.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
KOSBA, M.A., FRAGHALY, M.H., BAHIE, E.M., IRAQI, M.M., EL-LABAN, A.F.M. and ABD EL-HALIM, H.A. (2006) Genetic trends and evaluation for some productive traits in Alexandria chickens. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal 26: 1497-1513.Google Scholar
MACK, S., HOFFMANN, D. and OTTE, J. (2005) The contribution of poultry to rural development. World's Poultry Science Journal 61: 7-14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MAGOTHE, T.M., MUHUYI, W.B. and KAHI, A.K. (2006) Some external egg characteristics of local chickens in Kenya. Proceedings of the 32nd Tanzania Society of Animal Production Scientific Conference, 24-26 October 2006, Moshi, Tanzania.Google Scholar
MAGOTHE, T.M., MUHUYI, W.B. and KAHI, A.K. (2010a) Influence of major genes for crested-head, frizzle-feather and naked-neck on body weights and growth patterns of indigenous chickens reared intensively in Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production 42: 173-183.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MAGOTHE, T.M., MUHUYI, W.B. and KAHI, A.K. (2010b) Genetic parameters for egg and body weights of indigenous chicken in Kenya. Proceedings of the Animal Production Society of Kenya annual symposium, 20-22 April 2010, Garissa, Kenya.Google Scholar
MAINA, J.O., BHATTACHARJEE, M. and ADUMA, P.J. (2000) Endangered breeds of indigenous chickens in Kenya. Proceedings of the 5th Biochemical Society of Kenya Annual Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 33-34.Google Scholar
MAKI-TANILA, A. (2007) Animal breeding further ameliorated. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 124: 1-2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MENGE, E.O. (2009) Breeding and Management of Small scale chicken in Kenya. MSc Thesis, Egerton University, Kenya, (ISBN 13: 9781409271543).Google Scholar
MENGE, E.O., KOSGEY, I.S. and KAHI, A.K. (2005) Bio-economic model to support breeding of indigenous chicken in different production systems. International Journal of Poultry Science 4: 1-13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MOLD, (2008) The National Livestock Policy. Ministry of Livestock Development, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
MSOFFE, P.L.M., MINGA, U.M., OLSEN, J.E., YONGOLO, M.G.S., JUUL-MADSEN, H.R., GWAKISA, P.S. and MTAMBO, M.M.A. (2001) Phenotypes including immune-competence in scavenging local chicken ecotypes in Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production 33: 341-354.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MUKHERJEE, T.K. (1990) Breeding, selection and biotechnological developments for improvement of poultry in the tropics-current progress and future perspectives. Proceedings of the 4th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 337-348.Google Scholar
MWAMACHI, D.M., MUINGA, R.W., BIMBUZI, S. and MWAMBANGA, J.N. (2000) Experiences in participatory research on improving productivity of indigenous chickens in Kwale district. Proceedings of the 7th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 229-235.Google Scholar
NDEGWA, J.M. and KIMANI, C.W. (1996) Rural poultry production in Kenya: Research and development strategies. Proceedings of the 5th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 511-516.Google Scholar
NDEGWA, J.M., KIMANI, C.W., SIAMBA, D.N., MUKISIRA, E.A. and DE JONG, R. (1998) Characteristics of rural poultry production in different agro-ecological zones in Kenya. Proceedings of the 6th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 540-547.Google Scholar
N'DRI, A.L., MIGNON-GRASTEAU, S. SELLIER, N., , BEAUMONT, C. and TIXIER-BOICHARD, M. (2007) Interactions between the naked neck gene, sex, and fluctuating ambient temperature on heat tolerance, growth, body composition, meat quality, and sensory analysis of slow growing meat-type broilers. Livestock Science 110: 33-45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
NGENO, K. (2011) Genetic analysis of growth patterns in different ecotypes of indigenous chicken in Kenya MSc Thesis, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.Google Scholar
NIMBKAR, C., GIBSON, J., OKEYO, M., BOETTCHER, P. and SOELKNER, J. (2008) Sustainable use and genetic improvement. Animal Genetic Resources Information 42: 49-66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
NJENGA, S.K. (2005) Production and socio-cultural aspects of local poultry phenotypes in coastal Kenya. MSc Thesis, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Tjele, Denmark.Google Scholar
NWACHUCKWU, E.N., IBE, S.N., EIEKWU, K. and OKE, U.K. (2006) Evaluation of growth parameters of main and reciprocal crossbred normal, naked neck and frizzle chickens in a humid tropical environment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 5: 542-546.Google Scholar
NYAGA, P.N. (2007) Kenya poultry sector review. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
NYANGE, R.K. (1995) Poultry development in Kenya. Proceedings of the African Network for Rural Poultry Development Workshop, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 31-35.Google Scholar
OKITOI, L.O. (2000) Improvement of poultry production in western Kenya. Proceedings of the end of Agricultural Research Project Phase II Conference, Nairobi, Kenya. pp 227-236.Google Scholar
OKITOI, L.O. and MUKISIRA, E.A. (2001) Improved management of indigenous chickens. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Technical notes series, No. 8, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
OKITOI, L.O., ONDWASY, H.O., OBALI, M., LINYONYI, A., MUKISIRA, E.A. and DE JONG, R. (2000a) The potential on-farm impact of appropriate technologies on productivity of indigenous chicken in western Kenya. Proceedings of the 7th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 373-380.Google Scholar
OKITOI, L.O., ONDWASY, H.O., OBALI, M., LINYONYI, A., MULAMULA, H., OTIENO, K., MUREKEFU, F., SOITA, J., NDEGE, J., KAHAI, R., ROTICH, D. and WEKESA, A. (2000b) An appraisal of local poultry production in western Kenya, in: DE JONG, R. & MUKISIRA, E.A. (Eds) Testing of Livestock technologies on smallholder mixed farms in Kenya, pp. 157-178 (Nairobi, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute).Google Scholar
OLWANDE, P.O., OGARA, W.O., OKUTHE, S.O., MUCHEMI, G., OKOTH, E., ODINDO, M.O. and ADHIAMBO, R.F. (2010) Assessing the productivity of indigenous chickens in an extensive management system in Southern Nyanza, Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production 42: 283-288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
PERMIN, A., PEDERSEN, G. and RIISE, J.C. (2001) Poultry as a tool for poverty alleviation: Opportunities and problems related to poultry production at village level. Proceedings of the SADC Planning Workshop on Newcastle Disease Control in Village Chickens, Maputo, Mozambique, pp. 143-147.Google Scholar
RASHID, M.A., HOWLIDER, M.A.R., ALAM, J., RASHID, M.D.A., KAWSAR, M.H. and AZMAL, S.A. (2005) Effect of dwarfism on reproductive and meat yield parameters of crossbred chicken. International Journal of Poultry Science 4: 372-377.Google Scholar
RIETHMULLER, P. (2003) The social impact of livestock: A developing country perspective. Animal Science Journal 74: 245-253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
RIISE, J.C., PERMIN, A. and KRYGER, K.N. (2005) Strategies for developing family poultry production at village level – Experiences from West Africa and Asia. World's Poultry Science Journal 61: 15-22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SAFALAOH, A.C.L. (2001) Village chicken upgrading programme in Malawi. World's Poultry Science Journal 57: 179-188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SAHA, A., LOVE, H.A. and SCHWART, R. (1994) Adoption of emerging technologies under output uncertainty. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 76: 836-846.Google Scholar
SIAMBA, D.N., NDEGWA, J.M., KIMANI, C.W., NAMPASO, J., OLE SINKEET, S.N., MUKISIRA, E.A. and DE JONG, R. (2000) Rural poultry production: efforts to improve production and contribution to household economy, in: DE JONG, R. & MUKISIRA, E.A. (Eds) Testing of Livestock technologies on smallholder mixed farms in Kenya, pp. 141-156 (Nairobi, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute).Google Scholar
SIEGEL, P.B., DODGSON, J.B. and ANDERSSON, L. (2006) Progress from chicken genetics to the chicken genome. World's Poultry Science Journal 85: 2050-2060.Google Scholar
TADELLE, D., ALEMU, Y. and PETERS, K.J. (2000) Indigenous chickens in Ethiopia: genetic potential and attempts at improvement. World's Poultry Science Journal 56: 45-54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
TRAIL, J.C.M. (1962) The indigenous poultry of Uganda. The fertility, hatchability and chick mortality compared with European breeds. Poultry Science 41: 1271-1276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
UPTON, M. (2000) The livestock revolution-Implications for smallholder agriculture: A case study of milk and poultry production in Kenya. Livestock Policy Discussion Paper No. 1, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
WAINAINA, G.M. (1994) The role of national poultry development programme in poultry development in Kenya. Proceedings of the National Poultry Development Programme Annual Seminar, Machakos, Kenya, pp. 35-50.Google Scholar
YEASMIN, T., HOWLIDER, M.A.R. and AHAMMAD, M.U. (2003) Effect of introgressing dwarf gene from Bangladeshi indigenous to exotic breeds on egg production. International Journal of Poultry Science 2: 264-266.Google Scholar