Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T07:17:48.020Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Traditional chicken production in Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

C.V. McAinsh ,
J. Kusina ,
J. Madsen  and
O. Nyoni
C.V. McAinsh*
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,2 Groennegaardsvej, 1870 Copenhagen, Denmark
J. Kusina
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
J. Madsen
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,2 Groennegaardsvej, 1870 Copenhagen, Denmark
O. Nyoni
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,2 Groennegaardsvej, 1870 Copenhagen, Denmark
*
*Corresponding author: e-mail: cvp@kvl.dk
Get access

Abstract

Formal knowledge about traditional free-range chicken production in tropical countries is increasing but still limited. However, it appears from literature studied connection with these studies, that management, and thus production performance, in general is comparable in different countries and affected by similar factors. Further, poultry production has shown to be a very important income generating activity, predominantly run by women. On the basis of three studies (A, B and C), the paper describes local chicken production in a communal area of Zimbabwe and highlights production characteristics. Study A is an investigation of the management and production through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Study B is a phenotypic description of 360 chickens and a description of feed availability. Study C is records of production during 6 months. Findings confirmed that women owned most chicken flocks and that income generated from chicken production was spent to better nutrition, health and education of the family. High mortality and slow growth were, by farmers perceived to be the major constraints to production. This was supported by production records, which showed that survival among young chickens was low (45% until 16 weeks of age). Most deaths (69%) occurred during the first 3 weeks after hatching. Most common mortality causes were diseases, predation, external parasites and accidents. Few clutches per hen per year with long brooding periods resulted in low production of chickens ready for slaughter or sale. Growth rates until 10 weeks of age were just over 6 g/day. Production results are discussed in relation to other literature.

Keywords

traditional scavenging chicken productionZimbabwe
Type
Regional Report
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 60 , Issue 2 , June 2004 , pp. 233 - 246
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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

Adedokun, S. and Sonaiya, E. (2001) Comparison of the performance of Nigerian indigenous chickens from three agro-ecological zones. Livestock Research for Rural Development 13 (2).Google Scholar
Aganga, A., Omphile, U., Malope, P., Chabanga, C., Motsamai, G. and Motsumi, L. (2000) Traditional poultry production and commercial broiler alternatives for small-holder farmers in Botswana. Livestock Research for Rural Development 12(4): 1–8.Google Scholar
Aini, I. (1990) Indigenous chicken production in South-east-Asia. World's Poultry Science Journal 46(1): 51–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Amin, S., Lee, C. and Mahmood, A. (1997) Prevalence of ectoparasite infestation in different age groups of village chickens. Journal Veterinar Malaysia 9(2): 55–59.Google Scholar
Chavunduka, D. (1976) Plants regarded by Africans as being of medicinal value to animals. Rhodesian Veterinary Journal 7(1): 6–12.Google Scholar
Cumming, R.B. (1992) Village chicken production: Problems and potential. Spradbrow PB. Newcastle disease in village chickens. ACIAR proceedings. (39). 21–24, Australian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchCanberraGoogle Scholar
Daghir, N.J.E. (1998) Poultry production in hot climates. The University Press, Cambridge, U.K. CAB International.Google Scholar
Dessie, T. and Ogle, B. (1997) Nutritional status of village poultry in the central highlands of Ethiopia as assessed by analyses of crop contents and carcass measurements. Dolberg, F. and Petersen, P.H. Integrated farming in human development. Proceedings of a Workshop at Tune Landboskole25–29 March 1996Denmark74–92.Google Scholar
Dipeolu, M., Eruvbetine, D. and Williams, T. J. (1996) Indigenous chicken rearing under village conditions. International Journal of Animal Sciences 11(1): 63–67.Google Scholar
Farooq, M., Shoukat, K., Asrar, M., Shah, , Mussawar, , Durrani, F., Asghar, A. and Faisal, S. (2000) Impact of female livestock extension workers on rural house hold chicken production. Livestock Research for Rural Development 12(4): 1–9.Google Scholar
Gunaratne, S., Chandrasir, A., Hemalatha, W. and Roberts, J. (1992) The productivity and nutrition of village chickens in Sri Lanka. Spradbrow, PB. Newcastle disease in village chickens. ACIAR proceedings. Canberra, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (39): 144–48.Google Scholar
Gunaratne, S., Chandrasiri, A., Hemalatha, W. and Roberts, J. (1993) Feed resource base for scavenging village chickens in Sri Lanka. Tropical Animal Health and Production 25 (4): 249–57.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Guéye, E. (1998) Village egg and fowl meat production in Africa. World's Poultry Science Journal 54: 73–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huchzermeyer, F. (1967) Some thoughts on poultry-keeping in African areas of Rhodesia under subsistence economy conditions. Rhodesia Agriculture Journal 64: 133–39.Google Scholar
Huchzermeyer, F. (1973) Free ranging hybrid chickens under African tribal conditions. Rhodesia Agricultural Journal 70 (3): 73–75.Google Scholar
Huchzermeyer, F. (1976) Traditional poultry houses used by Rhodesian Africans. Rhodesia Agricultural Journal 73(6): 155–57.Google Scholar
Jensen, J.F. (1989) Fjerkraeavl og fjerkraehold. Jordbrugsforlaget. Det Kgl. Danske Landhusholdningsselskab. DK. pp. 177.Google Scholar
Jordan, F.T.W. and Pattison, M. (1998) Poultry Diseases. 4th. ed. Cambridge, Great Britain, WB Saunders. pp. 546.Google Scholar
Kelly, P.J., Chitauro, D., Rohde, C., Rukwava, J., Majok, A., Davelaar, F. and Mason, P.R. (1994) Diseases and management of backyard chicken flocks in Chitungwiza Zimbabwe. Avian Diseases 38(3): 626–29.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuit, H., Traore, A. and Wilson, R.T. (1986) Livestock production in central Mali: ownership, management and productivity of poultry in the traditional sector. Tropical Animal Health and Production 18(4): 222–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kusina, J., Kusina, N., Mhlanga, J., Alders, R.E.D. and Spradbrow, P. (2001) A survey on village chicken losses: causes and solutions as perceived by farmers. SADC planning workshop on Newcastle Disease control in village chickens. Proceedings of an International WorkshopMaputo, Mozambique: 148–55.Google Scholar
Lambrou, L. (1993) Indigenous Poultry in Zimbabwe. Farming World 19(3): 11–12Google Scholar
Mikkelsen, B. (1995) Methods for development work and research. A guide for practitioners. 1st. ed. Sage Publications, India/UK.Google Scholar
Minga, U., Katule, A., Maeda, T. and Musasa, J. (1989) Potential and problems of the traditional chicken industry in Tanzania. Tanzania Veterinary Association. Proceedings of the 7th. Tanzania Veterinary Association Scientific Conference – held at Arusha International Conference CentreDecember 1989, 7: 207–15.Google Scholar
Mopate, L. and Lony, M. (1999) Survey on family chicken farms in the rural area of N'Djamena Chad. Livestock Research for Rural Development 11(2).Google Scholar
Muchenje, V. and Sibanda, S. (1997) Informal Survey Report on Poultry Production Systems in Chivhu and Sanyati Farming Areas. Crop-Livestock Farming Systems Research Methodologies Training Workshop. UZ/RVAU/DIAS/Danida Project Report. 23–42.Google Scholar
Mutisi, C. and Kusina, N. (1996) Role of Livestock in Sanyati Communal Area. Draft report. Unpublished.Google Scholar
Mwalusanya, N.A., Katule, A.M., Mutayoba, S.K., Minga, U.M., Mtambo, M.M.A. and Olsen, J.E. (2002a) Nutrient status of crop contents of rural scavenging local chickens in Tanzania. Brirish Poultry Science 43(1): 64–69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mwalusanya, N.A., Katule, A.M., Mutayoba, S.K., Mtambo, M.M.A., Olsen, J.E. and Minga, U.M. (2002b) Productivity of local chickens under village management conditions. Tropical Animal Health and Production 34(5): 405–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nwosu, C., Obioha, F., Omeje, S., Gowen, F., Bellonwu, C. and Onuora, G. (1984) Growth performance of local and Shaver Starcross chickens under deep litter system of management. World Review of Animal Production 20 (2): 17–26.Google Scholar
Okaeme, A. (1988) Ectoparasites of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) and local domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) in southern guinea savanna Nigeria. Veterinary Research Communications 12 (4–5): 277–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Payne, W. and Wilson, R. (1999) An Introduction to Animal Husbandry in the Tropics. Oxford, UK, Blackwell Science Ltd.Google Scholar
Permin, A. and Hansen, J.W. (1998) Epidemiology, diagnosis and control of poultry parasites. FAO Animal Health Manual. Food and Agriculture organisation of the United Nations. pp.160.Google Scholar
Pretty, J., Guijt, I., Scoones, I. and Thompson, J. (1995) A trainer's guide for Participatory Learning and Action. IIED Participatory Methodology Series. International institute for Environment and Development London.Google Scholar
Roberts, J. (1992) The scavenging feed resource base in assessments of the productivity of scavenging village chickens. Spradbrow PB. Newcastle disease in village chickens. ACIAR proceedingsCanberraAustralian Centre for International Agricultural Research (39): 29–32.Google Scholar
Roberts, J. (1994) The benefits from the use of a creep feeder for scavenging chickens in villages. Proceedings of Sustainable animal production and the environment on Bali, Indonesia 11–16 July. 2: 69–70.Google Scholar
Roberts, J.A. (1999) Utilisation of Poultry Feed Resources by Smallholders in the villages of Developing Countries. Proceedings of a workshop on Poultry as a tool in poverty eradication and promotion of gender equality.March 22–26, 1999.Tune LandboskoleDenmark,Google Scholar
Shumba, C. (1990) Opportunities and constraints in the communal poultry sector. The Zimbabwe Science News 24(4/6): 31–36.Google Scholar
Smith, A.J. (1990) Poultry. Centre for tropical veterinary medicine, University of Edinburgh, The Tropical Agriculturalist. MacMillan Publishers.Google Scholar
Wilson, R. (1979) Studies on the livestock of Southern Darfur Sudan. VII. Production of poultry under simulated traditional conditions. Tropical Animal Health and Production 11(3): 143–50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilson, R., Traore, A., Traore, A., Kuit, H.G. and Slingerland, M, (1987) Livestock production in central Mali: reproduction, growth and mortality of domestic fowl under traditional management. Tropical Animal Health and Production 19(4): 229–36.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed