Reference Type

Conference Proceedings

Record Number

70

Author

Chiligati, J.E.; Foster, H.A.; Chitukura, H.R.

Year of conference

1997

Title

A study of the current management practices and production parameters of small poultry enterprises of the Wagogo people of Central Tanzania

Editor

Sonaiya, E.B.

Conference Name

Proceedings of an International Workshop held on June 13-16, 1995 at the International Livestock Research Institute

Conference Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Publisher

African Network for Rural Poultry Development, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Pages

84-86

Label

Conference paper

Keywords

Management, Newcastle disease, Productivity, Tanzania.

Notes

This study was undertaken in Central Tanzania in a population where the men were mainly engaged in keeping cattle, and poultry (largely overlooked and ignored) were managed by the women. Participatory rural appraisal techniques including informal interviews, visits, group discussions and a community forum were used in an attempt to identify projects that could aid women in generating small amounts of income.
More than 90% of the villagers kept local chickens. The average flock contained 17 birds (2 cockerels, 3 hens, 3 growers and 10 chicks). Adult male birds appeared to be favoured because they were heavier and commanded a higher price. The small flock usually occupied the living room of the owner's house at night as a precaution against predator and theft. The average clutch of eggs was 12, with 10 eggs left to incubate and hatchability of 73%. Barely half the chicks survived to 2 months. The scavenging diet was sometimes supplemented in the dry season with sorghum, millet and maize bran.

The disease mentioned most frequently was Newcastle disease with most cases in the colder months (June to September) and high losses especially in chicks and growers. Newcastle disease vaccines were not used in any of the villages. [Successful vaccine trials with thermostable vaccines were later reported from this area by Foster and others.]

The authors conclude that backyard poultry could be of increased nutritional and financial benefit to families without a large financial input or greatly increased workload for women.