Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T07:59:34.481Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Indigenous chicken production in Kenya: I. Current status

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

The majority of the Kenyan population resides in the rural areas and is characterised by low income and food insecurity leading to high levels of poverty. Poultry production and in particular indigenous chicken (IC) production play a significant role in the economic and social life of these resource-poor households, contributing to cheap source of animal proteins and cash income. Indigenous chickens are present whenever there are human settlements and their economic strength lies in their low cost of production which is a characteristic of the resource-poor rural households. They are highly adapted to the harsh scavenging conditions, poor nutrition and disease and/or parasite challenges. Their low productivity has hindered their exploitation. This paper highlights the current IC production circumstances with a view to identifying the major challenges which need to be addressed in order to improve the IC productivity and thereby improve the livelihood of the rural households who are the custodian of these genetic resources. It is concluded that the IC in Kenya posses high genetic diversity and are popular among the consumers. There is potential to improve IC productivity in Kenya and therefore individual and national efforts are required that takes into account the whole IC production value chain.

Keywords

indigenous chickenproduction constraintsproduction systemsproduction value chainKenya
Type
Small-Scale Family Poultry Production
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 68 , Issue 1 , March 2012 , pp. 119 - 132
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

ALI, K.O. and BRENOE, U.T. (2002) Comparing genotypes of different body sizes for growth-related traits in chickens. I. Live weight and growth performance under intensive and feed-restricted extensive systems. Acta Agricultural Scandinavian, Section A, Animal Science 52: 1-10.Google Scholar
BARUA, A., HOWLIDER, M.A.R. and YOSHIMURA, Y. (1998) Indigenous Naked Neck fowl of Bangladesh. World's Poultry Science Journal 54: 279-286.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
BLENCH, R. and MACDONALD, K.C. (2000) Chickens, in: KIPLE, K.F & ORNELAS, K.C. (Eds) The Cambridge World History of Food, Vol. 1, pp. 496-499 (London, Cambridge University Press).Google Scholar
CHEMJOR, W. (1998) Energy and protein requirements of growing indigenous chickens in Kenya. MSc Thesis, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.Google Scholar
FALCONER, D.S. (1989) Introduction to quantitative genetics. 3rd edition (England, Longman).Google Scholar
HALIMA, H., NESER, F.W.C., VAN MARLE-KOSTER, E. and DE KOCK, A. (2007) Village-bases indigenous chicken production system in North-West Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 39: 189-197CrossRefGoogle 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
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
KAINGU, F.B., KIBOR, A.C., SHIVAIRO, R., KUTIMA, H., GITONGA, L.M., WIHENYA, R. and KAHI, A.K. (2010b) Activity of Aloe secundiflora crude extracts on Ascaridia galli in vitro. Proceedings of the Animal Production Society of Kenya annual symposium, 20-22 April 2010, Garissa, Kenya.Google Scholar
KAINGU, F.B., KIBOR, A.C., SHIVAIRO, R., KUTIMA, H., OKENO, T.O., WAIHENYA, R. and KAHI, A.K. (2010a) 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
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
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., 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.Google Scholar
KITALYI, A.J. (1998) Village chicken production systems in rural Africa: Household food security and gender issues. Animal Production and Health Paper No. 142, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
KNBS, (2009) Sectoral Statistics. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Nairobi, Kenya: http://www.knbs.or.ke [accessed 27 Sep. 2009].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. (2006a) Genetic parameters for egg and juvenile body weights of indigenous chicken genetic resources in Kenya. Proceedings of the 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, 13-18 August 2006, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, CD-ROM.Google Scholar
MAGOTHE, T.M., MUHUYI, W.B. and KAHI, A.K. (2006b) 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. (2010) 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.Google Scholar
MAINA, J.O. (2000) Morphological and molecular characterization of Kenyan indigenous chickens. Ph.D. Thesis, Egerton University, Njoro, 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. 33-34Google Scholar
MALLIA, J.G. (1998) The Black Maltese: a Mediterranean, light breed of poultry. Animal Genetic Resources Information 24: 41-48.CrossRefGoogle 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.Google Scholar
MOISEYEVA, I.G., ROMANOV, M.N., NIKIFOROV, A.A., SEVASTYANOVA, A.A. and SEMYENOVA, S.K. (2003) Evolutionary relationships of Red Jungle Fowl and chicken breeds. Genetics Selection Evolution 35: 403-423.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MOLD, (1985) Animal Production Division Annual Report. Ministry of Livestock Development, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
MOLD, (1994) Animal Production Division Annual Report. Ministry of Livestock Development, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
MOLD, (2004) Animal Production Division Annual Report. Ministry of Livestock Development, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
MOLD, (2006) Animal Production Division Annual Report. Ministry of Livestock Development, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
MOLD, (2008) The National Livestock Policy. Ministry of Livestock Development, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
MUNGUBE, E.O., BAUNI, S.M., TENHAGEN, B.A., WAMAE, L.W., NZIOKA, S.M., MUHAMMED, L. and NGINYI, J.M. (2008) Prevalence of parasites of the local scavenging chickens in a selected semi-arid zone of Eastern Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production 40: 101-109.Google Scholar
MWACHARO, J.M., NOMURA, K., HANADA, H., JIANLIN, H., HANOTTE, O. and AMANO, T. (2007) Genetic relationships among Kenyan and other East African indigenous chickens. Animal Genetics 38: 485-490.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
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
NWANTA, J.A., ABDU, P.A. and EZEMA, W.S. (2008) Epidemiology, challenges and prospects for control of Newcastle disease in village poultry in Nigeria. World's Poultry Science Journal 64: 119-127.Google Scholar
NYAGA, P.N. (2007) Kenya poultry sector review. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
NZIOKA, M. (2000) Indigenous poultry production in the Katumani mandate districts: constraints and prospects. Proceedings of the end of Agricultural Research Project Phase II Conference, Nairobi, Kenya. pp 213-225.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., 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
ONDWASSY, H.O., OKITOI, L.O., OBALI, M.P., SIMWA, S.M. and WAKHUSAMA, S.W. (2000) Epidemiology of helminths in indigenous chicken in Western Kenya. Proceedings of the 7th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 407-412.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
SONAIYA, E.B. (2007) Family poultry, food security and the impact of HPAI. World's Poultry Science Journal 63: 132-138.Google Scholar
SONAIYA, E.B. and SWAN, S.E.J. (2004) Small-scale poultry production technical guide. Animal Production and Health Paper No. 1, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
SSEWANNYANA, E., ONYAIT, A.O., OGWAL OKOT, J. and MASABA, J. (2006) Strategies for improving the meat and egg productivity of indigenous chickens in Kumi and Apac districts, Uganda. Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences 12: 31-35.Google Scholar
TIXIER-BOICHARD, M. (2002) From phenotype to genotype: Major genes in chickens. World's Poultry Science Journal 58: 35-45.Google Scholar
TUITOEK, T.K., CHEMJOR, W., NDEGWA, J.M. and OTTARO, J.M. (1998) Morphological characteristics and protein requirements of Kenyan indigenous chicken. Proceedings of the 6th Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Biennial Scientific Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 1-9.Google 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