Performance of local and local x improved chicken crosses under semi-intensive management system in Northern Uganda

Abstract

Despite the efforts to improve Uganda’s chicken production through crossbreeding, limited research has been conducted to establish the performance of local x improved chicken crosses under the dominant management systems used by chicken rearing households. The current study aimed to assess the performance of local x improved chicken crosses under semi-intensive management system in Pader and Agago districts of Northern Uganda, where crossing of local with imported Kuroiler chickens has been promoted over time. A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire and observation was conducted in two purposively selected sub-counties per district among 246 respondents to establish the sociodemographic characteristics of chicken farmers and reasons for crossing. Using a Completely Randomised Block Design, an experiment was set up to compare the performance of local chickens and local x improved chicken (Kuroiler) crosses in terms of egg production and hatchability. All respondents practiced crossing with the aim of enhancing egg production in their chicken flocks. Under semi-intensive management system, hatchability of the eggs from crossbred chickens did not differ (P ≥ 0.05) from that of the eggs laid by the local chickens. In conclusion, although crossbred chickens exhibited hybrid vigour in terms of egg production under free range and semi-intensive systems, the hatchability of the eggs from crossbred chickens raised under semi-intensive system did not differ from that of eggs from local chickens. Future research should consider establishing the quality attributes of eggs of the local x improved chicken crosses in the dominant management systems among chicken keeping households in Uganda.

Keywords:

• Kuroiler
• crossbreeding
• egg production
• hatchability
• local chicken

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Chicken production is an important venture that has the potential to improve the livelihoods of smallholder rural communities in Uganda. Nevertheless, Uganda’s chicken population is dominated by the indigenous chickens which are characterized by low egg production and slow growth rate. Crossing the local chickens with imported Kuroilers has been used as a strategy by several farmers to improve the performance, especially in terms of egg production, of their chicken enterprises. Limited information, however, exists on how these crosses perform under free-ranging and semi-intensive systems of management, yet this would guide policy on decisions to improve the performance of the chicken subsector, especially among smallholder communities. The current study, therefore, highlights the performance, in terms of egg production and hatchability, of crosses of indigenous Ugandan chickens and the imported Kuroiler. The results from the current study are essential in informing policy makers on strategies to improve smallholder chicken production systems in Uganda.

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to the DVOs and extension workers of the study districts, respondents and host farmers for the cooperation during the entire period of study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

All the necessary data for the study will be availed on request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samuel Ochora

Samuel Ochora is an Msc Student of Animal Production and Marketing of Gulu University. He also serves as the Acting District Veterinary Officer Amuru District, Northern Uganda.

Junior Senyonga Kasima

Junior Senyonga Kasima holds an MSc. in Animal Production and Marketing of Gulu University. He has gotten involved in extensive research in non-ruminant production and nutrition among smallholder communities in Northern Uganda, with the aim of developing alternative feeding options for enhanced production and profitability of non-ruminant enterprises.

Wilfred Marion Okot

Wilfred Marion Okot is a Professor of Animal Science (poultry Nutrition) in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University. He has widely published peer-reviewed articles in the field of poultry nutrition and has accumulated a great wealth of experience in Uganda’s poultry sector spanning from the immense research he has conducted.

Elly Kurobuza Ndyomugyenyi

Elly Kurobuza Ndyomugyenyi is an Associate Professor of Animal Science (non-ruminant nutrition) and the Head, Department of Animal Production and Range Management at Gulu University. He has conducted much research in the field of non-ruminant nutrition with much interest in alternative feeding options for enhanced production among smallholder communities.