Comparison of economic impact of alternative constraint control measures in indigenous chicken production in Nyanza Province, Kenya

Abstract

This study compared the costs and benefits of six alternative control measures on the indigenous chicken productivity constraints with an aim of identifying the most desirable mitigation measure; for improved productivity of the birds. The study was conducted in Migwa and Kagak villages in Kasipul division of Rachuonyo South district. The study first used rapid rural appraisal (RRA) tools as described by Chamber (1994); to prioritize the constraints limiting indigenous chicken production in the study area. A twelve month set of controlled intervention trials in 80 study households, were designed into six intervention and one control groups, was later carried out to test for effects of the mitigation measures on the prioritized constraints that were: diseases (Newcastle, Gumboro and fowl pox), predations (in chicks) and inadequate nutrition, in order of importance, respectively. Productivity parameters and rates that included clutch sizes and numbers, flock sizes and structures, mortality, hatchability and chick survival rates were monitored during the entire study period. The data was obtained by actual measurement, on spot observation, interview of household members directly responsible for the care of the indigenous chickens, community group discussions, post mortem examination on sick and fresh dead birds and laboratory sample analysis (from sick and dead birds). Benefits and costs analysis technique was then applied to identify the most desirable mitigation measures by comparing the net present values (NPVs) of the six alternative intervention approaches.

The study identified integrated intervention, which included concurrent control, by vaccinations, of important indigenous chicken diseases (Newcastle, Gumboro and fowl pox), prevention of predations (especially in chicks by confinement) and improvement of the birds’ nutrition by consistently providing maize grains and chicken left over supplementations; as the most appropriate and sustainable technology, for the improvement of productivity of the indigenous chickens.