Influence Of Management On Welfare And Performance Of Broiler Chickens In Small Scale Intensive Production Systems In Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, commercial broiler production is developing rapidly due to increasing demand for poultry meat and higher income for farmers. It is one of the popular animal enterprises and is ranked second to dairy farming in Kikuyu and Kabete sub-counties of Kiambu County. However, commercial broiler production is characterized by intensive operations in which broiler chickens are overstocked in deep litter systems. Ineffective cleaning of deep litter units result in ammonia build up which causes burns on feet, breasts and hocks with constant foot pad lesions, thus compromising the welfare of the birds and affecting production. Moreover, these issues are compounded by inadequate knowledge of welfare issues by farmers and their perceptions and attitudes on the same. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess how management factors influenced welfare and performance of broiler chickens in Kiambu County, Kenya. The objectives of this study were to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices of farmers in relation to the welfare of broilers; to determine management factors that influence welfare of broilers in small scale production systems; and to evaluate the effects of welfare on performance of broiler chickens. A total of 120 broiler farmers were selected randomly from Kikuyu and Kabete sub-counties. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather information on their socio-economic characteristics such as age, gender, marital status, education level, land size and years in broiler keeping. Information was also collected on farmers‟ knowledge, attitudes and practices in regards to broiler welfare. Management and resource-based measurements were taken to assess feeding and watering spaces, stocking densities, open spaces, house humidity, house temperatures and depth of litter. Levels of ammonia in the house and litter quality of the poultry, feet conditions of broilers were evaluated. Behaviour of broilers and characteristics of farm productivity were also assessed. Four focus group discussions were held, two in each sub-county of Kikuyu and Kabete, respectively. The results of this study showed that farmers xvi with knowledge on animal welfare were 54.7±0.50% and 93.6±0.24% in Kikuyu and Kabete sub-counties, respectively. Farmers accessed information on animal welfare through the media (61.0%), hatcheries (40.2%), agro-vet shops (37.8%) and government extension agents (30.5%). Good feeding, good health, suitable housing and appropriate behaviour were perceived to be very important indicators of broiler welfare by 88.3, 83, 82 and 48% of the farmers respectively. Most farmers (90.5%) vaccinated their birds against Gumboro and New Castle Disease, while coccidiosis was managed through sanitation practices such as cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses and equipment as well as treatment (22.6%) of sick birds with coccidiostat. About 29.8% of farmers isolated sick birds in order to prevent spread of diseases in their flocks. The mean feeding space was 10.69±1.86 cm/bird, while the linear watering space was 6.92±1.09 cm/bird. The feeding space was within the recommended range of 3-12 cm/bird depending on the age of broilers. Accordingly, broilers of 0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, and >4 weeks should have 3, 5 and 8-12 cm of feeding space/bird, respectively. The watering space was slightly above the recommended 1.3-5.0 cm/bird dependent on the age of the birds. The stocking density was 12.9±9.6 and 16.9±13.8 kg/m2 in Kikuyu and Kabete sub-counties, respectively. This was within the recommended range of 10-30 kg/m2 for broiler chickens raised in deep litter floor systems. The average humidity recorded in poultry houses was 49.1±0.58% and 49.6±0.57% in Kikuyu and Kabete, respectively. This was so close to the ideal humidity recommended for broiler chickens (50-65%). Conversely, the average temperature recorded in poultry houses at the time of study was 26.8±0.69 °C and 26.6±0.59 °C in Kikuyu and Kabete, respectively. This was within the recommended temperature (21.8-31.3 °C) for maximum weight gain for broilers aged 1-3 weeks. The mean open space of poultry houses in the two sub-counties was 2.38±2.27 m2. Majority (46.6%) of broiler houses did not have detectable ammonia smell or eye irritation while moderate smell and eye irritation were reported in 43.5% of the houses. Only 9.8% of houses had a strong xvii ammonia smell and irritation to eyes. At least 88.7% of the flocks studied had a litter depth of 5-10 cm, while 88.6% of houses had dry litter. Disease incidences were reported by 57% of the farmers. Coccidiosis was the main cause of mortality followed by pneumonia at 82% and 13.1%, respectively. About 70% of farmers reported to have observed their birds expressing fear at least twice a week caused mainly by human disturbances. There was no significant correlation (P>0.05) between the live weight of broilers and feeding and watering spaces, litter quality, stocking density and breast blisters. Findings from this study showed that about 74% of the farmers had knowledge on animal welfare and majority of them accessed information on animal welfare through the media, hatcheries, agro-vet shops and county extension agents. Vaccination and sanitation practices were the main mode of disease prevention for most farmers. Broiler welfare needs in terms of good feeding, good health, stocking density; house temperature, house humidity, and litter depth and litter quality were met. However, broiler welfare needs in terms of appropriate behaviour were compromised as none of the farmers provided facilities for expression of normal behaviour. The overall assessment of this study was that the welfare of broilers was enhanced (good) though some of their needs were not met. Therefore, this study recommends that the relevant authorities should step up country wide sensitization of farmers on welfare issues of poultry and other farm animals in order to increase sensitivity on the same and inform the necessary policies and legislation for sufficient enforcement of the existing legislative acts on livestock. Keywords: poultry, deep litter, broiler welfare, production systems.