| dc.description.abstract | In Kenya information on factors that limit optimal health and productivity in
smallholder pig herds is lacking. The objectives of this study were therefore to: I.
Describe the herd -level characteristics and the farmers' perception of pig production
constraints: 2. Determine baseline pig health and productivity parameters: 3. Determine
the herd-level factors associated with pig health and productivity: 4. Evaluate the
relative cost-effectiveness of alternative health interventions against priority disease
constraints.
Five administrative locations in a peri-urban Kikuyu Division. Kiambu District.
were purposively selected for the three-phase study The first phase was a crosssectional
study in which 87 herds were randomly selected and visited once in 1998
Farm-level constraints to production data were collected using semi-closed survey
questionnaires. The second phase was a longitudinal study where 76 herds that
previously participated in the first phase were visited once a month in 1999 for 11
months. Health and productivity data were recorded in specific record cards. During
the visits. pigs up to 40 kg were weighed and faecal samples for faecal egg counts and
earwax tor mite detection were taken once. The third phase was a longitudinal
intervention study where 40 herds that previously participated in the second phase were
randomly allocated to 3 treatments and I control group. Various treatments against
helminths and sarcoptic mange were administered to the different pig groups. The
herds were visited on days, 0, 7, 14, 28, 68, and 96. Faecal samples tor faecal egg
count and ear wax for mite detection were taken before the treatment and during
subsequent visits.
Descriptive statistics, tests of associations, binary logistic regression and costeffectiveness
analysis were performed on the data.
All farmers cited 'source of income' as the reason for keeping pigs. Majority
(78%) did not seek for any extension information and depended on family labour
(90%) for pig production. The production constraints identified by the farmers were
high cost of feeds that w,ere of variable qualities, lack of credit, lack of genetically
quality breeding boars, poor marketing and diseases. Sarcoptic mange, helminthosis,
diarrhoea and pneumonia were highly ranked.
Pigs were kept indoors. Concrete, wooden and dirt floors were found in 66.7%,
24.1 ~/o and 9.2% of the herds respectively. Bedding, especially in the farrowing area,
was used in 90.8% of the herds. Guard rails/piglet protection devices were present in
22% of the herds. Few (8%) farmers disinfected pig pens. Thirty three percent of
farmers kept some written records on husbandry practices and production. None of the
farmers reported use of vaccination against pig diseases. Majority (83.9%) of the
farmers controlled mange and helminths (96%). Farmers controlled mange by use of
acaricides (50%), used engine oil (37%) and a combination of the two (12%). All the
farmers used anthelmintics to manage helminthosis.
All farmers practised restricted feeding and fed their pigs on commercial feed
(69%), swill (26%), self-formulated feeds (1%), forage (4%) and creep feed (92%).
The production systems employed by the farmers were, farrow- to- finish
(68%), farrow-to-weaner (16%) and feeder operation (5%). Majority (87%) of the
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farmers weaned the piglets at the age of 2 months. All the farmers practised natural
mating but, majority (59.8%) did not keep a boar.
Overall, the preweaning crude morbidity cumulative incidence was 29%. The
common diseases were pruritus (17.1 %), skin necrosis (3~/o)and diarrhoea (2.5%). The
crude mortality was] 8.7% with the highest mortality occurring during the first week
postpartum mainly due to overlying (9.9%). The average daily weight gain (AD\VG)
achieved by the piglets was 0.13 kg/day.
Preweaning piglet morbidity was not (p>0.05) associated with the herd-level
factors investigated. Herds where sows were supplemented with protein rich feeds had
reduced odds (OR=0.03) of having a low piglet mortality. Supplementation of sows
with protein rich teeds was associated (OR=15) with a higher ADWG in piglets.
The grower crude morbidity cumulative incidence was 20% with the most
common diseases being pruritus (21.1 %), unknown causes (2.3%) and gut oedema
0.3%) The crude mortality was 3.8%>with the most important causes being unknown
causes (1.6%) and gut oedema (1.3%) The grower average weight age ratio was 5.2
kg/month of age and the ADWG was 0 16 kg/day.
The grower morbidity was not (p>0.05) associated with the herd-level factors
investigated. Good hygiene of the pig house was associated (OR=8) with reduced
mortality. Weight age ratio and ADWG were not (p>0.05) associated with the herd
level risk factors investigated.
The weaning-to-service interval was 3.2 months and the interfarrowing interval
(IFI) was 6.9 months. The mean number of live born piglets per farrowing (NLBP) was
9.2 and the mean number weaned was 6.9. The mean lactation length was 2.2 months.
Supplementation of the sow with protein rich feeds was associated (OR=14)
with increased number oflive born piglets (NLBP).
The results of the interventions revealed that the anthelmintic activity of
ivermectin was significantly (p<0.05) higher than for piperazine from day 7 to day 68
post-treatment. The anthelmintic activity ofivermectin was not different (p>0.05) from
that of levamisole.
Significantly (p<0.05) lower number of pigs positive for mites were observed
on day 14 post-treat,ment with the ivermectin as compared to the control group. The
proportion of pigs positive for mites was not different (p>0.05) between the ivermectin
and amitraz treatment groups throughout the study period.
The costs oflabour for the treatments were, ivermectin ($0.25),
piperazine/amitraz ($0.04) and levamisole/amitraz ($0.04). The overall costs for the
treatments were ivermectin ($0.5), piperazine/amitraz ($0.31) and levamisole/amitraz
($0.26).
Most of the health and husbandry aspects associated with productivity are
amenable to manipulation and can be addressed by use of appropriate preventive
methods and extension services. Therefore, the delivery of extension information to pig
farmers should be improved. The limiting role of nutrition has been highlighted but the
formulation of appropriate and cost-effective diets may prove problematic due to nonavailability
of on-farm alternative feed. However, attention could be paid to alternative
cereals at the national level to supplement maize as this would lead to reduction in the
prices of pig feeds. Supplementation of pigs with protein rich feeds, improvement of
sow performance and reduction of grower pig mortality could considerably improve
productivity of pigs in the smallholder herds. | en |
