Mortality as the primary constraint to enhancing nutritional and financial gains from poultry: A multi-year longitudinal study of smallholder farmers in western Kenya

Abstract

BackgroundChickens are a widely held economic and nutritional asset in rural Africa and are frequently managed by women. Despite potential benefits of larger flock sizes, the average number of chickens kept at the household level is reported to be low. Whether this reflects decisionmaking to maximize benefits per unit labor by voluntary reduction of chicken numbers by consumption or sale versus involuntary losses due to mortality is a significant gap in knowledge relevant to improving smallholder household welfare. MethodsIn a 4-year longitudinal study of 1,908 smallholder households in rural western Kenya, the number of chickens owned by quarterly census at each household was determined. Households reported gains and losses of chicken over the immediate previous quarter. Gains were classified as on-farm or off-farm; losses were classified as voluntary (sales, gifts, consumption) or involuntary (mortality, unclassified loss). ResultsThe mean number of chickens owned over the 16 quarters was 10, consistent with prior cross-sectional data. Involuntary losses represented 70% of total off-take, while voluntary off-take represented the remaining 30%. Mortality composed 60% of total reported off-take and accounted for most of the involuntary losses. Household consumption, sales, and gifts represented 18%, 9%, and 3% of off-take, respectively.

Impact of routine Newcastle disease vaccination on chicken flock size in smallholder farms in western Kenya

“…The self-reported mortality by the household respondents indicated no significant difference in mortality between the vaccinated and control flocks (Fig 4). This discrepancy between independent census data and self-reported data has been previously observed among households in the study region [13]. In the prior study, individuals consistently overestimated gains and underestimated losses relative to actual census data [13].…”

“…Finally, whether increased flock sizes are desirable from a labor management perspective is important, especially given that women, who most commonly have primary responsibility for PLOS ONE flock husbandry management in this region, have multiple other demands on their effort. In a prior study [13], we assessed whether poultry owning households in this region maintained relatively small flock sizes as a deliberate decision to maximize benefits per unit labor by voluntary reduction of chicken numbers by consumption or sale versus involuntary losses due to mortality, predation or theft. The overwhelming majority of off-take was involuntary, principally due to mortality, that does not reflect the owner's decision to maximize value through nutritional gain, income, or social capital.…”

“…Despite the global representation of chickens as the primary smallholder animal asset, small flock sizes and overall low productivity limit maximizing potential benefits [ 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Importantly, the low flock sizes do not appear to represent an economic based decision to optimize labour input while maximizing gain from household consumption or sale but rather a high level of involuntary losses due to mortality and predation [ 13 ]. A recent 4-year longitudinal study of 1,908 households in western Kenya found that the mean flock size was approximately 10 and highly stable over time, reflecting a balance of new chicks hatched on premises and losses, 60% of which were due to mortality [ 13 ].…”

“…Importantly, the low flock sizes do not appear to represent an economic based decision to optimize labour input while maximizing gain from household consumption or sale but rather a high level of involuntary losses due to mortality and predation [ 13 ]. A recent 4-year longitudinal study of 1,908 households in western Kenya found that the mean flock size was approximately 10 and highly stable over time, reflecting a balance of new chicks hatched on premises and losses, 60% of which were due to mortality [ 13 ]. Inputs into smallholder flocks were minimal: 98% of households reported that chickens scavenge for all or most of their feed during the day and 93% house chickens within the family dwelling at night [ 13 ].…”

“…A recent 4-year longitudinal study of 1,908 households in western Kenya found that the mean flock size was approximately 10 and highly stable over time, reflecting a balance of new chicks hatched on premises and losses, 60% of which were due to mortality [ 13 ]. Inputs into smallholder flocks were minimal: 98% of households reported that chickens scavenge for all or most of their feed during the day and 93% house chickens within the family dwelling at night [ 13 ]. Vaccination, supplemental nutrition, and treatment of endo- and ecto-parasites that would be expected to reduce morbidity and mortality [ 14 ] were uncommon [ 13 ].…”