The Rakai chicken model: an approach that has improved fortunes for Ugandan farmers

Abstract

Poverty is widespread in Rakai district, which had been badly affected by HIV/AIDS resulting in many orphan-headed households. A poultry improvement programme based on local practices and cross-breeding indigenous chickens was desired by the communities to improve their income. Partnerships for implementation were strategically chosen. Scaling out was realized through participatory approaches, use of trainers from the communities, establishment of the Rakai Chicken Breeders Association, commercially and locally managed Integrated Feed Centres, market orientation and independent financial services, collaborating with and influencing local institutions. The average increased income as a result of improved poultry keeping was US$1050 per household per annum. The project contributed to increased gender awareness, leadership and entrepreneurial skills, increased status of trainers and investments in other businesses.

Effect of age on production characteristics of Boschveld indigenous chickens of South Africa reared intensively

“…Meanwhile the mean bodyweight of the chickens studied ranged from 1.65 kg to 2.39 kg at 44 weeks old. This is lighter than the values reported by Islam et al (2014) and Roothaert et al (2011)in the Varanaja and Rakai indigenous chicken breeds of India and Uganda, respectively. A value of 2.98 kg was reported at 40 weeks for Vanaraja reared extensively, and 2.5 kg at 45 weeks for the Rakai when reared extensively.…”

“…Similarly, Khawaja et al (2012) reported average egg weights of 44.42 g, 43.35 g, and 56.83 g for Desi, Fayoumi and Rhode Island Red (RIR) breeds of chicken, respectively, reared up to 72 weeks old, which were comparatively lower than values recorded by the Boschveld chickens. Although the Boschveld birds came into lay at 21 weeks old (147 days), the Varanaja, an indigenous breed of India, and the Rakai, an indigenous breed of Uganda, came into lay at 187.45, 201.31 and 154 days, respectively (Islam et al, 2014;Roothaert et al, 2011). This shows that Boschveld chickens come into lay earlier than the breeds reported by Islam et al ( 2014) and Roothaert et al (2011).…”

“…Although the Boschveld birds came into lay at 21 weeks old (147 days), the Varanaja, an indigenous breed of India, and the Rakai, an indigenous breed of Uganda, came into lay at 187.45, 201.31 and 154 days, respectively (Islam et al, 2014;Roothaert et al, 2011). This shows that Boschveld chickens come into lay earlier than the breeds reported by Islam et al ( 2014) and Roothaert et al (2011). This value of 147 days is higher than those reported by Grobbelaar et al(2010) for the Potchefstroom Koekoek (138.5 days), Venda (139.0 days) and Ovambo (134.5 days) breeds.…”

“…Indigenous chickens provide livelihood security to the family and secure the availability of food. Indigenous chicken breeds of African origin are well known for their tropical adaptability and disease resistance, but are considered of low productivity (Roothaert et al, 2011), although their plumage colour helps to protect them against predators. The first priority of today's rural poultry farmer is to have birds that not only lay more eggs, but that lay eggs with an optimum size, and grow to an optimum bodyweight with plumage of similar colour to indigenous birds.…”

“…Although these birds are being used for rural backyard poultry production, their genetic potential has not been fully exploited. Improvements of native breeds through selection are being carried out, but have to be given more importance (Dessie et al, 2011;Magothe et al, 2012b;Roothaert et al, 2011;Selvaggi et al, 2015). Indigenous chickens provide livelihood security to the family and secure the availability of food.…”