Poultry production in Mashare Agricultural Development Institute

Abstract

Abstract by author:

Flock Poultry records collected at Mashare Agricultural Development Institute [MADI] over the years 1998 - 2004 were collected, edited and analyzed. The project was carried out with the general objective of analyzing the records in the poultry unit of Mashare Agricultural Development Institute with the view to advising management. The specific objectives of the study were to estimate the parameters: hatchability, laying percentage, mortality rate, percentage eggs set as well as wastage using the records obtained; and to examine the year and seasonal trends in performance for the four strains. In general, the results showed that egg production levels in MADI were low. Hatchability percentages obtained were lower than those reported by literature. Mortality was very low compared to reports from other studies. This can be attributed to adequate measures taken for preventing higher death losses. The mortality obtained (0. 08, O. 11, 0. 10 and 0. 17) represents a small reproductive wastage. Causes of mortality were difficult to identify, because records could not provide enough details to allow for a conclusive diagnosis. The percentage eggs set (67, 82, 90 and 87) were relatively high, but lower than that reported in literature. Egg wastage (7. 2, 5. 2, 3. 8 and 4. 4) was much higher than that reported in literature. Factors contributing to the high wastage are complex, but management skills and feed quality appear to be immediate areas for improvement