By Herbert Musoke and Joshua Kato
Ssaalongo Robert Sserwanga the renowned poultry trainer during the Harvest Money expo says that poultry is the most popular type of livestock kept in East Africa. Between 2013 and 2022, the poultry population in Uganda grew by 9.6% and egg production grew by 9% with chicken being predominant. Uganda has about 50.6 million birds out of which Indigenous-43.7 m, Exotic-5.85 m)
Last year, a tray of eggs ranged between sh12,000-20,000 depending on the type of eggs and the season. A dressed broiler cost between sh15,000 and sh30,000 depending on the size of the bird and the season.
He adds that poultry contributes to improved human nutrition and food security by being a leading source of high-quality protein in the form of eggs and meat. It acts as a key supplement to revenue from crops and other livestock enterprises, thus avoiding over-dependency on traditional commodities with inconsistent prices. It has a high potential to generate foreign exchange earnings through the export of poultry products to neighbouring countries. Poultry is highly prized in many social-cultural functions such as dowry and festivities.
Production Requirements
Dr. Samule Ssewagudde the director of Tunga nutrition the sponsors of Harvest money expo, explains that;
o A Balanced ration/diet contains all nutrients required for the different poultry types like broilers and layers, production systems and age in adequate amounts.
o A poultry feed is made from a mixture of many raw materials- energy, protein, mineral sources as well as vitamins, amino acids. The principles of feed mixing should be understood before mixing of any feed. For a profitable poultry farm, you should start with using feed concentrates that come with mixing formulas and after getting experience you can start mixing your own feeds but you can also hire experts.
o Feed is the most expensive component of poultry production up 70% of the cost. Its control can greatly affect the margins of the enterprise by using proper feeders to avoid wastage, quality of the feed.
o The importance of water quality, temperature, and good water sources for production cannot be over emphasized because it is very important in the body of the bird.
o Equitable distribution in poultry houses is paramount.
o In order to prevent miss-diagnosis on the farm, call a veterinary doctor to help with issues of diseases and drug administration.
Expenditure
Sserwanga gives an example of layer bids, and explains that if you can start with 100 birds that will occupy 10f by 15ft space. You need 5 feeders, one at least 2 drinkers each costing about shs5, 000. Each chick will cost shs5, 200. By the time they start laying in five months a farmer will have spent shs1.9m. Each hen will lay between 250 and 300 eggs for its lifetime which is 8.3 and 10 trays. If a tray is sold at shs9, 000, they will earn shs74, 700 and 90, 000. Thus, from 100 chickens you will earn between shs7.47m and shs9m.
Earnings
o Rearing 1,000 brooded improved breeds (4 weeks) earnings average sh8,550,000
o Rearing 500 broiler production (5 weeks) using pellet feeds earnings average sh11,400,000
o rearing 500 layers commercial birds on deep litter (80 weeks) earning sh57,750,000
