ii

EVALUATION OF BROILER CHICKEN HOUSING AND FEEDING

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN SOME LOCALITIES OF BAMBUI TUBAH
SUB-DIVISION

A Dissertation Submitted In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the

Award of Bachelor of Science Degree (B. Sc) in Animal Science

BY

SHEY NDOGMI YONIWO (BUST/HIARD/15/2826)

DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY

I, Shey Ndogmi Yoniwo (BUST/HIARD/15/2826) declare that all the material here
presented to BUST is my own, or fully and specifically acknowledged wherever
adopted from other sources. I understand that if at any time it is shown that I have
significantly misinterpreted materials presented to the University, any degree or credits
awarded on the basis of that material may be removed.

Student Name and Matriculation No: Shey Ndogmi Yoniwo

(BUST/HIARD/15/2826)

Student’s Signature: ___________________ Date: _______________________

Supervisor’s Name: Dr. Ndoping Beatrice (Ph.D.)

Supervisor’s signature: _________________ Date: _______________________

Chairperson of Examining Committee:

Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________________

 iii

DEDICATION

I Dedicate This Book

To

GOD ALMIGHTY
 iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My special thanks to my supervisor Dr. Ndoping Beatrice who gave in her best to see
to it that this project was not only completed but the best amongst many.

My sincere thanks to the University of Dcshang (FASA) and the entire Administration
of Bamenda University of Science and Technology (BUST) who in cooperation made
it possible for me and my classmates from different professional schools to be able to
study in BUST but yet still obtain a B. Sc in Animal Science Certificate from the
University of Dschang.

I wish to thank Dr. Alfred Funteh who facilitated my data analysis through lectures
and provision of video aided tips on the use of Microsoft Excel for data analysis.

My sincere appreciation to my father Mr Robertson Njeta and mothers Mrs Njeta

Winifred and Mrs Njeta Mercy for their relentless financial contribution to my
educational carrier even in the midst financial difficulties and hardship. May God
reward them mightily for endless efforts and may you reap the fruits of your labour.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my elder sister and mum Mrs Tombi Marie-
Therese, my brother in the Lord Mishael Tayah Nfor and my mentor in the Lord
Evangelist Tifuh Oliver for their material and spiritual support throughout my time
being in Bamenda.

Special thanks to my brothers and sisters who in one way or the other helped me to
achievement of this report not forgetting my brethrens in Lord and friends for their
prayers on my behalf.

Last but not least a mighty thanks to “Jehovah Jireh” my provider who saw to it i
lacked nothing in the accomplishment of this great struggle.
 v

ABSTRACT

Broiler chicken production is an important sub-sector in Cameroon contributing up to

72% of national poultry production characterised mainly by small to medium size
firms, unqualified personnel and capital investment.

The aim of this research was to evaluate broiler chicken housing and feeding
management systems in Bambui. Primary data was collected through door to door
administration of pretested questionnaire and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2013.

Results revealed that all age groups were involved in broiler chicken production with
51.7% being women. Most farmers were literates with 26.7% attending high school
and above. Most farmers were operating on small scale (102+10.09 birds/farmer on
average) characterised by the cage in house systems (46.7%). The average floor space
was 24.82m2 ±4.71 with a stocking density of 4 birds/m2. Contrary to norms, most
poultry houses faced North-South.

Farms had mostly grower and adult feeders with 45% having capacities of 4 to 6kg.
All farmers obtained feed from commercial suppliers with just 11.7% also providing
self-formulated feed. Most farmers (41.7%) fed birds twice/day with feeding interval
of 6 to 12 hours. Water was available and regular and was being offered to birds on a
6 to 12 hours interval.

Quantity of feed given to broiler birds on average was 138.56g/broiler chicken/day

and birds had an average weight of 4 kg and above at 8 weeks of age.

Outcome shows that performance of birds were good but proper record keeping is
required to carry out cost benefit analysis which will help determine the profitability
of these broiler chicken farms.

Keywords: broiler production, Bambui, Housing, feeding

 vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE …………………………………………………………………....i

DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY ...................................................................... ii
DEDICATION................................................................................................................ iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................. iv
ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... v
TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................. vi
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................viii
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ix
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................ x
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................. 1
1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1
1.1 Background of the Study ...................................................................................... 1
1.2 Problem statement ................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Research questions ................................................................................................ 3
1.4 Objectives............................................................................................................... 3
1.4.1 Main objective .................................................................................................... 3
1.4.2 Specific objective ................................................................................................ 3
1.5 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................... 3
1.6 Limitations to the Study ....................................................................................... 4
1.4.5 Definition of terms ............................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................ 6
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................ 6
2.1 Housing .................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Start-Up/Running Capital and Economic Status ............................................... 7
2.3 Feed and Feeding .................................................................................................. 8
2.4 Poultry Rearing and Housing systems ................................................................ 9
2.5 Stocking density .................................................................................................. 10
2.6 Water Consumption............................................................................................ 11
2.7 Ventilation ........................................................................................................... 11
2.8 Light ..................................................................................................................... 12
2.9 Health ................................................................................................................... 12
CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................... 13
 vii

3.0 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................. 13

3.1 Research Design .................................................................................................. 13
3.2 Study Variables ................................................................................................... 13
3.3 Study Area ........................................................................................................... 13
3.4 Study Population ................................................................................................. 14
3.5 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure ............................................................... 15
3.6 Data Collection .................................................................................................... 15
3.7 Data analysis ........................................................................................................ 15
CHAPTER FOUR......................................................................................................... 16
4.0 RESULTS ................................................................................................................ 16
4.1 Section A: Background Information ................................................................. 16
4.1.1 Gender, Age, Household size, Marital Status, Highest Level of Education and
Housing Arrangement of Respondents ................................................................... 16
4.1.2 Occupation, Initial & Running Capital and Production Goal ..................... 17
4.2 Section B: Facilities, Housing, Feeding and Health ......................................... 18
4.2.1 Utilities, Home Appliances and Transportation ............................................ 18
4.2.2 Building Orientation, Housing type, Purpose of Building, Ventilation, Rearing
System, Number of Buildings, Pens/Building. ........................................................ 19
4.2.3 Roof, Floor and Wall Design and Material.................................................... 21
4.2.4 Wall, Floor and Roof Heights ......................................................................... 22
4.2.5 Floor space, Broiler chicken Population Stocking Density .......................... 23
4.2.6 Drinkers and Feeders ...................................................................................... 24
4.2.7 Watering ........................................................................................................... 25
4.2.8 Feeding .............................................................................................................. 25
4.2.9 Feed Composition and Proximate Content .................................................... 26
4.2.10 Weight of Broiler Chickens at Different Ages ............................................. 27
4.2.11 Factors Affecting Growth.............................................................................. 28
4.2.12 Common Diseases affecting broiler chickens .............................................. 28
CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................... 29
5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATION......................... 29
5.1 Discussion............................................................................................................. 29
5.2 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 34
5.3 Recommendation................................................................................................. 35
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 36
 viii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Body weight and feed consumption of broiler chickens……………..……….9

Table 2: Stocking density of broiler birds……………………………………………11

Table 3: Broiler chicken Population…………………………………………………23

Table 4: Floor space and dimension of buildings………………………….…………24

Table 5: Feed Composition and Proximate Content……………………....................27

 ix

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig 1: Administrative Map of Bambui (Study Area)…………………………………14

Fig 2: Age, gender, marital status, level of education, household size and housing
arrangement of respondents in Bambui village………………………………............17

Fig 3: Occupation, initial & running capital and production goals of the respondents in
Bambui village………………………………………………………………………18

Fig 4: Utilities and appliances owned by respondents and the means of transportation
of their stock and feed…………………………………………..................................19

Fig 5: Building orientation, housing type, purpose of building, ventilation, rearing

system, number of buildings, pens/building…………………………………………21

Fig 6: Roof, floor and wall design and material………………………………...........22

Fig 7: Wall, floor and roof heights……………………………………………...........23

Fig 8: Drinkers and feeders……………………………………………………..........25

Fig 9: Water availability, sources and regularity…………………………………….26

Fig 10: Feeding…………………………...………………………………………….27

Fig 11: Weight of birds at specific ages……………………………………………...28

Fig 12: Factors affecting growth………………………………………………..........29

Fig 13: Common diseases affecting broiler birds in Bambui village…………………29

 x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

MINEPIA: Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries.

ZVC: Zootechnical and Veterinary Centre.

SES: Socio-Economic Status.

FAO: Food and Agricultural Organisation.

ENEO: New Energy for Cameroon.

S.D: Standard Deviation.

 1

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Livestock is often considered a secondary occupation of many farmers in Bambui

village and the tropics as a whole. Nevertheless, the importance of livestock in the
livelihoods of the rural people cannot be underestimated. Households live on subsistent
farming, often integrating crop production with livestock rearing, yielding
multipurpose products and uses (Branckaert and Guèye, 1999). However, not all
farmers can afford to keep cattle or small ruminants. Poultry is found to have greater
outreach to poor than other livestock (Dolberg, 2001) as keeping a few poultry around
the homestead for food is more affordable than keeping cattle or small ruminants.
Studies (Fasina et al., 2007) have highlighted the contribution of poultry to livelihoods
of resource poor farmers. Poultry are often considered as the starter capital to move
out of poverty as these provide high value food and a small cash income (Jensen and
Dolberg, 2003; Ahuja et al., 2008). In Bambui too, Poultry production is an important
sub-sector as animal products are an essential component in the diets of villagers.
Apart from food and cash income, poultry products in rural Bambui contribute to social
bonding as poultry meat and eggs are used to entertain guests and are also given as
gifts.

1.1 Background of the Study

Broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) originated from the Red jungle fowl of
the Indian subcontinent (Dawkins et al, 2004). The reasons for domestication of
poultry were for food, religious ceremonies and for cock fighting (Scanes et al., 2004).
A broiler by definition is simply a tender meat young chicken of male or female that
grows from a hatch weight of 40 g to a weight over approximately 1.5 to 2 kg by 6
weeks’ time period only. Its introduction into Africa dates back to 1992 (Teguia et al
2004). Its ability to grow fast has been achieved through improved breeding practices,
improved nutrition and good husbandry practices.

In past years, village chicken was the predominant source of poultry meat in Cameroon
but it’s more than obvious that there has been a drastic shift towards the production of
fast growing birds in recent times. This is so as to meet with the high demand of poultry
 2

products in terms of protein as a result of the world’s rapidly growing population

(Hamra, 2010). Another contributing factor is the fact that local chicken has a slow
growth rate and poor feed conversion efficiency as compared to broiler chicken
(Kitalyi 1997; Mashi et al, 2000) and as a result its age of marketing is more than 24
weeks compared to the approximately 6 to 8 weeks of broiler birds (Kitalyi 1997).

Being owned by smallholders in rural areas and controlling up to 72% of national

broiler production (Djoukam and Teguia 1991), broiler chicken production in
Cameroon is characterised mainly by small to medium size firms, by unqualified
personnel, low efficiency of production and capital investment (Teguia and Beynen
2004).

On the other hand broiler production entails high risk compared to village chicken, due
to more expensive investments in terms of buildings and additionally there are costs
for purchasing day old chickens and feed for the animals (Anderson, 2014). Despite
the higher production costs and the higher risks it is still profitable to produce broiler
chickens for slaughter.

1.2 Problem statement

The success or profitability of a broiler chicken is measured in terms of growth rate,

feed conversion ratio, percentage production, returns (profit on sale) and mortality rate.
These factors are affected by the housing and feeding techniques as well as the
husbandry (management) techniques. Housing, feeding and management techniques
are determined by aim or purpose of production (scale of operation) which in turn is
greatly influenced by capital investment and socio-economic status of the farmer.

Consequently the farmer ought to master the above facts in combination with proper
investigation and planning in order for him/her (the farmer) to excel in broiler chicken
production and reap the profits whether in terms of quality meat for home consumption
or financial returns from sales of live or already processed chicken. The project then
seeks to evaluate the broiler housing and feeding management systems practiced by
farmers in Bambui village.
 3

1.3 Research questions:

 How does the socio-economic status and the source of running and initial capital
for the business affects the productivity of the farm?
 What is most used system of rearing adopted by broiler chicken farmers in
Bambui?
 How does stocking density of broiler chickens affect the growth rate of broiler
chickens?
 Which is the main source of feed for the feeding of broiler chickens and the
feeding method employed by broiler chicken farmers in Bambui?

1.4 Objectives

1.4.1 Main objective:

The main objective of the work was to evaluate broiler chicken housing and feeding
management systems in some localities of Bambui of Tubah sub-division.

1.4.2 Specific objective:

Identify the socio-economic status and source of capital of broiler chicken farmers
and its influence on overall productivity.
Identify the different broiler chicken rearing systems employed by farmers and
how stocking density influences the growth of broiler chickens.
Identify the different sources of feed for feeding of broiler chickens and the
feeding techniques employed by broiler chicken farmers.

1.5 Significance of the Study

 From a theoretical view point, the results will enable other researchers who will
envisage to carry out further research on this topic with baseline data as it will
serve as a primary source of information. This report will also serve as source of
literature for researchers who will love to carry out studies in areas of similarity.
 From a practical view point, the recommendations from this work will serve as
baseline information to the Government of Cameroon (Ministry of Livestock,
Fisheries and Animal Husbandry) and other ministries involved in issues
concerning development such as that of Finance, Rural Development. MINEPIA
 4

will benefit from factual data on the productivity and economics of small scale
poultry projects. It will enable them for decision-making in the future in terms
grants, training and subventions for poultry production in Cameroon.
 Most importantly the results will shed more light the different production systems,
contributions of broiler chicken production to farmers‟ livelihood, and the
constraints of poultry rearing which will go a long way to help identify suitable
interventions for improving production to contribute to better livelihoods of the
farmers.

1.6 Limitations to the Study

 The study was a single-visit questionnaire survey, which may not have provided
enough time to obtain accurate information from the respondents. Importantly,
there was no opportunity to cross-check the productivity data by the respondents.
Throughout the entire research project, poor record keeping at farm level acted as
a constraint.
 Reluctance of some farmers in providing accurate information for reasons not
clearly understood also posed a problem. The lack of some research tools such as
measuring tapes acted as a hindrance to the collection of accurate information.
 Due to the absence of the Sub-divisional delegate of MINEPIA for Tubah
subdivision and Chief of the ZVC Bambui during the period of study, door to door
movement was done in order to locate farmers. This was a very strenuous exercise
and it also limited the number of questionnaires administered.
 The administration of questionnaires was limited to availability due to the fact that
the period of data collection coincided with the agricultural season in Bambui.
Most of the broiler chicken farmers were in their respective crop farms and as a
result of this the number of questionnaires administered were limited.

1.4.5 Definition of terms:

Housing: According to the Word Web Dictionary, housing is a collection of structures

or a protective cover designed to contain and or support people, animals or mechanical
objects.

Feed and feeding: Feed otherwise known as feedstuff is simply food for domestic
livestock while feeding the act involved in the provision of feed and nourishment to
 5

an animal (word web dictionary) necessary for growth maintenance and repair of worn
out tissues.

Husbandry: Animal husbandry is the management and care of farm animals by

humans, in which genetic qualities and behaviour, considered to be advantageous to
humans, are further developed. The term can refer to the practice of selectively
breeding and raising livestock to promote desirable traits in animals for utility, sport,
pleasure, or research (Jarman, M.R et al 1976).
 6

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Housing

A properly constructed chicken house, regardless of its size and the materials used, has
certain essential features: a watertight roof, proper ventilation, inner surfaces which
are easy to clean, rat and wild bird proof floor, walls and roof, correct location.

2.1.1 Construction of a non-climatized chicken house

1 The materials which are used should be: durable (lasting), easy to handle and easy
to repair if damaged, readily available and as cheap as possible. Building and repairs
should preferably be carried out by the poultry farm itself in order to reduce costs.

2 The width of the house should generally not exceed 9 metres when only natural
ventilation is used. The length depends on the number of chickens that is going to be
kept and the available building space.

The height of the poultry house should not be less than 2 metres anywhere in order to
make the house easily accessible everywhere (without stooping). Moreover it provides
more volume to the house resulting in a better air quality.

3 The floor should be made of concrete (this is the ideal floor for a chicken house
because it is easy to clean) or be filled with 50 cm (sharp) sand. Wire netting should
be placed under and around a floor made of sand in order to keep rats and other
predators out.

4 In hot climates at least 3 sides should be open (wire netting!) in order to have enough
fresh air (ventilation) for the chickens. By means of boards or mats the sides may be
temporarily and partially closed when there are young chickens inside.

5 The roof should protect the chickens against direct sunlight and rain and for that
reason it should extend the walls for about 50 cm beyond the wall. The roof may be
ridged or slope to one side. If the roof is ridged, this ridge should be open to permit
heat to escape (the natural ventilation is improved by the stack effect). (Gietema,
2005).
 7

When constructing a poultry farm, future plans should be taken into consideration. For
example, after the operation starts, waste material will be generated. Construction
planning should include plans for an isolated area to dispose the waste material without
causing any health or environmental risk (Wood et al., 1998).

2.2 Start-Up/Running Capital and Economic Status

Starting a poultry farm requires start-up capital and a budget for the operations and
represents a substantial investment. Usually farmers get loans from banks or other
lenders for start-up costs (Rhodes et al., 2008). The start-up cost of a poultry farm
varies with the size, and the facilities required for the farm to run. In 2008, the average
cost for a poultry broiler house in Maryland was about $10 per square foot
(approximately 60,000 FCFA per square metre). This number varies depending on the
design, location, equipment required, and doesn’t include the cost of land (Rhodes et
al., 2008). The budget represents the income, fixed & variable costs, profits, and
investment amounts for the poultry farm, depending on its size. These costs include
construction of poultry houses, equipment within the houses and other implements,
wells and water systems, and site preparation (Rhodes et al., 2008). Usually the farmer
gets a loan to cover these initial costs. Running capital usually comes from the Gross
income which represents the total amount of money received by the owner from the
sales of broiler meat and also from the sales of litter or other by-products of the
operation.

Poultry also provide employment opportunities. In Bangladesh, more than 80% of the
rural households are known to rear poultry providing employment to a large section of
the rural mass. Guèye (2000) found that in Africa, women were the main managers
and owners of family poultry allowing women and children to utilize their extra time
for gainful employment and generate income. In many African countries, specific
ownership patterns were observed with women being the owners of poultry in most
cases (Ekue et al., 2002 in Cameroon; Njue et al., 2002 in Kenya) providing them with
income and authority.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an economic and sociological combined total measure

of a person's work experience and of an individual's or family's economic and social
position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation. When
 8

analysing a family's SES, the household income, earners' education, and occupation
are examined, as well as combined income, versus with an individual, when their own
attributes are assessed. Or more commonly known to depict an economic difference in
society as a whole.

2.3 Feed and Feeding

Feed costs have a major impact on the profitability of poultry farm operations. The
high cost of feed is related to the energy and protein contents of the diet. In an
unbalanced diet, with an excess protein, feed would cost more, thus increasing
production costs. With low protein diets, chickens would take more time to grow, and
could be at a higher risk of contracting diseases. Chickens have different nutrient (feed)
requirements depending on their type, age, and sex. Rations formulated to meet
nutrient requirements produce faster growing, and healthier chickens, and thus better
products and more profits (Hamra, 2010). Excess dietary nutrients are often excreted
in the faeces. The excess nitrogen and phosphorus in faeces could cause a threat to the
environment. For this reason, managing feed formulas for accuracy is an important
step in the poultry farm management to safeguard the environment, and reduce
operating costs (Karcher, 2009).

Feed for broilers varies according to age. The percentage ingredients differ between
the starter, grower, and finisher feeds. However, the ingredients in all feeds used
include corn as energy source and soya beans as protein source. Starter feed is used
for chicks between the age of 1 and 10 days. Grower feed was is for chicks between
the age of 11 and 28 days. The finisher feed is used for chicks between the age of 29
and 50 days. The variation in feed quantities is related to chick size and growth stage.
The conversion of feed differs between the three levels of growth, with broilers in the
growth phase consuming more of the grower feed as compared to the other feeds.
(Hamra, 2010).

Table 1 shows the estimated feed consumed and body weight of broiler chicken at
respective ages.
 9

Table 1: Body weight and feed consumption of broiler chickens.

Age (weeks) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Body weight (g) 105 270 510 800 1100 1410 1720 2040

Feed cons. g/day 12 38 59 79 90 103 115 125

Source: The Basics of chicken production in the tropics.

2.3.1 Mixing feed (Self-Formulating Feed)

Most chicken feed mixtures contain the following ingredients:

 Carbohydrates – mainly grains and grain by-products

 proteins – oilseed cakes and Soy beans, fish meal, meat meal
 Fats – palm kennel cake, palm oil, animal fats.
 minerals – sea shell, limestone powder, bone meal sometimes trace elements
are included in a premix
 vitamins – e.g. Lucerne meal and premixes; usually in small quantities

The mixing of these ingredients should be done very carefully because a chicken eats
only a small amount of food each day. But this small quantity (only a few tablespoons)
should contain all the ingredients the chicken needs, in correct proportion (Gietema,
2005).

2.4 Poultry Rearing and Housing systems

Poultry are efficient converters of feed to food. Food of poultry origin has high
nutritional values, with egg possessing almost a balance of all nutrients (Scanes et al.,
2004). Poultry is found across the globe. However, in developing countries, most of
the poultry population is congregated in rural areas (Guèye, 2002). According to
Sonaiya and Swan (2004), 80% of farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America keep
poultry either in free-range extensive system or in backyard extensive system. Many
authors have found that poultry keeping under traditional backyard systems in rural
households is an integral part of their livelihood (Branckaert and Guèye, 1999; Ahuja
et al., 2008). These poultry in the rural areas have diverse functions; providing
 10

valuable animal proteins, cash income, manure, help control pests (Clarke, 2004),
sacrifices for rituals, gifts and objects of exchange (Kondombo et al., 2003), and herald
time of the day.

Based on the level of biosecurity and the marketing system, FAO defined four poultry
production systems; industrial integrated system (high level of biosecurity and
products marketed commercially), commercial production system (moderate level of
biosecurity and products usually marketed commercially), commercial production
system (low to minimal biosecurity level and birds usually entering the live bird
market), and village or backyard production system (minimal biosecurity and birds
consumed locally) (Rushton et al, 2005; Aning, 2006). Over 80% of poultry
populations in developing countries are found in rural areas. (Guèye, 1998, Rushton
et al., 2005; Aning, 2006). Earlier, Sonaiya (1996, in Rushton et al., 2005) classified
village or family poultry as free-range or traditional village system, backyard or
subsistence system and semi-intensive system, based on the management type, egg
production per hen and the size of holdings.

2.5 Stocking density

Commercial poultry producers are often tempted to increase the number of breeding
stock per pen as a method to reduce housing, equipment, and labour cost per pen.
However, the literature indicates that high stocking densities can have a deleterious
effect on the economics and welfare of poultry production. Hall (2001) observed a
higher mortality, greater incidence of leg problems, and disturbed resting behaviour in
birds kept at high stocking densities. Chickens at high density grow more slowly,
produce fewer eggs, and have higher mortality (Van Kampen, 1981; Deaton, 1983).
Wells (1972) reported that feed consumption was significantly reduced among birds
reared at high stocking density. On the other hand, eggs produced by birds kept at high
stocking density were heavier than those produced by birds kept at low stocking
density (Leeson and Summers, 1984).

The stocking density of age, purpose or physiological status of the poultry bird and the
housing systems in question. Table 2 shows the stocking rate of broiler chickens under
different housing systems.
 11

Table 2: Stocking density of broiler birds.

Type of Bird Housing System Stocking Rate

Rearing Combination litter/slats 5-8 birds/m2
Fully slatted floor 7-10 birds/m2
Batteries 10-15 birds/m2
Litter system 15-20 birds/m2
Broilers Fully slatted floor 10-20 birds/m2
Broiler parent stock Combination litter/slats 4-5 birds/m2
Source: The Basics of chicken production in the tropics.

2.6 Water Consumption

Chickens confined to houses entirely depend on human care. They do not have the
possibility to find water for themselves. 1000 Broilers (8 weeks) consume 400 litres;
0.4 litre/bird. On average in the tropics an adult chicken needs about ½ litre of water
per day, depending on the temperature and the laying intensity. The ambient
temperature has an enormous influence on the water consumption of chickens. A
broiler kept at 45 °C needs in principle about 3x the amount of water consumed by a
broiler kept at 15 °C. However, water consumption not only depends on the ambient
temperature; also water temperature and NaCl content are important factors. Chicks,
growers and layers prefer water with a temperature of around 15 °C. If the water
temperature drops below 5 °C or exceeds 35 °C, the water consumption falls, resulting
in lower production (Van Eekeren et al, 2006)

2.7 Ventilation

Ventilation brings fresh air into a poultry house and removes heat, moisture, and gases.
Ventilation designs may be natural or mechanical. Most houses in alternative poultry
production depend on natural ventilation, because doorways are usually open to
provide outdoor access. There may also be additional air inlets, side curtains, or large
windows that can be opened to allow more ventilation in hot weather. Natural
ventilation makes use of the movement of air (warm air rises and cold air falls) and
wind currents. A roof at least six feet tall will allow sufficient height differential for
cool air to enter through low air inlets and warm air to escape through high vents.
There is less control in natural ventilation than mechanical (Bell et al 2002).
 12

2.8 Light
With broilers, light is only necessary to enable the birds to move about and see the
eating and drinking places. Light intensity should be as low as possible, to keep the
birds quiet which improves feed efficiency and to avoid feather pecking and
cannibalism. There are different lighting schedules for broilers, e.g. daylight with some
hours of artificial light during dark hours. For closed houses every lighting schedule is
possible, including intermittent lighting. Using red light in open-sided or windowed
houses makes no sense (Ray, 2012).

2.9 Health

With broilers, as opposed to birds raised for egg production, there is only a short
growing period too short for the birds to recover from most disease outbreaks before
marketing time. Therefore disease control procedures must be directed at disease
prevention rather than treatment. There is no generally accepted vaccination
programme. Some broiler producers do not vaccinate at all because they practise
complete isolation and sanitation. This is not recommended. Vaccinations against
Newcastle Disease ND and bronchitis IB are useful for broilers. These are mostly
carried out at the hatchery (FAO, 2013).
 13

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

For reason of convenience, to minimize cost and maximize time, an ex-post facto
(after-the-facts) retrospective research design was used characterised by observations,
interviews, questionnaire administration and comparative analyses. Data collected was
comparatively analysed comprising of both primary and secondary information. To
achieve objective, secondary data and already published information relevant to the
study were used, i.e. journals, annual reports and the dailies.

3.2 Study Variables

Data collected comprised of variables which were independent and of those which
were dependent

Dependent variables: Growth rate, Diseases Incidence, Factors affecting growth etc.

Independent Variables: Types of housing and Materials used, Equipments, Types of

Feed.

3.3 Study Area

This research work was carried out in study in the localities of Bambui.

Geographically, Bambui lies between latitudes 603’’ north 100 14’’ East. It is found at
about 1350m above sea level .It possesses fertile soils and a lot of subsistence farming
is in the area alongside livestock keeping. The average annual temperature is 21.5 0C
with March being the hottest month of the year. It possesses an average annual rainfall
of about 2125 mm. Rainfall is lowest in January (8mm) and greatest between August
and September.

Administratively, Bambui is the head quarter of Tubah sub-division in the Mezam

division of the North West region of Cameroon. It lies between Bambili and Nkwen
along N 11 national road linking Mezam to Ngokejunja, Bui and Donga-Mantung
Divisions. It comprises of 5 main quarters namely Manju, Matulah-ah, Mallam,
Fingeh, and Ala-akubeth. According to the 2015 census, the population of Bambui
amounts to about 50000 people.
 14

3.4 Study Population

The study population comprised individuals of all age groups involved in broiler
chicken production in the study area. The study was carried and questionnaires
administered in the following sub-quarters: Macha, Fonta, Njimbee, Fengah, Malam,
Nibah, Capuchin and Mbube.

Source: Bambui Fondom (Meidawiki.com)

Fig 1: Administrative Map of Bambui (Study Area)

 15

3.5 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

A sample size of sixty (60) respondents was adopted for this study. This sample was
drawn only on farmers engaged in the production of broiler chickens in the study area.
They were identified through door to door visits. Finally a total of sixty respondents
(farmers) were administered questionnaires.

3.6 Data Collection

Primary data was generated through the administration of pretested questionnaires

(appendix 1). This was made up of open-ended and close-ended questions. The
questions in the survey covered socio-economic details, broiler chicken population,
housing systems and materials used in housing, health, feeding and watering. The
questionnaire was pre-tested on 5 samples (respondents) and modification was
necessary to suite the specific objectives. Data collection techniques consisted of direct
questioning, face to face interaction and discussion as well as observation which will
serve as tools of verification of the authenticity of data collected.

The survey was carried out for a period of approximately two months commencing
April 2016.

3.7 Data analysis

Date was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2013 (Analysis ToolPak Add-in) in other to
calculate the frequency of distribution and also to examine correlations between
production parameters. At 95% level of significance ((α = 0.05), qualitative and
quantitative results was presented in charts and tables.
 16

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS

All of the sixty (60) questionnaires administered were returned giving a percentage of
100%.

4.1 Section A: Background Information

4.1.1 Gender, Age, Household size, Marital Status, Highest Level of Education
and Housing Arrangement of Respondents

Results on sex, age, and household size, marital status, highest level of education and
housing arrangement of respondents are shown in fig. 2.

Sex

Result shows that 48.3% of the respondents were males while 51.7 were females.

Age of respondents

Of all the respondents, 25% had an age between the range of 18 to 25 years, 26.7%
between 26 to 35 years, 30.0% between 36 to 45 years, 21.7% between 46 to 55 years,
8.3% between 56 to 65 years while the remaining 5% of respondents had ages greater
than 65 years.

Marital status

Out of the 60 respondents, 80% were married, 13.3% were single while 6.7% were
divorced.

Household size

Results on household size reveals that ,28.3% of the respondents had household sizes
between 1to 3 persons, 30% between 4 to 6 persons, 33.3% between 7-10 persons and
8.4% had household sizes of more than 10 persons.

Educational background

With regards to education, 6.7% had no educational background, 10% attended some
primary education while 20% completed primary education, 16.7% attended some
secondary while 20% completed secondary education and the remaining 26.7% had
educational levels higher than high school.
 17

Housing arrangements

With regards to the housing arrangement, 75% were owners, 15% family occupants,
8.3% rented while just 1.7 lived with friends and relatives.

90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
1 to 3
4 to 6
Female

7 to 10

Single

Rentage
Greater than 65 Yrs

Married
Male

18 to 25 Yrs
26 to 35 Yrs
36 to 45 Yrs
46 to 55 Yrs
56 to 65 Yrs

More than 10

Divorced

Owner
Family Occupant
None
Some Primary

Some Secondary

Living with Friends/Relatives

Completed Secondary
Completed Primary

High School and Above

Gender Age Household_Size Marital_Status Level_of_Education Housing_Arrangement

Fig 2: Age, gender, marital status, level of education, household size and housing
arrangement of respondents in Bambui village.

4.1.2 Occupation, Initial & Running Capital and Production Goal

Fig 3 shows the occupation, initial & running capital and production goals of the
respondents in Bambui village

Occupation of respondents

Results reveal that 16.7% of respondents were public servants, 8.3% were private
servants, 55% were self-employed in agriculture and 16.7% were self-employed in
private businesses while the other 3.3% were involved in other occupations.

Source of Capital

With regards to Source on initial capital, 11.7% obtained finance from family and
relatives, 71.1% obtained initial capital from their occupation while 16.7% took private
loans from Njangi groups. As for the source of running capital, 26.7 obtain running
 18

capital from farm revenue only, 53.3% obtain theirs from their occupation, while 20%
obtain running capital from both farm revenue and occupation.

Production Goals

With regards to the production goals, 53.35% kept broiler chicken for commercial
purposes, 41.7% rear broiler chicken both as source of income and home consumption
while only 5% keep broilers for the purpose of home consumption only.

80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Other
Private Servant
Public Servant

Commercial Production
Money Acquired from

Both

Both
Self-Employed in

Family and Friends

Self-Employed in Another

Household Consumption
Government Subvention

Private Loan (Njangi

Occupation
Revenue From Farm
Agriculture

Occupation

Groups)
Sector

Occupation Initial_Capital Running_Capital Production_Goal

Fig 3: Occupation, initial & running capital and production goals of the
respondents in Bambui village

4.2 Section B: Facilities, Housing, Feeding and Health

4.2.1 Utilities, Home Appliances and Transportation

The results on Utilities, Home Appliances and Transportation of respondents are

shown in fig. 4.

Energy and source of lighting

Results show that 88.3% of the respondents used ENEO as source of lighting, 1.7 used
generator, and 10% used bush lamps/torches. As for their source of energy for cooking,
11.7% used only gas, 1.7% used only kerosene, 53.3% used only fuel wood, 25% used
both gas and fuel wood while the remaining 8.3% used both gas kerosene and gas.

Home appliances
 19

With regards to home appliances 21.7% possessed all the mentioned in the
questionnaire (see appendix 1), 36.7% had all appliances except computer, 18.3% had
all appliances except computer and radio set, 10% had a television set and cell
phone(s), while 13.3% had only cell phones. Results show that 13.3% of the
respondents used personal cars as means of transport, 23.3% used personal motorcycle,
1.7% used personal bicycle, 25% used public taxi, 8% trekked while 3.3% used non-
conventional means such as trucks and wheelbarrows for the transportation of their
stock and feed.

90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
1 to 3
4 to 6
7 to 10
Female

Single
Divorced

Rentage
18 to 25 Yrs
26 to 35 Yrs
36 to 45 Yrs
46 to 55 Yrs
56 to 65 Yrs
Greater than 65 Yrs
Male

More than 10
Married

Owner
None

Family Occupant
Some Primary

Some Secondary

Living with Friends/Relatives

Completed Primary

Completed Secondary
High School and Above

Gender Age Household_Size Marital_Status Level_of_Education Housing_Arrangement

Fig 4: Utilities and appliances owned by respondents and the means of

transportation of their stock and feed.

4.2.2 Building Orientation, Housing type, Purpose of Building, Ventilation,

Rearing System, Number of Buildings and Pens/Building.

Fig. 5 shows the building orientation, housing type, purpose of building, ventilation,
rearing system, number of buildings, pens/building.

Building Orientation

Results show that 55% of the poultry houses by length were orientated North-South
while 45% faced the East-West direction.
 20

Housing Systems

With regards to the housing system, 31.7% of respondents reared their birds on deep
litter, 21.7% placed broiler chickens on slatted floors while 46.7% kept the birds in
cages found in the respondent’s house (kitchen).

Purpose of building

As for the purpose of the building, 25% of respondents used their poultry house for
brooding and rearing while 75% used their poultry houses for rearing only. The rearing
systems adopted by farmers in Bambui included intensive, extensive (free range) and
semi-intensive (backyard) contributing 95%, 1.7% and 3.3% respectively.

Number of Buildings

As concerns the number of buildings, 95% of respondents had only one broiler chicken
infrastructure, 1.7% had two while 3.3% had more than 2 buildings on farm. 80%
possessed buildings with only one compartment, 16.7% had buildings with 2 pens each
while only 3.3% had buildings with more than three pens.

100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Deep Litter

Intensive
Cage in House System

Brooding Only

Artificial

Semi-Intensive (Backyard)

More than 2

More than 2
Brooding and Rearing

One

One
Two

Two
North-South

East-West

Slatted Floor

Rearing Only

Extensive (Free Range)

Natural

Orientation House_Type Use_of_Building Ventilation Rearing_system #_of_Buildings Pens/Building

Fig 5: Building orientation, housing type, purpose of building, ventilation,

rearing system, number of buildings and pens/building.
 21

4.2.3 Roof, Floor and Wall Design and Material

The Type of roof, floor and wall design and material are shown in fig. 6

Types of roofs

Results show that 70% of the poultry houses had two-sloped roofs while 30% had one-
sloped roofs. 98.3% of theses roofs were made out of aluminium sheets with just 1.7%
been made out of thatch.

Types of walls

Results show that 43.3% of the walls of the poultry housings were made out of
plank/wood, 16.7% were made of bamboo and 23.3% were made of mud 15% were
constructed out of cement bricks while just 1.7% of the housing had walls made of
stone. With regards to wall design, 38.3% of housings had full walls with windows,
5% had half walls completed with wire mesh and 13.3% had half walls completed with
bamboos while the remaining 43.3% had full walls made entirely of plank/wood.

Floor materials

The floor materials comprised of mud, concrete and plank/wood (raised slatted floor)
contributing 18.3%, 18.3% and 63.3% respectively.

100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Mud

Mud
Thatch

Aluminium Sheets

Cement Bricks

Others (Stone)

Hall wall Completed

Plank/Wood (Raised
One Slope

Plank/Wood

bamboo

Complete Plank/Wood
Two Slope

Hall wall Completed with

Concrete (Cement)
Full wall with Windows

Bamboo

Slatted)
Wire Mesh

Wall

Roof_Design Roof_Material Wall_Material Wall_Design Floor_Material

Fig 6: Roof, floor and wall design and material

 22

4.2.4 Wall, Floor and Roof Heights

Results on wall, floor and roof heights are shown in fig 7

Height of roofs

As indicated by results 36.7% of the roofs measured less than one metre in height, 25%
measured between one to two meters, while 38.3% were greater than two metres in
height. With regards to the eaves of the poultry houses, 70% had lengths less than one
metre, while 30% had eave lengths between one and two metres.

Height of walls

Results reveal that 25% of the walls measured less than one metre, 38.3% measured
between one and two metres, while 36.7% measured greater than two metres.

Floor height above drainage level

As concerns floor height of the poultry units above drainage level, 61.7% of housings
had floor heights less than one metre while 38.3% were between one and two metres
high.

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0
Less than 1 to 2m Greater Less than 1 to 2m Less than 1 to 2m Greater Less than 1 to 2m
1m than 3m 1m 1m than 3m 1m
Roof_Height Eave_Length Wall_Height Floor_Height

Fig 7: Wall, floor and roof heights.

 23

4.2.5 Floor space, Broiler chicken Population Stocking Density

Broiler Chicken Population

Results indicate that out of the 60 farms visited, 63.3% of respondents had broiler
chicken population ranging from 5 to 50, 8.3% had 51 to 100, 3.3% had 100 to 200,
21.7% had 200 to 500 birds while 3.3% of respondents had broiler chicken population
of more than 500. The maximum number of birds kept was 650 while minimum
number was 5 and a mean of 102 ±10.09 birds per farmer. These results are represented
in table 3.

Table 3: Broiler chicken Population

Chicken 5 to 50 51 to 100 100 200 Greater

broiler to 200 to 500 than 500
population

Percentage of 63.3% 8.3% 3.3% 21.7% 3.3%

farms

Floor Space
Results on floor space are shown in table 4.

The minimum floor space of a broiler chicken housing unit recorded was 0.75 square
metres while the maximum was 200 square metres and a mean of 24.82 ±4.71 square
metres However poultry houses with a floor space of 3 square metres were most
frequent.

Table 4: Floor space and dimension of buildings

Min Mean Max S.D

2
Floor Space (m ) 0.75 24.82 200.00 ±4.71
Min Mean Max S.D
Dimension of Building 1.5 x 0.75 6x 20 x 10 ±2.45 x
(L x W) in metres 4.14 ±2.03
 24

Stocking density

From the above findings and calculations made, the average stocking density of broiler
chicken farms in Bambui was 4 birds per square metre of floor space i.e. 0.25 square
metre per bird.

4.2.6 Drinkers and Feeders

Results show that 60% of farms possessed between one and five drinkers, 25% had
five to ten drinkers while 15% had more than ten drinkers. In total 11.7% of the
drinkers were manually improvised, 85.3% were manual readymade and 3.3% were
automatic. Of these drinkers, 6.7% of these drinkers had capacities less than two litres,
58.3% had capacities between two and three litres, 25% had a capacity of five litres,
while 10% had capacities greater than 10 litres. With regards to feeders, they were
made either of planks or plastics amounting with a proportion of 73.3% and 26.7%
respectively. Of these feeders, 3.3% had a capacity of 2kg or L, 45% had a capacity
between 2 and 4kg or L, 43.3% had a capacity ranging from 4 to 6kg or L while 8.3%
had drinker capacities between 6 and 10kg or L. Looking at feeder categories 1.7% of
farms possessed chick feeders, 30% had grower feeders, 36.7% had adults feeders
while the remaining 31.7% had a mixture of all. These can be seen on fig 8.

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2 to 3L
Manual Readymade

1 to 5

5 to 10
Manual Improvised

Automatic

5L

2 to 4Kg/L

4 to 6Kg/L

6 to 10Kg/L
2Kg/L

Grower
Plank
Less than 2L

Greater than 10L

Plastics

Chick

Adult

A Mixture of These
Others (Greater than 5L)

Drinker_Type Drinker_Capacity #_of_DrinkersFeeder_Material Feeder_Capacity Feeder_Type

Fig 8: Drinkers and feeders

 25

4.2.7 Watering

Fig. 9 shows results on watering.

Results indicate that 98.3% of the respondents had access to water for their
consumption and for watering the stock, while only 1.7% had no access to water. The
source of water were bore holes, community tap water, streams and rain amounting to
5%, 78.3%, 15% and 1.7 % percent respectively. Of these sources 56.7% were shown
to be regular while 43.3% were irregular. With regards to watering interval, 25% of
farms watered their stock within an interval of less than 6hrs; 46.7% watered between
6 and 12hrs, 15% watered between 12 and 18hrs while 13.3% had a water replacement
time greater than 18hrs.

100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Yes

Bore Holes

Rain

12-18Hrs
Stream

Regular

Not Regular

Less than 6Hrs

Greater than 18Hrs

6 to 12Hrs
No

Community Tap Water

Access_to_Water Water_Source Regularity Watering_Interval

Fig 9: Water availability, sources and regularity

4.2.8 Feeding

Fig. 10 shows results on feeding.

Result show that 53.3% of farmers store their feed on the floor while the other
remaining 46.7% store theirs on suspended platforms. About 88.3% of these farmers
obtain their feed from commercial suppliers while 11.7% self-formulate their feed and
at the same time still relying on commercial feed. In relation to frequency of feeding,
28.3% said they provide feed once a day, 56.7% twice a day while 15% provided feed
to the stock adlib. With regards to feeding interval, 18.3% of respondents said that they
 26

replace feed within an interval less than 6hrs, 41.7% between 6 and 12hrs, 11.7%
between 12 and 18hrs while 28.3% had a feed replacement time greater than 18hrs. Of
these farmers 48.3% had maximum feed storage period of less than 1 week, 31.7%
between 1 and 3 weeks, 20% between 3 and weeks while 15% had maximum feed
durations of more than 6 weeks. With respect to daily consumption per bird per day at
6 to 8 weeks of age, 20% of farmers said to provide daily less than 100g per bird a day,
55% between 100 and 150g, 11.7% between 150 and 200g while 13.3% had daily
consumptions more than 200g at approximately 6 to 8 weeks of age. The mean quantity
of feed provided was found to be 138.56g per day with a minimum of 66g and
maximum of 500g and a standard deviation of ±11.78g per day.

90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Others

12-18Hrs

Greater than 6 Weeks

Less than 100g/Day

100 to 150g/Day

150 to 200g/Day
On Floor

Both Commercial & Self

Greater than 18Hrs

Less than 1 Week

1 to 3 Weeks

3 to 6 Weeks
Commercial Supplier Only

Once a Day

Adlib

Less than 6Hrs

6 to 12Hrs
Twice a Day

More than 200g/Day

On Suspended Platforms

Formulated

Storage_Place Feed_Source Feed_Rationing Feeding_Interval Maximum_Feed_Duration Daily_Consump/Bird

Fig 10: Feeding

4.2.9 Feed Composition and Proximate Content

Results obtained on feed composition and proximate content are shown in table 5.

It indicates that all respondents obtained feed from commercial sources with 7 of them
also providing self –formulated feeds. The minimum protein content found in
commercially supplied feed was apparently 22% for starter mash and 20% for grower
mash as shown on the sales information sheet. Self-formulated feeds compounded by
farmers composed mainly of; corn as energy source, fish meal and soy bean as protein
source, palm kennel as fats source, rice bran as fibre source and multivitamins as
additive.
 27

Table 5: table showing Feed Composition and Proximate Content

Commercial Supplier Number Min Protein Content (%)

(SPC) 60 Starter Mash 22
Grower Mash 20
Self – Formulated 7 Main Ingredients
Corn, Fish Meal, Palm kennel Cake, Soy
Bean, Rice Bran, Multivitamins

4.2.10 Weight of Broiler Chickens at Different Ages

Results on the weight of broiler chickens at different ages is shown on fig 11.

Results reveal that 81.7% of farmers used visual appraisal to estimate weight of birds
while 18.3% used scales (balance). 61.7% of farms had bird weight of less than 1kg at
3 weeks of age while 38.3% had weight of between 1 and 1.5kg. Fifteen (15%) of
farms had bird weight of less than 2.5kg at 6 weeks of age, 76.7% had weight of
between 2.5 and 3kg, while 8.3% had weight greater than 3kg at 6 weeks of age. In
these farms 48.3% of farms had bird weight between 3.5 and 4kg at 8 weeks of age
while 51.7% had weight greater than 4kg.

90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Scale (Balance)

Greater than 4Kg

Greater than 1.5Kg

Greater than 3Kg

Less than 1Kg
Visual Appraisal

1 to 1.5Kg

Less than 2.5Kg

2.5 to 3Kg

Less than 3.5Kg

3.5 to 4Kg
(Estimation)

Tool_of_Wt_Measurement Weight_at_3Wks Weight_at_6Wks Weight_at_8Wks

Fig 11: Weight of birds at specific ages

 28

4.2.11 Factors Affecting Growth

Farmers indicated that factors affecting growth of broiler chickens in Bambui locality
included diseases, climatic/environmental and managerial factors which occurred
singly or in pair. Fig 12 shows results on the factors affecting growth with their
corresponding proportions.

17%

10%

8% 60%

5%

Diseases Climatic/Environmental Managerial

Diseases and Climatic Diseases and Managerial

Fig 12: Factors affecting growth

4.2.12 Common Diseases affecting broiler chickens

The most common diseases encountered in broiler chickens production in Bambui

locality were those affecting the respiratory and or respiratory system including
diseases as a result of trauma. Figure 11 shows the different diseases and the proportion
of farms affected by it.

5% 9%
12%

10% 23%

13%
28%

All of These Digestive Respiratory

Trauma Respiratory and Digestive Respiratory and Trauma

Digestive and Trauma

Fig 13: Common diseases affecting broiler birds in Bambui village

 29

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATION

5.1 Discussion

The demographic data obtained in this study revealed that 51.7% of respondents where
female with majority of farmers having ages between the ages of 36 and 45 years. This
agrees with the results of other workers (Ekue et al., 2002 in Cameroon; Njue et al.,
2002 in Kenya; Gueye. 2000) which state that in many African countries, specific
ownership patterns were observed with women being the owners of poultry in most
cases. The age of farmers between 36 and 45 could be attributed to the cost involved
in poultry production since people younger than this age group may not have the
necessary capital to commence a poultry business (Slumber 2001).

Results show that most of the farmers involved in broiler chicken production were
literates attending high school and above. These together with the fact that most
farmers were owners of houses facilitated the establishment of poultry farms as it
greatly reduces the cost of investment in terms procurement of land which is a critical
production resource in rural Africa being a limiting factor in poultry production
systems (FAO, 2006)

Most respondents were self-employed in agriculture confirming the fact that livestock
production is practised alongside crop production in tropical Africa as reported by
Branckaert and Guèye, (1999) who stated that crop production is being integrated with
livestock rearing in the tropics to generate multipurpose products as the manure from
farm which could be used for fertilising the farm and the produce from farm used to
feed the birds.

More than 70% of farmers obtained initial source of capital from their main occupation
being crop production, since government subventions and or grants was difficult to
come by. Keeping the business running is essential for continuous productivity and
returns. This can only be achieved by an influx of running capital into the business.
Results reveal that 53.3% of respondents were said to have obtained running capital
from an external source mainly from their crop production. This could illustrate the
aspect of poor management and lack of proper records and cost benefit analysis. This
 30

together with the lack of start-up capital has contributed to the persistence of small
scale operations of broiler chicken in the tropics (Rhodes et al, 2008).

A majority kept chicken for commercial purpose. It was however difficult to carry out
any cost benefit analysis to assess the profitability of the enterprise as most of the
farmers do not keep records (Gueye, 2000).

As revealed by results, 83.3% had access to hydroelectric power and all farmers
possessed at least a cell phone. This simply denote that Bambui is fast becoming a
peri-urban locality. Most farmers used public taxi suggesting that a good road network
exists between market and farms which facilitates the import of new stock and feed
and the outlet of fattened chicken to the market.

According to Allen (2008), a poultry houses needs to be orientated East-West so as to

prevent the penetration of direct sunlight. But results indicated that more than 50% of
poultry houses where orientated North-South. This could be attributed to the fact that
most poultry housing were cages placed in already existing human homes which were
not built following the norms of poultry housing since it was not made originally for
this purpose.

The 95% of birds being reared under intensive system in Bambui is at variance with
the reports of Njue et al (2001), who stated that poultry in Africa is mostly reared in
extensive system of production. On the contrary, in Africa, Bambui is in the peri urban
area to Bamenda where there has been increased awareness of farmers on appropriate
management techniques. Another reason could be that there has been the selection of
adaptable fast growing broiler chicken strains which has been accompanied by
improved husbandry in terms of housing and feeding (Van Eekeren et al 2006)

A majority of the respondents reared broiler chickens in cages which were placed in
the owner’s house (kitchen) with 95% having only one infrastructure. As stated by
Rushton et al (1995), the initial capital for a poultry business is 60,000 FCFA per
square metre. This high initial investment in terms of infrastructure and acquisition of
stock could be a reason why farmers preferred cheap small carrying capacity cages.
The ownership of houses also served as a driving factor since birds could be reared in
the house in cages.
 31

As Shown by results, almost 100% of farmers had roofs made of aluminium with a
majority being two sloped which is not surprising as most of the buildings were
constructed for humans but just being adapted for poultry. Also aluminium sheets are
readily available and most preferred for construction of modern day houses. From
results, 43.3% of farmers had poultry holdings made out of plank or wood which are
readily available and affordable materials.

The mean value of 102 birds ±10.09 per farm in Bambui locality and a stocking density
of approximately 4 birds per square metre (one bird per 0.25 square metre) is less than
the recommendations stated by Giemesa (2005) who state that minimum floor for
broiler chickens being reared is 7 birds per square metre (see table 1). This could
possibly denote the aspect of understocking. On a positive note this could be a probable
reason for the fast growth rate of these broilers chickens since birds kept on too high
densities are usually unhealthy and have poor growth rates compared to those in low
densities (Hall 2001) due to easy disease spread and competition for feed. The weight
of birds at the age of birds at the age of 8 weeks is 4kg as revealed by analysis
corroborates this fact.

Results indicates that most farmers had only one to five drinkers with most being
readymade and having capacities of about 2 to 3 litres. Feeders were also found to have
capacities of 4 to 6kg. This simply reflects the scale of production as sophisticated
high capacity drinkers and would not be appropriate.

Most respondents had access to water which was regular thus reported a watering
interval between 6 and 12 hours which is short. It cannot be over emphasised that water
is important for the growth of broilers (Giemesa, 2005). The market weight of birds
also shows that birds were probably well watered.

A vast majority of farmers relied on commercial feed (SPC) for the feeding of their
broiler chickens. A possible reason could be that SPC has been supplying poultry feed
in the country for a long time now and has proven its worth. Another reason was due
to lack of technical knowhow or skills needed for compounding own feed

As shown by results, feeding was mostly been done twice a day and the interval
between feeding was 6 to 12 hours. There is evidence that there exist a correlation
 32

between feed and water intake by birds as birds tend to eat more when there is enough
water (Poultry site, 2014).

As shown by results, most farmers had a maximum feed storage duration of about one
week. This is simply a strategy to make sure that feed is not wasted (farmers; personal
communication).

The result of this study indicated that the average quantity of feed provided to broiler
chickens per day as was found to be between the range of 100 to 150g i.e. 138.56g
±11.78 with a minimum of 66g and maximum of 500g at 6 to 8 weeks of age.
According to FAO (2006), the daily feed intake of a broiler chicken bird of similar age
is 125g per day. This high feed intake could explain the high bird weight at the age of
8 weeks as feeding is directly proportional to growth rate. The increase in feed
consumption as a means of controlling body temperature (as the temperatures in
Bambui at the time of study was somewhat low) could be a possible explanation for
the high feed consumption. (Van Eekeren et al, 2006).

According to the sales leaflet that accompanies the bags of SPC feed (see appendix 2),
the protein content of starter feed was 22% while that of finisher feed was 20%. This
drop in protein content from starter to finisher is due to the fact that protein
requirements of broiler chickens decreases with age and size (Ray, 2012). Farmers
with self-formulated had as main ingredients; Corn, Fish Meal, Palm kennel Cake, Soy
Bean, Rice Bran, Multivitamins. Maize is one of the most cultivated crops in Bambui
locality and as such its availability could be the reason for its inclusion in home-made
broiler chicken feed. Fish meal and rice bran is readily available in neighbouring towns
such as Ndop and Bafut where a lot of rice hulling is carried out.

As revealed by results, most farmers had birds with weight of less than one kg and 2.5
to 3kg at 6 weeks at three weeks of age and six weeks respectively while bird had
weight of 4kg and above at the age of 8 weeks. According to FAO (2006), broiler
chickens have a weight of 2.04kg at the age of 8 weeks. But results show that at this
same age the weight was greater than 4kg. The simple fact that most farmers in Bambui
simply used visual appraisal to estimate the weight of birds at various ages and that
fact that more than 90% lacked records, the above value is subject to criticism. But at
 33

the same time, this could be true if we consider the large quantity of food consumed
by a bird per day.

According to results, the growth of broiler was mostly affected by diseases with trauma
and digestive disease being the most common. The aspect of traumatic diseases could
be explained by the fact that most farmers reared birds inside of cages. Birds in cages
are susceptible to leg problems (Van Eekeren et al 2006) which adversely reduces
growth rate of broiler chicken.
 34

5.2 Conclusion

Study established that broiler chicken production is an important activity in rural

Bambui.

Results indicated that poultry production in Bambui even though intensively managed
were run generally at a small scale with the stocking of broiler farms being
approximately 4 birds per square metre with most bird being reared in cages in already
existing buildings. All poultry farmers in Bambui used commercial feed with very few
using self-formulated feed in addition. Feed and water management were within
recommended norms as the final weight of birds at 8 weeks was generally above 4kg.

Though the performance indices as stated by the results of this report seems to be good,
these values are subject to criticism considering that farmers had no accurate records
concerning feed consumption and weight of birds at different ages.

Finally a majority of the poultry houses were not construction following the norms and
recommendations for building broiler poultry houses as most houses faced North-
South instead of East-West. These underlines the potential that exists to improve on
the conditions of birds and thus the productivity and profitability of the boiler business.

Conclusively we could say that the productivity of broiler chicken farms in Bambui is
affected by the socio-economic status of the farmer, the stocking density of poultry
house, housing/rearing system, feed/feeding technique, health and other factors not
studied due to limitation.
 35

5.3 Recommendation

Results obtained from this survey have spurred up the following important
recommendations which if paid attention may aid in the promotion of broiler chicken
production and as such increase the availability of animal protein in the market and
thus improve the socio-economic status and conditions of farmers in rural Bambui and
the nation at large.

It was found that most farmers did not keep records which greatly affected
management. As such farmers need to be enlightened and sensitized about the
importance of efficient production record keeping and accurate financial records which
is necessary to improve productivity levels and farm profits.

This study did not make findings neither on the feed conversion ratio of broiler
chickens using SPC feed (which was used by all farmers) nor the mortality rate of
broiler chicken farms. These two factors are necessary in order to carry out cost benefit
analysis which is required to determine the profitability of broiler chicken farms in
Bambui locality. So future research in this same field should take into consideration
the aspects of feed conversion ratio, mortality rates and cost benefit analysis.
 36

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