Village egg and fowl meat production in Africa

Throughout the continent of Africa the keeping of indigenous fowl by village communities has been practised for many generations. These birds, which are generally kept on a free range system, currently make up more than 80% of the continent's poultry flock. Although requiring minimal resource input and considered secondary to other agricultural activities by farmers, this type of production has an important role in supplying local populations with additional income and high quality protein. However, high mortality, especially in growers, constitutes the greatest constraint on development. Indigenous fowl are not a particular variety but are the result of erratic crosses between local and imported stocks. Growth and egg production of the indigenous birds are low and their limits of performance are rapidly reached when feeding and management are improved. However, the meat and eggs are much preferred by the consumers and fetch premium prices compared with commercial birds. The genetic potential of the indigenous stocks could be improved through crossing with selected but still robust varieties.