Feed quality perceptions among smallholder poultry farmers in Mukono district.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions of feed quality among smallholder poultry farmers and influence on feeding practices in Mukono district. The specific objectives were; i) to characterize poultry farmers in Mukono District ii) to establish the sources of feed for poultry farmers in Mukono district iii) to determine feed quality perceptions among poultry farmers and iv) to establish the major challenges faced by smallholder farmers in accessing quality feeds. The study applied a cross-sectional research design using a quantitative approach to collect data from a sample size of 79 smallholder poultry farmers in Mukono district. Findings revealed that majority of the smallholder poultry farmers in Mukono district were predominantly female (54.5%), married (74.0%) and mainly kept broilers (81.8%), while 88.3% belonged to farmer groups or cooperatives. Respondents had a mean age of 45.8 years and an average of 10.4 years of poultry farming experience, indicating a relatively experienced farming population. The findings revealed that 74 percent of poultry farmers obtained their primary feeds through mixing their own feeds by purchasing individual ingredients the rest purchased ready-made feeds from commercial feed stores. Poultry farmers ranked smell as the most important aspect of feed quality, followed by brand reputation, texture, absence of molds. Nutritional content was ranked least important. The major challenges faced by smallholder poultry farmers in Mukono District in accessing quality feeds were lack of knowledge on proper feeds mixing and lack of money to purchase quality feeds. Farmers also reported inconsistent availability of feeds in shops and the presence of poor-quality or adulterated feeds in the market as important constraints. The study recommends that agricultural stakeholders provide regular farmer training on feed formulation, strengthen feed quality regulation, and support affordable access to quality poultry feeds through extension services and participate in farmer savings groups.