Poultry farmers in Uganda have been encouraged to adopt modern brooding methods to minimize chick mortality and reduce financial losses. Research indicates that at least five per cent of chicks die during the brooding phase, causing significant setbacks for farmers. However, Kande Poultry Farm in Kikondo village, near Semuto Town Council in Nakaseke District, has significantly reduced these losses to between 0% and 1.5% after installing a modern cage system.
Kande Poultry Farm sits on a 21-acre piece of land and began operations in 2015 with 2,000 chicks. Since then, the farm has grown to accommodate 110,000 chickens under a state-of-the-art cage system. According to Rosemary Namayanja Nsereko, the farm’s director, one of the leading causes of chick mortality is the use of outdated brooding methods. Many farmers still rely on traditional charcoal stoves, which cause chicks to overcrowd and die while struggling for heat.
Namayanja highlighted that poor management practices, such as overcrowding during feeding and poor hygiene in brooders, also contribute to high mortality rates. To address these issues, Kande Poultry Farm installed automated brooders with a capacity to accommodate 40,000 birds each. These brooders provide controlled heating and improved sanitation, creating a healthier environment for the chicks.
Namayanja advised poultry farmers to focus on good breeding practices, proper nutrition, and adequate care for their chickens if they want to succeed in the poultry business. She noted that by adopting modern practices, Kande Poultry Farm has obtained international food safety certification, which has enabled them to supply eggs to United Nations agencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Namayanja, who also serves as the Deputy Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), shared these insights on Sunday while hosting members of the Seventh Day Adventists Church Billionaire Celestial Club. The club visited the farm on a benchmarking tour to learn about modern poultry farming techniques.
Emmanuel Obwori, the Operational Manager of Kande Poultry Farm, pointed out that many farmers suffer losses because of preventable diseases caused by inadequate vaccination and poor brooding practices. He recommended that farmers seek guidance from experienced poultry farmers and focus on raising chicks using modern techniques to reduce mortality rates.
James Kayita, the Chairperson of the Seventh Day Adventists Billionaire Celestial Club, emphasized that many farmers continue to experience losses due to a lack of knowledge about modern brooding practices. Kayita observed that the successful practices at Kande Poultry Farm prove that poultry farming can be a profitable corporate business if farmers adopt the right methods.
Uganda’s poultry industry has experienced significant growth over the years. In 2021, the country’s chicken population reached 57.8 million, representing a 54.5% increase from 37.4 million chickens reported in 2008. Indigenous chickens accounted for 69.9% of the total population, while exotic and cross-breed chickens represented 30.1%. This growth highlights the potential for increased profitability if modern farming practices are widely embraced.
Through modern brooding techniques, improved management, and proper vaccination, Ugandan poultry farmers have the opportunity to reduce chick mortality and boost their overall productivity and profits.
