Feeds and feeding dynamics among chicken farmers and feed millers: insights into practices, quality, and challenges in selected districts of Uganda

Adequate chicken feed in terms of quantity and quality are foundations of successful chicken production. A cross sectional survey was conducted in 10 districts of Uganda, with a total of 320 poultry farmers and 59 feed millers participating in this study. Data on socio demographic characteristics, feedstuffs used in chicken feed production, seasonal availability of feedstuffs, mixing of feed stuffs, challenges faced in chicken production and perception of chicken producers and feed millers on feeds quality were analyzed. Results revealed that 54.7% of the farmer respondents were females, while 62.7% of the feed miller respondents were males. Broilers followed by layers and kuroiler were the major types of chickens reared by both groups of respondents. White maize and maize bran were the major energy sources while fishmeal was the main protein feedstuff in chicken diets. About 59.7% of the chicken producers used commercial feeds while 71.4% of the feed millers used self-compounded feeds. Gender significantly influenced methods used to check quality, particularly asking fellow farmers (X2 = 4.01, P < 0.0045). Education played a significant role in shaping farmers’ understanding of high quality feed. Farmers with higher levels of education primarily defined good feed quality by the absence of foul smell (X2 = 9.72, P < 0.017). Price fluctuation and low-quality feeds and feed ingredients were identified as their major challenges. Organoleptic tests and farmer-to-farmer information sharing were the major methods used to check the quality of feeds. Quality chicken feed meant different things to chicken producers and feed millers. Both chicken producers and feed millers were aware of feed and feed ingredient adulteration.