Abstract :
A survey was conducted for 8 weeks to ascertain the populations of household keepers and local fowls in some rural areas of Anambra State, Nigeria. Six hundred households were reached and assessed. The populations of local birds were 911, 1073, 1278 and 1709 for chicks, growers, cocks and hens, respectively. The areas were divided into 4 agricultural zones. In zone A, 78% of the householders keeping the birds were females and 22% were males. The flock per household was 11. The cock weighed more than the hen (P < 0.05) and among the cocks and hens there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the body weights. The shank length differed (P < 0.05) among the flocks (chick, cock and hen). In terms of management practice, 84.60% provided shelter and 86.60% did not provide medical care for the birds while 64% did not provide water and 80.44% did not supplement feed instead the birds roam in order to feed. On daily basis, 18.60% clean pens while 81.40% did that once a week. Diseases encountered included New Castle and coccidiosis as reported by the respondents. In zone B, population of female keepers was higher than that of the males. The flock density per household was low. They engaged in farming and trading more than other endeavors. The study showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the body weight of the birds among the flock. Shank lengths of the hens differed significantly (P < 0.05). It was observed that 77.36% provided shelter while 74.83% and 66. 45% of the keepers did not provide feed and water, respectively, for the birds.In zone C, population of male keepers (53.33%) was higher than that of females while 50% had formal education. Flock per household was 7. The shank lengths of the hens were significantly different (P < 0.05). In this area, mostly all the respondents did not provide feed and water to their birds. Sanitation was very poor. In zone D, most of the practitioners were traders who also reared local chickens. There were more of male keepers than female ones. The study recorded 10 – 12 birds per household. The shank lengths of the growers differed significantly (P < 0.05). Cleaning of pens occurred daily but was poorly done and no provision of feed (82.67%) and water (67.42%). New Castle disease was encountered seldomly .The population of local fowls was low and management was very poor and need improvement. Education of the keepers on modern ways of managing the birds should be extended to the local dwellers that keep the bulk of this flock.
