Higher weight gain by Kuroiler chickens than indigenous chickens raised under scavenging conditions by rural households in Uganda

A field trial was conducted in which Kuroiler chickens (KC) and indigenous chickens (IC) were vaccinated against common poultry diseases and held in confinement for 11 weeks and then raised simultaneously by village households in Uganda under identical scavenging conditions. The trial villages were located in five districts in geographically diverse parts of the country. The KC thrived in all trial locations of the country with a 7-month survival rate of 85% compared 83% for IC (p>0.05). At intervals between 11 and 43 weeks of age, total body weights were recorded on 343 male KC, 169 male IC, 285 female KC and 339 female IC. The results showed that KC gained body weight more rapidly and to a higher level than IC (P <0.05). At 25 weeks of age, the average body weight of male KC was 2.6 Kg compared to 1.6 Kg for IC; at 43 weeks, the respective body weights were 3.0 Kg and 2.2 Kg. Significantly (P <0.05) faster weight gain by KC compared to that by IC under scavenging conditions in rural settings indicates that returns from village poultry in Uganda may be improved by the introduction of KC.