An analysis of the impact of Newcastle Disease vaccination in Uganda has demonstrated substantial effect on chicken flock production. Whilst several studies have demonstrated the clear beneficial impact that vaccinating against Newcastle Disease (ND) can have on reducing the frequency and severity of ND outbreaks in poultry, this new study goes one step further and analysed the additional benefits in terms of improved production that result from vaccination. The study which was recently published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine (March 2020), answers two key questions:
Measuring chicken flock production by the sales, consumption and gifting of chickens and eggs:
Question 1: Does ND vaccination have a substantial effect on chicken flock production?
Answer: ND vaccination was identified as a significant contributor to flock productivity with an increase of 57% in chicken production and 80% in egg production after other management practices that affect flock productivity had been considered. This is generally greater than increases in off-take observed elsewhere in Africa.
Question 2: Can poultry husbandry improvements (husbandry improvements considered included supplementary feeding, housing and parasite control) also lead to a substantial improvement in flock production?
Answer: The ownership of a poultry house had a significant effect of a 37% increase on numbers of birds produced. Deworming and supplementary feeding did not affect the numbers of birds or eggs produced, but the weight of the birds was not considered.
This is consistent with results from other studies and enforces the need for vaccination against ND and key diseases for improving the livelihoods of rural communities.
Download the publication: An analysis of the impact of Newcastle disease vaccination and husbandry practice on smallholder chicken productivity in Uganda