Parkhurst and Mountney define poultry as all the types of birds that have been tamed to breed, mature in confinement and their products have economic value (1). Poultry farming consists of quails, turkeys, ducks, guineas, chickens, and geese among others. The population has increased in the last few decades, and so has the demand for food (Mottet and Tempio 246). Poultry has become a major contribution to the population’s needs for food in terms of meat and eggs. According to Ayisi and Adu, poultry meat production around the world has grown at a higher rate compared to other meat production sectors (648). The growth has been attributed to the easy adaptability of poultry, great economic worth, and a high rate of productivity (Ayisi and Adu 648). Small-scale farmers should be encouraged to invest in poultry farming because of its many benefits. Mottet and Tempio conclude that poultry farming is significant for small-scale farmers and underprivileged countryside and city populations (245). However, there has been a public concern about the impact poultry farming on the surroundings and its contributions to climate change, which has led to the creation of public policies for the sector (Sonntag et al.). Protests from citizens have encouraged governments, policymakers, and development workers to turn to encourage traditional methods of rearing poultry. While commercialized production of poultry has improved the industry, it is vital that farmers are encouraged to resort to traditional methods of rearing to encourage sustainability and adhere to the concerns of citizens.
Poultry is now found in every part around the globe (Parkhurst and Mountney 5). They are known to survive in very high temperatures (Parkhurst and Mountney 5). The birds rely on foodstuffs that are locally available and mostly by-products of other crops that cannot be fed to humans (Hilmi et al. 8). Household products can be converted to foodstuffs for the birds, which mean the farmer does not have to spend more money on their feed Additionally, Parkhurst and Mountney find that poultry has the ability to search for food, especially if the birds are bred in a free-range environment (6). In the modern poultry production, the poultry revolution that has encouraged growth of commercialized poultry farming has overtaken free-range birds farming. According to Conroy et al., the traditional methods of raising poultry have been largely replaced by large-scale poultry production (1). A majority of the birds in the modern day are raised in cages. However, a majority of citizens do not agree with the current trends (Sonntag et al.) and prefer family-produced scavenging poultry (Conroy et al. 1). While industrially produced birds can be expensive to produce because of heavy investments, it is vital that the stakeholders in poultry production do not disregard the importance of small-scale bird production. Small-scale poultry farming provides families with required nutrients, food security, and a steady flow of income (Hilmil et al. 3). It is vital that stakeholders in the poultry industry encourage small-scale farming because of its endless advantages. Small-scale production of poultry enhances diet, income, security, and nutrition (Wong et al. 43).
Areas with poor resource distribution often experience food insecurity (Wong et al. 43). Poultry ensures food security and increases food diversity for a farm family. Wong et al. define food security as “the ability of people to obtain available food, which is more difficult for economically, physically, or socially disadvantaged population groups” (45). A large number of birds are raised in farm homes, which provide a simple yet convenient access to food such as meat and eggs (Guèye 132). Further, the increase in poultry production had led to reduced prices, which allows better circulation of advantages in regards of food availability and access to a bigger section of the populace (Guèye 132). Both rural and urban community greatly benefit from expansion in poultry farming as farmers and business people look for new markets. However, individuals in rural areas benefit more because the products are readily available. Further, farmers can use the poultry products to acquire food materials that they may not have. In some of the rural areas, populations utilize barter trade to sell their products, and acquire items that they do not have (Guèye 134). Improved food availability and security ensures that quality nutrition and health among populations.
Health and nutrition are important elements of every meal (Hilmil et al. 8). For poor resource areas, it is difficult for the population to have access to a nutritious diet all year long (Wong et al. 46). The requirement for high-quality nutrients and an increased level of income and standards of living has led to a growth in need for poultry yields (Parkhurst and Mountney 6). The nutritional value for poultry products in developing worlds has special importance. Poultry meat and eggs grow a population’s nutritional status, which improves the health of the family. The elderly, pregnant women, poor people, and children benefit from eating poultry meat and eggs (Hilmil et al. 10). Better nutrition encourages growth in children, mental development, as well as better performance in school (Hilmi et al. 10). Mottet and Tempio note that poultry meat helps in the reduction of mortality rates in newborns and children (252). Poultry meat has high quantities of protein, zinc, iron, and phosphorus (Ayisi and Adu 648). Eggs, on the other hand, are nutritious, easily digestible, and easy to prepare (Parkhurst and Mountney 11). Eggs contain vitamins, riboflavin, zinc, and iron (Wong et al. 46). Further, better nutrition reduces the possibility of illness and improves labor productivity among adults. No major cultural or religious taboo is associated with poultry meat in developing countries, which makes it a necessary and affordable high-quality protein for the population (Mottet and Tempio 253). Small-scale poultry farming requires less land, and fewer inputs to make available the necessary nutrients to the vulnerable populations (Wong et al. 46).
Small-scale poultry farming provides farmers with an opportunity to utilize resources efficiently and spread risks (Wong et al. 44). Poultry does not need excessive space and labor for production. There is a high demand for chicken meat, which means that small-scale farmers have an opportunity to earn extra income even though they do not have access to have pieces of land. The start-up capital required for poultry farming is commonly low and accessible to farmers who want to venture into poultry farming. Housing for the birds can be built using locally available resources by individuals with minimal skills. Parkhurst and Mountney note that low-income earners have the capability of investing in poultry farming because of the low initial costs of eggs, housing, and production equipment (6). An integrated system further allows small-scale farmers to use manure from chicken waster on the farm (Mottet and Tempio 251; Wong et al. 45). The manure is used to fertilize fish ponds and crops (Wong et al. 45). Eggshells can be fed to other farm animals such as pigs to provide them with nutrients (Hilmi et al. 8). Effective utilization of resources is vital because it saves materials as well as improves the rate of income earned by the farmers. For small-scale farmers, income is a significant element of their livelihood as many utilize poultry farming to make ends meet (Guèye 133)
According to Mottet and Tempio, approximately 900 million individuals live on less than $1.9 per day (251). A large number of these people rely on livestock for their source of revenue (Wong et al. 46). It is easy to integrate poultry into local farming systems even for individuals without many resources. Further, poultry is easily convertible to cash because their sale prices are not as high compared to other farm animals (Guèye 133). During times of crisis, the birds can be sold, which means they act as household insurance (Mottet and Tempio 248). Wong et al. concluded that poultry can be used to attain a household base as well as provide income when needed most (46). Further, during food insecurity, it is easy for families to sell poultry as compared to other animals such as pigs and cows to ensure food security for families (Hilmil et al. 8). Small-scale farmers around the world use poultry farming to improve their lifestyle and income base. As aforementioned, a majority of modern consumers prefer consuming eggs and poultry meat produced in the farm with free-cage birds. According to Wong et al. the meat has a suitable texture and taste and employs insignificant pharmaceuticals if any (47). For this reason, products from small-scale farmers fetch higher prices as compared to those produced by commercial bodies (Wong et al. 47). Most of the products produced in small scale do not require formal market structures, which ensure that farmers have quicker and easier access to their income. According to Wong et al., the sale of poultry products consists of a major income for female-headed households (47). Poultry farming provides a pathway for many women to have access to an income even in male-headed households (World Bank), which contributes to the achievement of gender equality around the world.
Approximately two-thirds of livestock farmers are projected to be women (Mottet and Tempio 252). Women play an important part in the animal production business, but do not have the required assets such as land and capital (Guèye 133; Hilmi et al. 11; World Bank). The contemporary society aims at achieving gender equality across the globe not only in developed economies. Women living in a male-headed household often use poultry as a method of earning an income, which diversifies the types of income sources for home (Wong et al. 47). For this reason, Mottet and Tempio suggest that it is vital to provide women with the proper resources that will help in achieving gender equality in agricultural populations (253). Women with the capability of poultry farming will build a business enterprise that will improve their livelihood as well as that of their family (Hilmi et al. 11; World Bank). Hilmi et al. further argues that women involvement in poultry farming will help her construct social networks with other women, who might provide other opportunities (11). Women should be included in small-scale poultry farming training to enhance a household’s income, nutrition, and food security (Conroy et al. 12; Guèye 133; Wong et al. 47). Apart from training, women, as well as other small-scale farmers, should be equipped with the necessary technology that will enable them to improve their production and better their income. Large commercial businesses employ technology in poultry production with the aim of maximizing profits and enhancing productivity.
There have many technological changes in poultry farming. The changes have been the main drivers for the poultry industry around the globe (Mottet and Tempio 246). The technology made it possible to handle large numbers of birds at once (Parkhurst and Mountney 6). Large-scale poultry farming has moved from free-ranging to confined family, which has provided the farmers with the ability to handle an increased number of birds. Further, technology has allowed farmers to improve their total production per unit, reduce mortality rates and diseases, and produce more birds annually (Mottet and Tempio 246; Narrod et al. 4). The changes have significantly reduced the capital for labor required, increased the number of birds per farmer as well as improved productivity. However, increased use of technology in poultry production for commercial organizations has threatened the small-scale production of poultry. Additionally, the increase in the employment of technology within the poultry farming sector has led to issues of sustainability and increased concerns for caged birds. Citizens are more worried that birds in cages undergo inhumane treatment, and are not right for human consumption. Some of the poultry meat consumers conclude that birds are injected with antibiotics, which makes them unsuitable for human consumption (Sonntag et al.).
Sonntag et al. in their study found that a majority of the consumers are afraid of becoming resistant to antibiotics because of use of drugs in chicken meat. Apart from antibiotics, a majority of commercial poultry farmers have been accused of using medicines, which poses a danger to the human wellness (Sonntag et al.). The use of medicine could be greatly reduced if the birds were not raised in captivity. Further, raising birds in captivity has been associated with unnatural behaviors and high levels of stress (Sonntag et al.). The poor living conditions such as overpopulation of the birds and husbandry characteristics, slaughter, and transportation have been discussed repeatedly as concerns for poultry farming (Sonntag et al.). These are valid concerns that citizens, stakeholders, and poultry farmers should consider. For this reason, it is vital that individuals involved in poultry farming are well-educated on the advantages of sustainable practices.
There is a need for action for every stakeholder in the poultry farming system to encourage sustainability. In the European Union, for example, there are concerns from citizens because of the conditions of raising poultry (Sonntag et al.). As mentioned above, a majority of the birds today are raised in cages which have led to the implementation of legislation that allows poultry to be produced cage-free. Freedom of movement for birds that are laying eggs is an important element in ensuring sustainability (Berg 38). Apart from sustainable practices, it is vital that small-scale farmers have the channels that provide market information about their products (Guèye 133; Hilmi et al. 60). Policy makers and stakeholders should strive to provide the accurate and reliable information to the farmers to give them opportunities to make better profits as well as have the ability to compete with large commercial poultry farmers (Narrod et al. 26). While there are concerns about the type of dangers that poultry face in free-range (Berg) such as predators (Conroy et al. 9) and illnesses, the outcome results are better and healthier.
There are many ways to address the concerns of the citizens and other stakeholders in poultry farming. The ban on battery cages (Sonntag et al.) for example, is a good method that ensures that birds are raised in humane conditions. Sonntag et al. suggest the development of innovative housing systems that will enable the stakeholders in the poultry industry to meet the needs and requirements of the citizens and improve sustainability in the industry. Such systems will increase citizens’ trust as well as encourage transparency in poultry farming (Narrod et al. 26). There has been an increase in demand for traditionally produced poultry by urban dwellers (Conroy et al. 1). Individuals who live in the cities are more aware of what they consume. Therefore, they aim at consuming birds that have been raised in a free-range, and not in captivity. The shift in attitude could mean that small-scale farmers have more market access as compared to large-scale farmers as long as they have access to the right market information (Conroy et al. 2).
However, having access to markets is not enough. Stakeholders need to provide infrastructure that will help small scale farmers improve their productivity. Policymakers and governments should ensure that family farmers have access to the right resources that will help them fight diseases in poultry as well as enhance their competition with larger poultry productions (Ayisi and Adu 652). Mottet and Tempio note that livestock diseases lead to high levels of economic losses every year for farmers (252). Provision of training and resources will enhance the production of small-scale farmers. Family farmers are an important part of the economy, and thus it is vital that policies are put into place to ensure that the competition does not kill their businesses. Further, training and availability of resources will ensure that the farmers have the capability of mitigating risks such as diseases and predators that may threaten their productivity.
There are countless advantages associated with family poultry farming. Small-scale livestock farming provides individuals with an income source, food security, and improves their health and nutrition (Guèye 133). However, there has been an increase in the commercialization of poultry farming around the world. The process has led to the production of more caged birds and the use of antibiotics on the birds to quicken their growth. These changes have caused concerns among some of the stakeholders in bird farming as well as citizens. The changes have further led to an increased demand for traditionally produced poultry products. The demand creates a market for small-scale farmers and improves the prices that farmers sell their products. However, production of poultry products for commercial purposes for small farmers can be challenging due to lack of knowledge and resources. Effective information delivery about the needs of the consumer is one way that stakeholders can utilize to ensure that farmers meet the needs of the current market (Guèye 133). Further, provision of information and the necessary resources to small-scale farmers will improve their chances of competing with commercial poultry production.
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