Effect of vegetation density on survival of South African free-ranging indigenous chicken broods
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Effect of vegetation density on survival of South African free-ranging indigenous chicken broods N. Chikumba 1,2 & M. Chimonyo 2 Received: 18 March 2020 / Accepted: 15 October 2020 # Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract The survival of juveniles from hatching until recruitment is a critical determinant of indigenous chicken population growth under extensive free-range production systems. A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the impact of vegetation cover on survival of indigenous chicken broods in Msinga, South Africa. Survival records of 281 chicks hatched in sparsely vegetated (SV) communal lands and 233 hatched chicks in densely vegetated (DV) resettlement areas were collected from hatch until 12 weeks of age. Data on probable cause of death of individual chicks was collected using a structured checklist. Kaplan-Meir survival distributions and log rank tests were used to estimate the survival functions of broods between vegetation cover types. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between management factors and mortality risk in SV and DV. Chick survival from hatching to 12 weeks was higher in SV (55 ± 3.14%) than DV (41 ± 4.19%) (P < 0.05). Mean chick survival time did not differ between SV (56 ± 3.30 days) and DV (49 ± 3.23 days) (P > 0.05). Aerial predators were the major cause of chick mortality (over 60%) followed by terrestrial predators (30%) in both vegetation cover types. The odds of mortality were higher in DV compared to SV (P < 0.05). It was concluded that increasing vegetation cover decreases survival of scavenging chicks between hatching and end of brooding at 12 weeks of age, and therefore brood management actions should ensure adequate protection of free-ranging chicken broods in densely vegetated rearing habitats. Keywords Free-range chickens . Vegetation density . Chick survival . Predators . Management factors . Semi-arid areas
Abbreviations SV Sparse vegetation DV Dense vegetation
Introduction Indigenous chickens, Gallus domesticus, are the predominant genotypes kept by resource-limited households (Bettridge et al. 2018). Indigenous chickens are chickens that have adapted to the local environment and conditions over a long period of time (Besbes 2009). They are commonly found under extensive, small-scale village and free-range production * M. Chimonyo [email protected] 1
Present address: Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, P.O. Box 35, Marondera, Zimbabwe
2
Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
systems (FAO 2014). These chickens are sometimes referred to as scavenging, traditional, local or native chickens (Moreki et al. 2010). Indigenous chickens are reared in many parts of the world irrespective of the climate, traditions, life standard or religious affiliation (Tadelle et al. 2003). Recognition of their importance as assets and a means of improving livelihoods of resource limited farmers is increasing amid growing calls to
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