A research led by Dr. Alice Nabatanzi, the Principal Investigator of the project titled: "Development Of Value-Added Phytogenic Chicken Feeds", discovered that the widespread use of antibiotics in chicken feeds has promoted development of drug-resistant bacteria that have been passed from chicken to humans. This increased the rate of disease outbreaks in chicken causing losses to poultry farmers and income insecurity. In search for a solution, Dr. Alice Nabatanzi together with her team identified 132 poultry farmers in Najjembe sub-county, Buikwe district who were using chicken treating plants.

The poultry farmers identified 50 chicken treating plant species of which 3 species were prioritized for Laboratory analyses. The three priority species were Capsicum frutescens, Nicotiana tabacum and Cannabis sativa. The priority species were subjected to analyses (proximate, mineral, vitamin, antioxidant, heavy metal, antinutrient). Feeding tables were then developed from which a phytogenic chicken feed was formulated. The formulation for layers deferred from that of broilers and also differed according to the age of the chicken. The developed phytogenic chicken feed (Phyto-Nutra Chicken feed) will improve the poultry value chain, enhance food safety, food security and a healthy population while boosting farmers’ incomes. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Adoption of the developed phytogenic feed by the poultry farmers since the plant species used to formulate it are available, safe, affordable, and effective

2. Conservation of chicken treating plants

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund for providing the funds to carry out this project.

The Najjembe Sub-County Community, Buikwe district for providing the indigenous knowledge which was the basis for the formulation of the Phytogenic Chicken Feed.

Laboratory Technicians