Poultry and Non-ruminants

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Poultry Progress at the Kizimbani Experimental Station, 1932-1935
(1936) Wilson, F. B.; Zanzibar
A journey taken through any part of Zanzibar will quickly indicate to an observant person that the keeping of poultry is almost universal among the native population. It will be equally evident that the type of poultry is generally entirely mongrel small and poor. Ill housed and little cared for. Therefore it is not surprising that the eggs for sale in the markets are very small dirty and of doubtful freshness whilst the carcasses of these native birds are small and the flesh tough. Prices of poultry and eggs are very low and little or no business is clone with the large number of ships which are constantly passing through the Port of Zanzibar. No improvements in breeding feeding or housing have been carried out in the past. Various town residents have done well with small units of European fowls but up to the present there has been no serious organized attempt to improve the, poultry of Zanzibar.
A Description of a Highly Fatal Virus Disease of Poultry New to East Africa
(1937) Hudson, J. R.; Veterinary Research laboratory, Kabete, Kenya Colony
In the Annual Report of the Director of Agriculture of Kenya for 1935 brief reference to an outbreak of a disease of fowls, clinically and pathologically resembling Newcastle disease, was made. The disease was diagnosed in November of that year in birds forwarded to Kabete from Mombasa. The European owner of the fowls reported that in the preceding twelve months there had been an extensive outbreak of the disease on Mombasa Island, and that very large numbers of birds had died.
The Portable Poultry Unit on the Arable Farm
(1937) Corbett, E.; Menengai, Kenya Colony
The financial success of the portable poultry unit is considered to be definitely established, and it is a system that can be recommended with confidence for the mixed farm. The only drawbacks are its somewhat forcing nature and the fact that it is confined to birds of a light breed, whose stamina is frequently not very good. It is to be hoped that the Rhode Island-Leghorn crossbreds possessing a considerably greater stamina than the purebreds will respond equally well to the system.
Some Aspects of the Poultry Industry in Kenya
(1937) Ball, R.S.; Department of Agriculture, Kenya Colony
The low prices for grain crops that have prevailed during the past few years have emphasized the desirability of converting them in part into other products before they leave the farm. For this reason, a large number of farmers turned to poultry as a sideline to their other activities. Although prices of produce have now risen appreciably, yet the industry has become soundly established; and, in spite of higher food costs, is likely to remain profitable, but only as a sideline, when the fullest utilization of surplus produce can be made. As a proposition by itself, where all foods would have to be purchased and transported, there is probably not very much scope in Kenya, for, apart from the difficulties that arise where large numbers are handled, the outlet for poultry products is not at the present time sufficiently great to justify a large expansion. The possibilities of export of eggs have, however, been explored, and results to date are encouraging, particularly in the South African market at certain seasons of the year.
An Ingenious Native Chicken House, Avocado Culture and Late Survival of Digging Stick in Kenya
(1939/1940) Glegg, C.G.; Shinyanga, Tanganyika Territory
AAn interesting native chicken house, as illustrated, was seen in the Nindo Chiefdom of Shinyanga District. Its construction is extremely simple yet effective. It is made with a framework of bush withies which are thatched over with grass. A circle of pliable withies, four feet in diameter, is pegged in position on the ground and a cone-shaped framework is then built on to it, the apex being some five feet from the base. Lengths of withies are tied across the bottom of the framework with gaps between each to allow the droppings from the birds to fall through to the ground below. The framework is then thatched in the local way and a small doorway is left. The door consists of plaited withies, and is held in position by a string loop and stick. The completed house is hung from bush timbers, the base being approximately five feet from the ground, and the birds enter and leave the house by a simple ladder of sticks. In planting avocado, one of the most perplexing problems is the choice of the right varieties, and this is due to a considerable variation in the productiveness of avocado trees. Some trees profitably tear fruits every year; others only in alternate years; others do not bear any fruit at all. Many varieties fail to bear fruits satisfactorily owing to lack of pollination brought about by the failure of the flowers to open at the proper time or to the incompatibility of the pollen itself. Generally, fruit-bearing in avocado will be more successful if compatible varieties are interplanted and if their flowers open at such time as wil1 permit cross-pollination, or if self-compatible varieties are planted, the opening periodsof flowers overlap. The Wakamba were originally mainly a pastoral folk with some leanings towards agriculture. Until quite recently new land to be brought under cultivation was cleared by burning, and the soft rooty earth was easily turned over with large wooden digging-sticks called nthii. These sticks were 5 to 6 ft. long and about 2-!- to 3 inches in diameter, with a pointed flattened end for digging. The blade was driven into the ground and the earth levered over by the long shaft, using both hands. The poles used for making the sticks were of Acacia mellifera (muthiia) or Olea chrysophylla(muthata). For cultivating land already broken in, a smaller digging-stick was used. Such sticks (mio) were 3 to 4 ft. long with a flattened end like the others. They were not nearly so heavy and could be wielded more quickly, being intended for light land; they were gripped in one hand only. An adaptation of the smaller stick is in common use to-day for planting seed and for inter-crop cultivation, but is shod with an iron spear-head.
The Poultry Farmers' Losses
(1939/1940) French, M. H.; Veterinary Laboratory, Mpwapwa, Tanganyika Territory
The financial losses incurred by poultry farmers are normally much higher than is generally realized, and at intervals may reach such proportions that not only do running expenses show a deficit, but large inroads are made into working capital through the decimation of flocks by disease. Even on farms that show a profit, such losses are often considered unavoidable and incidental to the business of breeding, hatching, rearing,and maintaining flocks of high egg-laying strains. I hope in this article to focus the attention of East African poultry keepers on some of their main sources of loss, and, by doing so, to indicate where a greater concentration of effort is most likely to be repaid.
Some Observations on Poultry
(1940) French M. H.
Poultry husbandry has been included in the scheme of work at Mpwapwa for a number of years, and the underlying principle has been the improvement of fowls for all sections of the community. The results discussed below are taken from the work designed to help European farmers. Pure breeds of Rhode Island, White Leghorn, Light Sussex, and Silver and Golden Cambars are maintained, but these observations are confined to the first two breeds, because insufficient data have been collected for the other types.
Contributions to the Ornithology of the East African Islands.
(1940) Amani; Moreau, R.E.
The sea‐bird breeding stations in East African waters are enumerated. Between the Lamu archipelago, where many species nest, and the Rovuma the most important station is Latham Island with its Booby colony (S. dactylatra melanops), which existed at least 115 years ago. Less than half a dozen terneries (mainly S. dougallii and S. fuscata) are known, and no gullery. Reef‐Herons, the only sea‐birds to breed on bush‐covered islets or in mangroves, are more widespread than the other species. The Terns lay about July, the Reef‐Herons a month earlier, and the Gannets about four months later in most years. Early records of birds in Zanzibar and Pemba are discussed specifically. The recent extinction of Francolins in Zanzibar is taken as proved. The land‐birds of Mafia and the neighbouring islets are listed and discussed, mainly on the basis of a recent collection. The avifauna is purely East African, devoid of endemics, and, considering the size of Mafia and its proximity to the mainland, astonishingly depauperate in some respects. Thirteen families (including Psittacidæ, Coliidæ, Picidæ, Alaudidæ, Timaliidæ, and Zosteropidæ) and several other coastal species are not represented. The phenology is discussed.
Rearing of Chickens on a Wire-Netting Floor
(1940/1941) Ernst, G.
Towards the end of the year 1936 there was a high mortality among chickens at the School Farm, Peradeniya. Losses from coccidiosis, roundworm infestation, and gapes were mainly responsible for the high death-rate, which in some cases reached 50 percent of the hatch
Principles Governing the Construction of Poultry Houses and Runs
(1941) French, M. H.
Proper housing enables control to be kept on the flock, tends to encourage egg production, and, because it reduces the food which has to be utilized in maintaining body temperatures during storms and cold spells, helps to reduce the costs of production. The success of a poultry house depends primarily upon the comfort it affords to the birds. Briefly, it can be said that a good type of house will furnish its occupants with permanent protection from dampness, draughts, wind, extremes of temperature, dirt, vermin, and other causes of discomfort and disease, as well as from their larger enemies. At the same time it allows the birds to get adequate air and heat sunlight
Dried Blood Plasma for Poultry
(1942) Department of Agriculture, Zanzibar
The provision of an inexpensive form of animal protein in the ration of laying fowl’s is frequently a matter of some difficulty, consequently description of the method employed in Zanzibar of preparing a protein rich ingredient for inclusion in the mash of laying hens may be of general interest.
The Nesting of African Birds in Association with other Living Things
(1942) Amani; Moreau, R.E.
A MASS of evidence on the nesting associations of birds with social insects was brought together from all parts of the world and discussed by Myers (1929, 1935). His records were re-analyzed, with the addition of some for Africa, by Moreau (1936), since when a quantity of other African data, to be cited below, has come to light. It seems worth while to re-open the discussion, partly in the hope that this very interesting feature of bird biology may receive more critical attention in the field in future and partly to take the opportunity of adducing for comparison what is known of the nesting of African birds in association with animals of other classes besides insects. The records in. this paper are, therefore, arranged in four groups of associations
Further Observations on Poultry
(1942) French, M. H.
The following observations continue a previous article 1 which dealt entirely with pure-bred fowls in this Territory and summarize detailed results obtained with native and first-cross European and native birds. There is also a section dealing with growth rates of different types of birds and another with the storage of eggs so as to reduce deterioration in quality.
A simple "No-Waste" Hygienic feeding trough for poultry
(1942) Thompson, E. S. E.; Veterinary Department, Tanganyika Territory
All the dimensions given in these constructional details may be varied to suit the type of timber available locally. The important point is to make the body of the trough a good fit over the base. This ensures easy removal and no leakage of food between sides and base.
Small Scale Pottery Manufacture
(1944) Glover J.; Goldstucker L.; AMANI
In 1941 the shortage of containers in E. Africa stimulated the investigation of E. African pottery. The potters of the Amani area were women who practised their craft according to tribal custom. Their products were unglazed cooking pots. After some difficulty due to tribal customs several women were engaged to demonstrate their work. The method, building process by walking round a stationary form, was found unsuitable for large scale production and as the potters could not easily adapt themselves to the production of new designs it was decided to train men to use the potters wheel.
The Dwarf Parrots (Agapornis) of Tanganyika
(1945) Moreau R.E; AMANI
Lovebirds", the English name by which these most attractive birds L are usually known, is a literal translation of their generic name. Agapornis, but I cannot think it an altogether happy one. For one thing it conveys an idea of maudlin sentiment-and to no birds is this less appropriate; for another, and more important, the name "lovebird" is to some extent pre-empted by the budgerigars, which are Australian. Other peoples' names for the Agapornis, Inseperable and Unzertrennlicher ("inseparable"), are not open to these objections.
Some Recent Terms and Tendencies in Bird Taxonomy
(1948) Moreau R.E
Of recent years it has been increasingly recognized that natural populations are more variable, and organisms more difficult to classify than they once seemed. The present mood is chastened. "No system of nomenclature and no hierarchy of systematic categories is able to represent adequately the complicated set of inter-relationships and divergences found in nature. Not even the most extreme splitting will ever lead to completely homogeneous categories" (Mayr 1942: 102). This dissatisfaction has led to a reconsideration of the criterion of infertility and also to the proposal of new taxonomic categories, which are here briefly reviewed. I am indebted to Dr. W. H. Thorpe, Mr. H. N. Southern and Mr. D. Lack for discussing this review with me.
Aspects of Evolution in the Parrot Genus Agapornis
(1948) Moreau, R.E.
Agapornis, an African genus of parrots allied to Loriculus of Asia, has usually been classified in nine species. Their geographical, altitudinal and ecological ranges are described and their temperature relations are worked out. There is a general agreement with Bergmann's rule. Only two of the Agapornids appear to be in any respect ecologically specialized: to A. swinderniana, the only one confined to tropical evergreen forest, the seeds of figs may be an essential food; and A. pullaria is more or less completely dependent on the nests of arboreal insects for nesting‐sites. The other seven Agapornids are birds of dry country with a wide range of food and are indiscriminate hole‐nesters. All nine birds are practically allopatric. The four closely allied birds in East Africa, which produce fertile hybrids very freely in captivity, seem nowhere actually to meet in nature. Certain vegetation types, especially Brachystegia‐Isoberlinia woodland, appear to be an effective barrier, for reasons not clear.
Poultry Killing and Processing
(1950) Ginsberg, A.
The meat of poultry forms a large proportion of man's diet and ranks next to the flesh of mammalia. Considerable quantities of birds are exported to Britain by France, Ireland, Poland, Italy, etc. The poultry industry of this Colony is developing and the time may not be far ahead when the number of birds will far exceed local demands and leave a substantial quota for export. To compete, however, with the old established continental exporters everything will have to be done to satisfy the standard demands of the British market. Besides choosing the proper breeds, methods of feeding, slaughtering, processing, sorting and plucking have to receive very careful attention if a standard product is desired.
Intensive egg production for the smallholder in Uganda
(1954) Manning, H. L.; Empire Cotton Growing Corporation, Namulonge, Uganda
Increased costs of imported farm products into Uganda have offered the smallholder a challenge can be, in fact, replace the imported produce and, perhaps, even under-sell much of it? In particular, new-laid eggs are generally in short supply in Uganda and, even when available, are very expensive. As a result the writer considered it worthwhile to conduct an experiment to see what return could be obtained from poultry on the home scale. It was thought also at the time that, were the experiment successful, it would be possible to make up foods from local foodstuffs, according to various well-tried formulae given in the East African Agricultural Journal.