Contribution of Village Chickens to Animal Protein Consumption and Income of Rural Households in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the contribution of village chickens to rural households’ animal protein intake and income in three districts in the Greater Accra region. A total of 110 households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Village chicken products (eggs and meat) accounted for 2.71 percent and 5.1 percent of households' animal protein intake and income respectively. There was no significant correlation between flock size and protein security and flock size and net annual income of sample households. The relatively low contribution of village chickens to household protein security and income could be attributed to the small average flock size of about 13 birds per household and the low average egg production per hen per year of about 37 per household resulting from poor husbandry practices. Improvement of the husbandry system of village chickens will be required to increase production in order to enhance their contribution to rural households’ food security and cash income.

Keywords: Village chickens, rural household, animal protein intake, income, Ghana