Constraints to Small Ruminant Production in Smallholder Mixed Farms in Kiambu District, Kenya.

Abstract

Constraints to production of small ruminants in smallholder farms in Kiambu District, Kenya, were investigated. A 2- stage cluster and systematic random sampling of66 smallholder farms was carried out. Farms were visited once a month for nine months. Samples for faecal egg-count and production data were collected during each visit. Poor management, diarrhoea-pneumonia complex, shortage of farmland and lack of credit were identified as major constraints. Crude morbidity was estimated as 34.4% while crude mortality was estimated as 16.8%. Morbidity and mortality were highest among the young stock (0-6 months)