Ghana expands Chicken4U scheme to distribute dual-purpose chicks to rural farmers
Initiative links smallholders to structured breeding and brooding systems
GHANA – Ghana is rolling out the Chicken4U project to extend the supply of improved dual-purpose poultry breeds to small-scale farmers in rural regions through a structured distribution system.
The initiative aligns with the Poultry Multiplication Initiative and the African Poultry Multiplication Initiative, which aim to improve household nutrition, generate income opportunities, and increase the participation of women and youth in village-level poultry production.
Brooder system introduced to improve early survival
Under the programme’s design, certified parent stock farms produce day-old chicks that are then transferred to brooder units where they are raised for four weeks under controlled conditions before being sold to farmers.
These brooder units provide heat, feed, and vaccination services during the early stage of growth, a period often linked to high mortality rates in traditional smallholder systems.
The approach follows a model already applied under PMI and APMI frameworks across several African countries, where vaccinated dual-purpose birds have been introduced with reported improvements in survival rates and productivity.
Focus on dual-purpose breeds
The project prioritises dual-purpose chicken breeds that can supply both eggs and meat, offering farmers an alternative to specialised broilers that are mainly suited for meat production.
These breeds are designed to perform in low-input systems, such as free-range and semi-confined setups, which are common in rural households with limited access to commercial feed and veterinary services.
By using birds more adaptable to local conditions, the programme addresses common challenges, such as high mortality and feeding costs, that affect small-scale poultry operations.
Access to improved stock and local participation
Chicken4U targets households that have traditionally relied on indigenous scavenging chickens or irregular supplies of imported chicks, which often entail higher risks and inconsistent performance.
Through direct delivery of vaccinated chicks to villages, the project aims to reduce early losses and improve the likelihood of returns from both egg production and the sale of live birds.
At the same time, brooder operators and community poultry agents are being trained to handle chick management, vaccination, and advisory services, creating income opportunities within the local poultry value chain.
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