Contamination of indigenous chicken feeds with mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in Western Kenya

Feed safety, quality and supply are closely related, ranging from origin, handling, processing and storage measures. In addition, safety awareness can influence feed quality and quantity at different levels. In Western Kenya, mid plant based chicken feeds are an important part of indigenous chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) production. Farmers normally feed their chicken on rejected or rotten feed/foodstuffs which are normally associated with mycotoxins contamination (secondary metabolites of fungi). However, it is not established whether these feeds are indeed contaminated. The objective of this study was to determine the indigenous chicken feed types, their handling and storage with respect to mycotoxin contamination. It also aimed at finding out farmers’ level of understanding on aflatoxin contaminations. A baseline survey was conducted targeting youth and women farmer groups, where a 3-stage strata sampling design was used for data collection. Data collected included feeds types, handling and storage methods in addition to the farmers’ understanding on feed safety and aflatoxin. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to cover 180 selected indigenous chicken farmers in three Western Kenya Counties (Siaya, Busia and Kakamega). These are mid agro-ecological zones experiencing warm and humid weather conditions which promotes moulds and mycotoxins developments. Most of the farmers used plant based feeds, with maize (Zea mays) being the most common. Commercial feeds, though not used on a regular basis indicated that farmers used what is readily available and generally affordable. It was also found that 72% of the farmers had heard of aflatoxins and 43% knew what they were and their effects on human and chicken. However, most farmers used discarded grains as well as unhealthy grains as feeds and this might be contributing to the aflatoxin contamination.