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From Miriam Mangwaya in Chikomba
THE demand for poultry products in Chivhu and surrounding areas has increased phenomenally ahead of the festive season with local shops failing to sustain the market for day-old chicks. A survey by The Herald last week showed that some chicken farmers are sleeping in queues to buy day-old chicks as most suppliers are selling the chicks on first-come-first served basis.

Chikomba District livestock production and development officer Mr Cosmus Ratsakatika said the current supply of day-old chicks was not meeting the demand as most farmers are keeping chicken in anticipation of brisk business ahead of the Christmas holiday.

“Broiler production is a source of living for many farmers in the district so many are struggling to stabilise their income earnings during this period of limited supply of chicks. Some have even gone for two months without having the chicks to grow,” he said. Mr Ratsakatika urged poultry producers to consider venturing into rearing tradition free range chickens until the supply of day-old chicks improves.

He encouraged farmers to buy from registered suppliers to avoid losses as there may be unscrupulous dealers selling low genetic day-old chicks. These, he said, have high mortality rates and stunted growth. Marwofa Shares director Mr Nduna Marwofa said due to the prevailing shortages of day-old chickens, his company has limited the supply of chicks from 30 000 to only 1 000 per week.

“Due to the massive shortage of day-old chicks throughout the country, I can no longer meet the demand for locals,” Mr Marwofa said.
“I have also reduced allocation per person so that at most, 100 households can get chicks every week. However, 10 chicks are not adequate for business purposes and it does not relieve the pressure for demand.”

He said despite the increasing demand of chicks the prices have remained stagnant at 80 cents and 90 cents each. Poultry farmers are, however, still optimistic that the situation would return to normal and afford them a chance to remain in business of chicken production. They said they hope the supply of chicks would improve so that they continue with their business.

“I earn a living through rearing broilers so this shortage has impacted negatively on my monthly earnings,” Ms Raviro Musarurwa of Marondamashanu said.

“The festive season is around the corner and I was looking forward to make a killing, but now there is no hope. I spent the night here (at the supplier’s shop) only to get 10 chicks and I do not get any profit.” The outbreak of the avian flu sometime in June this year has adversely affected the supply of day-old chicks and other poultry products in the country.