Stanley Ebele
Poultry farmers in Kotido district are reeling from loses resulting from the death of the poultry especially chickens.
The unknown disease according to a section of farmers kills chicken within days after showing with signs and symptoms which include watery diarrhea, weight and appetite loss.
The disease which reportedly started mid-January is spreading fast across the villages, and across the district as chicken are largely kept on free range.
Lobwa Aleper, from Losogot in Kotido Municipality, a poultry keeper recounts how he lost dozens of chickens he had kept for cash in January causing him unprecedented lose.
Peter Longok, another poultry farmer told Etoil A Karamoja that he is yet to recover from similar losses after his poultry flock perished from a similar disease.
The death of poultry is now taking a toll on chicken business. According to the chicken traders in Kotido district, the sudden death of hens has lowered prices and cut their profits by nearly half.
John Lopurong, Lotido Lokoona and Lopor Lochul all business men trading in chicken say the register net loses whenever some flock they have bought die before being sold off.
An adult cock which used to cost about 24, 000 shillings currently gets about half-price, while a hen which could cost 18,000 fetches from 6,000 – 8000 shillings.
Dr. Joseph Longoli, the Kotido District Veterinary Officer, says that although the disease is taking a toll on the farmers, the veterinary department is yet to be informed. He asked the farmers to report to their respective divisions so that an examination is conducted to identify the disease and remedies sought.
