Breeding non-ruminant animals is a critical aspect of livestock production within Kenya's agricultural sector. Non-ruminant animals such as poultry, pigs, and rabbits contribute significantly to food security, income generation, and employment for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. Understanding the principles and practices of breeding these animals enhances productivity, genetic improvement, and sustainability in diverse farming systems across the country. This chapter explores the foundational concepts of breeding non-ruminants, their importance, and the common types encountered in Kenyan agriculture.

1.1 Breeding of Non-Ruminant Animals

Breeding refers to the selection and mating of animals to produce offspring with desirable traits that improve productivity and adaptability. In the context of non-ruminant animals, breeding focuses on enhancing characteristics such as growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, disease resistance, and reproductive performance. Effective breeding programmes are vital for farmers and extension officers to meet the increasing demand for animal protein and to improve livelihoods. Kenyan poultry farmers, for example, benefit from selective breeding to produce layers with higher egg yields suitable for local climatic conditions.

1.1.1 Definition of terms

Understanding key terminology in breeding is essential for effective communication and implementation of breeding programmes. These terms form the foundation for discussing genetic improvement and animal management.

Breeding

Breeding is the planned selection and mating of male and female animals to produce offspring. A farmer who chooses a boar and sows with good growth records to mate together is practising breeding.

Non-ruminant animal

A non-ruminant animal has a simple (single-chambered) stomach and does not chew the cud. Pigs, rabbits, poultry, donkeys and horses are examples.

Breed

A breed is a group of animals of the same species that share common appearance and inherited characteristics, and that pass these on when mated together. Large White and Landrace are breeds of pig.

Gestation period

The gestation period is the length of time from successful mating (conception) to birth of the young. It differs between species and guides planning of mating, housing and feeding.

Genetic improvement

Genetic improvement involves the deliberate selection of animals with superior traits to pass these traits to the next generation, aiming to enhance performance and productivity over time.

Breeding stock

Breeding stock refers to animals selected for reproduction based on desirable characteristics such as growth rate, fertility, and disease resistance, ensuring quality offspring.

Crossbreeding

Crossbreeding is the mating of animals from different breeds to combine desirable traits from each breed, often resulting in hybrid vigour or heterosis, which improves growth and survival rates.

Pure breeding

Pure breeding involves mating animals within the same breed to maintain specific breed characteristics and genetic purity, critical for preserving traits such as egg colour in indigenous chickens.

Inbreeding

Inbreeding is the mating of closely related animals, which may increase the risk of genetic defects and reduce vitality but can be used cautiously to fix desirable traits within a population.

1.1.2 Importance of breeding non-ruminant animals

Breeding non-ruminant animals has multifaceted importance in Kenya's agricultural landscape, impacting food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable farming practices. It enables farmers to optimise production and adapt animals to local environmental challenges.

Enhanced productivity

Selective breeding increases traits such as growth rate, feed efficiency, and reproductive capacity, allowing farmers to produce more meat, eggs, or other products in shorter timeframes.

Disease resistance

Breeding programmes can focus on animals naturally resistant to common diseases, reducing mortality rates and the need for expensive veterinary treatments, a benefit for smallholder farmers with limited resources.

Adaptation to local conditions

Animals bred for resilience to local climatic stresses, such as heat tolerance in poultry or parasite resistance in pigs, perform better under local environmental conditions, improving farm profitability.

Economic benefits

Improved breeds fetch higher market prices due to superior quality and quantity of products, enhancing income for farmers and contributing to rural development.

Genetic diversity conservation

Maintaining and improving indigenous breeds through careful breeding preserves genetic diversity, which is crucial for long-term sustainability and adaptability of livestock populations.

1.1.3 Types of non-ruminant animals

Non-ruminant animals are characterised by their simple stomach structure and include species widely reared in agriculture for food, income and work. Knowing their types helps in choosing appropriate breeding strategies, because each species differs in age at first mating, gestation or incubation period, and number of young produced.

1.1.3.1 Rabbits

Rabbits are increasingly important for meat production due to their high reproduction rate and efficient feed utilisation. Breeding efforts target size, fertility, and adaptability to local feed resources. Example: a smallholder keeping a breeding unit of one buck and several does can produce many fryers each year from a small space.

Key breeding features of rabbits:

• Common breeds: New Zealand White, California White, Chinchilla and Flemish Giant are used for meat, often as pure breeds or in crosses.
• Gestation period: It is about 28 to 32 days, so a doe can kindle several times a year if well managed.
• Litter size: A doe may produce several kits per litter, and mothering ability and milk yield are important selection traits.
• Age at first mating: Does are mated once they reach suitable body weight and maturity, which depends on the breed size.
• Breeding goals: Fast growth, good feed conversion, high fertility, and tolerance to local feeds and weather.

1.1.3.2 Pigs

Pigs are valued for their rapid growth and high feed conversion efficiency. Breeding aims at enhancing litter size, growth performance, and meat quality. Breeds such as Large White, Landrace and Duroc are widely used for pork production, often in crossbreeding programmes. Example: a farmer may mate Large White sows to a Landrace boar to obtain fast-growing, prolific crossbred piglets.

Key breeding features of pigs:

• Common breeds: Large White, Landrace, Duroc and Hampshire are used, with each valued for different traits such as prolificacy or carcass quality.
• Gestation period: It is about 114 days, often remembered as three months, three weeks and three days.
• Litter size: Sows produce many piglets per litter, so number born alive and weaned is a key selection trait.
• Mothering ability: Good milk yield and calm behaviour reduce piglet losses through crushing and starvation.
• Breeding goals: Large litters, fast growth, lean carcass, good feed conversion and resistance to parasites and disease.

1.1.3.3 Poultry

Poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys are widely reared non-ruminants, kept for meat and eggs. Breeding focuses on improving egg production, growth rates, and disease resilience. Example: a farmer rearing layers selects hens from strains known for high egg numbers and heat tolerance, while a broiler farmer chooses fast-growing strains.

Key breeding features of poultry:

• Types of chicken: Layers are bred for egg production, broilers for fast meat growth, and dual-purpose and indigenous chickens for both meat and eggs under low-input systems.
• Common breeds: Leghorn is a well-known layer breed, while Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Rock are examples of dual-purpose breeds.
• Reproduction: Birds lay eggs, which are incubated naturally by a broody hen or artificially in an incubator; chicken eggs hatch after about 21 days.
• Mating ratio: One cock is kept with a number of hens to keep eggs fertile, and the ratio depends on the breed type.
• Breeding goals: High egg numbers, good egg size and shell quality, fast growth, good feed conversion, hatchability and disease resilience.

1.1.3.4 Donkeys and horses

Donkeys and horses are non-ruminant animals of the family Equidae, kept mainly for work, transport and riding rather than for meat or eggs. They are slow breeders: a female normally produces one foal at a time after a long gestation, so each mating decision matters. Example: a farmer who uses donkeys to haul water and farm produce will select a strong, calm jack and a healthy jenny with sound legs and feet.

Key breeding features of donkeys and horses:

• Terms used: The male donkey is a jack and the female a jenny; the male horse is a stallion and the female a mare; the young is a foal.
• Gestation period: It is about 12 months in donkeys and about 11 months in horses, so a female produces at most one foal a year.
• Number of young: A single foal is usual, and twins are rare and risky for the mare or jenny.
• Crossing species: A jack mated to a mare produces a mule, which is usually sterile and therefore cannot be used for breeding.
• Breeding goals: Strength, sound legs and feet, good conformation, calm temperament, endurance and good health for work.

Chapter Summary

This chapter explored the breeding of non-ruminant animals by first defining key terms and highlighting the importance of breeding for improving productivity and genetic quality. It detailed various types of non-ruminant animals including rabbits, pigs, poultry, as well as donkeys and horses, explaining their distinct breeding considerations. The chapter then examined different breeding methods such as crossbreeding, close breeding, line breeding, inbreeding, and upgrading, each with its specific applications and outcomes. Essential breeding tools and equipment were introduced, including pregnancy and hormone testing kits, semen collection kits, ovulation monitors, and artificial insemination kits, alongside their uses and maintenance practices. The selection of breeding stock was discussed with emphasis on its significance and the factors influencing the choice of animals to ensure desirable traits. Various mating methods were covered, distinguishing natural mating from artificial insemination, and evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Finally, the chapter addressed the preparation of breeding records and the practical procedure of collecting semen from a superior male using artificial insemination, underscoring the importance of accurate record-keeping and skillful handling in successful breeding programs.