Mass chicken deaths in Kotido drive prices down

25 February 2025, 11:44 am

Poultry farmers in Kotido district are struggling with losses due to the widespread death of poultry, particularly chickens.

According to some farmers, the unknown disease kills chickens within days of showing symptoms, which include watery diarrhoea, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

The disease, which reportedly began in mid-January, is spreading rapidly across villages and the district, as chickens are predominantly kept on free range.

Lobwa Aleper, a poultry keeper from Losogot in Kotido municipality, recalls losing dozens of chickens he had been rearing for income in January, resulting in an unprecedented loss.

Peter Longok, another poultry farmer, told Etoil A Karamoja that he has yet to recover from similar losses after his flock perished due to the same disease.

The rising poultry deaths are now taking a toll on the chicken trade. According to traders in Kotido district, the sudden loss of hens has driven prices down and reduced their profits by nearly half.

John Lopurong, Lotido Lokoona, and Lopor Lochul, all businessmen trading in chickens, say they incur net losses whenever some of their purchased flock die before being sold.

An adult cockerel, which previously cost around 24,000 shillings, now sells for nearly half the price, while a hen that once cost 18,000 shillings now fetches between 6,000 and 8,000 shillings.

Dr Joseph Longoli, the Kotido District Veterinary Officer, stated that although the disease is severely affecting farmers, the veterinary department has yet to receive formal reports. He urged farmers to notify their respective divisions so that examinations can be carried out to identify the disease and determine appropriate remedies.