Production of poultry in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is described. Data
from field surveys and from Government and other documents are analysed. Some
95 per cent of poultry are kept in the village, mainly scavenging, system and only 5
per cent are found in industrial systems. Poultry (domestic fowl, two duck species,
turkey, Chinese goose, pigeon and other species in that order of importance) are kept
by about 90 per cent of households. In absolute terms greatest numbers are found in
the northern and central parts of the country. More birds per person are kept in the
less developed northern and southern regions. “Average” households own a mixed
flock comprising 14-20 domestic fowl, 6-10 ducks, 2-6 turkeys and geese and a flock
of pigeons although most owners raise only fowl and ducks. Genetic resources are
almost entirely indigenous or naturalized except for a relatively small number of
hybrid domestic fowl for industrial egg and meat production. National poultry meat
production in 2000 was estimated at 12 800 tonnes and egg production at 10 700
tonnes. Production per bird is 25-60 eggs per year for scavenging fowl and common
Anas ducks and slightly less for Muscovy ducks. Village poultry products are
consumed at home or sold in local markets. There is growing urban demand from
which small scale producers should be able to benefit. Disease is an important
constraint to production. Newcastle disease is the main problem in village flocks.
Avian Influenza is of concern in the commercial sector. More attention should be
given to smallholder producers. This, together with interventions in housing and
sanitation and in nutrition and disease control, would greatly increase output.
Smallholder producers would be the principal beneficiaries of these interventions in
improvements to food security and nutritional status and in reduced production risk.