Local Chicken (LC) keeping is an important activity in improving socio-economics of the
peri-urban communities in Tanzania. Despite the LC has socio-economic importance, its
information is in adequately available. This study assessed the socio- economic
importance of LCs production in peri-urban areas of Kinondoni District. The study
specifically determined the contribution of local chicken production to peri-urban
household’s income, examined the process of LC management from day old chick to the
market time, examined constraints facing LC keeping and determined factors influencing
income through LC keeping. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and a
purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 90 households which were
keeping LCs. Primary data were collected using a household questionnaire survey, Focus
Group Discussion (FGDs) and Key Informant interview (KI) methods. The data from the
questionnaire were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).
Descriptive statistics namely frequencies, percentage and mean were computed. A
multiple linear regression was used to determine contribution of local chicken to
household income. The data collected using (FGD) and (KI) were analysed using content
analysis method. The study findings found that, peri-urban households earned a good
amount of income from sales of LC and its products.LC income supported on HH to
afford some basic needs such as school fees, food and health services bills. Both females
and males jointly owned LC at 50%, female owned LC for about 37% while males
accounted for 13.3%. About 96% of households used LC as a gift and ritual sacrifice while
traditional healings accounted for 33.3%. About 37% of HHs reported to use cock’s alarm
for detecting time. Education level, initial capital, experience of LC keeping, rearing
systems, accessibility to extension services and constraints were significantly influencing
income and production of the local chicken (p<0.05). The study concludes that local
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chicken production improves socio-economies of peri-urban households. The study
recommends that various stakeholders including the local governments should put more
emphasis on promoting LC production as it contributes to the smallholder household’s
income.