Abstract:
Newcastle Disease (ND) is a common occurrence in Suneka Division. ND is caused by Avian Paramyxovirus
Type 1, is one of the most significant diseases for poultry producers around the world. This poultry disease is
influenced directly or indirectly by weather as it affects the timing and the intensity of an outbreak. This article
examined the influence rainfall and temperature on the outbreak and the spread of Newcastle disease in Suneka
Division of Kisii County. The study used a descriptive design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
The sample size was 200 households and respondents were poultry farmers. Veterinary officers were key
informants. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Secondary data on rainfall
and temperature was collected from the Kisii meteorological station for 2007 and 2011. Data was analysed using
measures of central tendency such as means and mode. They were presented using frequency tables. Karl
Pearson coefficient of correlation was used to test the null hypothesis that there was no relationship between
temperature and rainfall, and the occurrence of ND at 5% level of significance. The study revealed that ND
occurs during the months of July-August and December-January. It was generally found out that this disease
occurs after the long March, April and May (MAM) and short rains October November and December (OND). It
was also found out that there was a positive Pearson Correlation between rainfall and ND in the months of
August (r = 0.286) and December (r = 0.275). However, there was a negative relationship in the months July (r =
-0.549) and January (r = -0.144). Concerning temperature, there was a positive Pearson Correlation between
temperature and ND in August (r =0.772), July (r = 0.683) and January (r = 0.159). But, in the month of
December there was a negative Pearson Correlation (r = -0.546). To curb the ND menace and increase
productivity of free range indigenous chicken, the research recommended that there was need for farmers to
monitor weather changes by obtaining data from the meteorological weather stations. Educate small-scale
farmers on how to adopt hygienic and bio-safe poultry rearing methods to minimize loss of chicken through
diseases, pests and predation.
