Don’t ignore that bird, it needs vaccination!

Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga (centre) administers a vaccine to a cock during the launch of local poultry vaccination. Looking on is Food Security and Drought Resilience Programme Manager Dr Andrea Bahm. It is advisable to vaccinate poultry to keep diseases at bay. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

Mention of vaccination invokes images of livestock and humans undergoing protection against diseases, but certainly not chicken. Yet the domesticated birds are easily the most common livestock outside pastoral areas.

In Western Kenya for instance, virtually every homestead has chicken or other poultry including aluru (quails). So common are the birds valued for their meat and eggs that they feature prominently at customs surrounding burials and funerals.