Kabuage, L.Ayieko, D.M.O.Bett, E.K.2014-09-052014-09-05201-04Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Vol. 3(2), pp. 026-034, April 20142327-3151http://www.academia.edu/6974610/An_analysis_of_the_efficiency_of_indigenous_chicken_marketing_channels_in_Makueni_County_Kenyahttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/11172The indigenous chicken (IC) (Gallus domesticus ) production is an important agricultural activity in many households in Kenya. Despite its importance, little research has been carried to enhance its productivity. Focus now is on IC because it presents an ideal poverty-food insecurity exit strategy especially for smallholders. It has been recently noted that market linkages is key in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, there is little information on the marketing efficiency of IC in Makueni. Therefore the objective of this study was to analyse the marketing efficiency of the IC market and make policy recommendations to support IC value chain. A total of 66 IC traders and 130 producers were selected using purposive random sampling in Makueni and Nairobi counties. A pretested questionnaire was administered and data analysed using the shepherd index and multiple regression. A total of 8 marketing channels were identified, with a marketing efficiency index of between 5.29 and 1.81. Marketing cost, number of intermediaries, marketing margin, profit and price of IC had a significant effect on the marketing efficiency. Therefore it was recommended that contract models should be adopted for collective marketing and an improved marketing efficiency.enIndigenous chickenproductivityefficiencyvalue chainshepherd indexAn analysis of the efficiency of indigenous chicken marketing channels in Makueni County, KenyaArticle