Performance evaluation and sustainability challenges of tropically adopted exotic chicken breeds in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The study aimed to describe performance and challenges of village-based exotic chicken production in Northwest Ethiopia. Three zones, 13 districts, and 300 households were selected. The data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires, field observations, and key informant interviews. In the study area, the average exotic chicken holding per household was 4.27 ± 0.13 birds. The most dominant flocks were hens followed by pullets with high significant difference (P < 0.01) in the midland agro ecology. The annual number of egg production of Sasso, Bovans brown, and Koekoek was 110.99 ± 1.45, 123.29 ± 1.16, and 102.92 ± 1.22, respectively. The average age of pullets at first egg laying was 5.25 ± 0.03 (Sasso), 5.53 ± 0.02 (Bovans brown), and 5.71 ± 0.03 (Koekoek) months. The age of cockerels (mean ± SE) at first mating was 4.18 ± 0.06 (Sasso), 4.89 ± 0.06 (Bovans brown), and 5.15 ± 0.06 (Koekoek) months. Male age (mean ± SE) at slaughter of Sasso, Bovans brown, and Koekoek were 4.24 ± 0.06, 6.28 ± 0.05, and 5.68 ± 0.06 months, respectively. The lack of improved breed supply was the first production challenge followed by feed shortages and disease outbreaks. Therefore, designing exotic chicken market supply, practicing ration formulation with locally available feed resources, controlling disease, and predator with biosecurity measures and other proper management strategies in respective of agro ecologies could be mandatory.

Keywords:

• Agro ecologies
• challenges
• exotic chicken
• performance
• sustainable production

Authors contribution

HA contributed to the conception or design of the work, write-up of the manuscript, and coordination of the entire research activities. AY, TK, GM, and DA contributed to data collection and coding. HA and AY involved in data analysis and interpretation of results. MM, MB, DC, AY, and HA carried out the organization and drafting of the manuscript. Finally, all authors participated in revising critically for important intellectual content and approval of the final manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the University of Gondar and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences for their funding support for this study. The authors would also like to thank farmers and district agricultural expertise for their cooperation during data collection.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in “figshare” at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.20009492.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that this manuscript work was funded by the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, under Grant (672020). The entire required budget starting from conception or design of the work was covered.

Notes on contributors

Habtamu Ayalew

Habtamu Ayalew is an assistant professor of animal production at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He has vigorous experience in teaching and research work in the area of animal nutrition and production, more focused on monogastric gut health, microbiota, and antibiotic alternative feed additives. He has many published works in national and international reputable journals. Other co-authors of the manuscript work at the University of Gondar and research institutes with different positions and research experiences.