PERFORMANCE AND CONSTRAINTS OF EXOTIC LAYER BREEDS UNDER FARMERS' MANAGEMENT IN FOGERA DISTRICT, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A study on performance and constraints of exotic layer breeds under farmers' management in Fogera district South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia were conducted in Fogera District of South Gondar Zone. For this study six rural kebeles (3 from midland and 3 from low land agro-ecologies) and a total of 300 rural chicken owner households were purposively selected. Data was collected through interviews using semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field visit and follow up supported with secondary information from different sources. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and reported using descriptive statistics. The result of the study revealed that the dominant (85.7%) chicken production system of the study area was traditional/ scavenging system. The mean improved chicken flock size per household was 7.63 ±3.02 birds. Sales of chicken as source of cash income, egg production, household consumption and use of birds for cultural/religious functions were the major objectives for chicken owners to keep improved chickens. Only (45.0%) of chicken owners interviewed in both agro-ecologies prepared separate house for chickens. 97.7% of chicken owners experienced chicken disease problem in their locality. Newcastle Disease (locally called “Fengil”) was identified as a major and economically importance health constraints that hinders the expansion of chicken production. Scavenging with additional supplement were the major source of chicken feed reported in both agro-ecologies of the study area,The major source of supplement feed were grain, kitchen leftover and commercial feeds. All chicken owners provide water to birds. The major source of water (73.3%) for chicken producers was tap water followed by river water (13.3%).The overall mean ages of Sasso and Bovan Brown pullet at first egg laying under farmers’ management condition were 5.27 ± 0.03 and 5.53 ± 0.02 months, respectively. The overall annual egg production of Sasso and Bovans brown was 148±1.45 and 223 ±1.16, respectively. The current study revealed that the body weight of the Sasso chicken breed in mid and low land agro-ecologies was significantly higher than Bovan Brown in both agro-ecologies. The results obtained indicated that there was significant (p<0.05) difference between Sasso (58.14±1.24g) in midland and (56.32±1.02g) in lowland agro ecology in mean egg weight and Bovan Brown (64.15±1.57g) in midland and (62.38±1.42g) in lowland agro ecology. High prevalence of disease, inadequate veterinary service, high price and shortage of concentrate feed, attacks of predators, lack of access market and lack of knowledge about modern chicken management were among the major constrains hindered chicken production in the study area. Therefore, efforts have to be made to improve the productivity of exotic chickens in sustainable ways and to shift the existing traditional production system to semi intensive one, focusing on market oriented production with a holistic and multi-disciplinary support of services like; health, feed, husbandry, research, extension, training and credit interventions. Keywords: Exotic chicken; production performance; constraints; farmer management, chicken and egg IX | P a g e