Yusuf and Kefyalew_2024 Production and reproductive performance, and egg quality of indigenous chicken in Siltie Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the production and reproductive performance and egg quality of local chicken in Highland and Midland Agro ecologies in Silte Zone of Central Ethiopia Region. From each agro-ecology four districts were purposively selected and using simple random sampling technique. About 320 households who have more than five adult chickens were purposely selected. Primary and secondary data sources were used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 2011, version 20 and SAS, 2002, version 9.0 software packages. 300 eggs were collected and transported to Hawassa University, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Poultry farm laboratory and assessed the egg quality. Matured body weight of cockerels was 1271.3±89.29 and 1220±87.27 grams in Midland and Highland and laying hens matured body weight of 1023.8±80.47 and 1027.5±75.19 grams in Midland and Highland agro-ecologies respectively; Matured body weight and matured age of cockerels, pullets age at first egg laying and survival of chicks in wet season were significantly (p<0.05) better in the Midland agro ecology. Pullet’s age at first egg laying were 28.30±1.72 weeks with annual egg production of 47.92±6.71 eggs. Egg weight, egg length, egg width, shell weight, albumen weight and yolk diameter were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Midland, while egg shape index, albumen height, yolk height, yolk ratio and Haugh Unit of eggs were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Highland agro ecology. In conclusion there was variation on production and reproductive performance and egg quality of indigenous chicken under farmers’ management conditions between two agro ecologies. In some production performances, and some egg quality parameters of indigenous chickens were better in the Midland agro ecology. Further, evaluation on station performance and egg quality is recommended for comparison on farm in traditional management.