VILLAGE CHICKEN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN CHEHA DISTRICT OF GURAGE ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted in Cheha district with the objectives to characterize existing village chicken production practices, productivity, and marketing and to evaluate egg quality. 6 Kebeles (Ks) (3 from each high and mid altitude) and a total of 284 respondents (180 from smallholder households purposively, 24 key informants for focus group discussion randomly and 80 market participants randomly) were included. A total of 180 freshly laid eggs (15 eggs from each local and Sasso crossbred chickens/Ks were collected from selected HHs. Survey data were analyzed using SPSS, while egg quality parameters were analyzed by SAS. Chicken holding/HH was 12.36 which were mainly obtained from market and private farm (46.70%) and hatched (own) (30.55%). About 75% of village chicken, income from sale of chicken (66.7%) and eggs (82.2%) owned by women. Chickens kept (46.67%) and eggs for brooding (20.55% were source of income. Less than half (47.2%) of the HHs had no access to extension services. Majority of the HHs practiced scavenging with little supplementation (87.8%, provided water (81.7%), had no separate house (96.11%), practical uncontrolled matting system (100%). NCD was the most dominant chicken disease (75%). Sasso crossbred chickens produced higher number of eggs/year (174.27±1.12) than the local chickens (54.36±0.39). The overall mean values of hatchability and chick mortality (%) of both local and crossbred chickens in the district were 72.75 and 43.13, respectively, and also due to low disease resistance ability Sasso crossbred (49.15%) chicks had a higher mortality rate than local chicks (37.12%). The higher prices were registered during Ethiopian New Year (221.3±1.25) and Christian holidays for chickens (173.55±1.33) for egg (3.85±0.02) and (3.66±0.04) respectively. Seasonal demand (25%), size of the chickens (16.2%), religious festivals (22.5%) and egg sources (16.2%) were the major determinant factors affecting the price of chicken and egg. Diseases, predators, poor management, poor activity of DAs’ and extension workers’, marketing problems and unavailability of commercial chicken ration were the most economical and important constraints prioritized. Average mean weight of eggs, albumin and yolk (g) were 44.6±0.60, 25±0.35 and 14.6±0.12, respectively, where as albumin and yolk height (mm) were 5.2±0.30 and 14.9±0.10, respectively. Average mean value of HU, yolk color, yolk index and shell index were 78.3±0.59, 10.9±0.10, 377.1±3.21 and 72.8±0.15, respectively. The study indicated that mid altitude had higher mean values (egg and albumin weight, albumin and yolk height, yolk diameter and Haugh unit) than high altitude. Similarly, Sasso crossbreds have higher mean values (egg, albumin and yolk weight, egg length and width, egg shape index, albumin and yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index and Haugh unit) than local. In conclusion, Sasso crossbred chickens were performed better egg production and eggs egg quality traits than locals, but still needs improvement like health care, commercial rations, housing system and clear watering though a substantial opportunity is available like grain feed and well climatic condition. Hence, training and education, strong extension service, access to veterinary services, provision of improved chicken, marketing infrastructure (market places and standard price) and proper handling of eggs are recommended to boost up production and marketable egg quality of village chickens in the district.