Wudpecker Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2(9), pp. 256 - 262, September 2013
ISSN 2315-7259 2013 Wudpecker Journals
Village chicken production systems in Metekel zone, Northwest Ethiopia Solomon Zewdu*, Binyam Kassa, Bilatu Agza and Ferede Alemu Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), P.O. Box -2003, Ethiopia. *Corresponding author email address:
[email protected]. Accepted 29 August 2013 A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Metekel zone, Northwest of Ethiopia to assess village chicken production systems, productive and reproductive performance of village chicken and identifying constraints to village chicken production. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 160 farming households and administer a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The average flock size per household was 13.68±0.62. Only 48% of chicken owners prepared a separate overnight houses/shelters for birds. The average age of indigenous pullets and cockerels at first mating was 5.2±1.16 and 5.44±1.3 months, respectively. The total number of clutches/hen/year was 4.29±0.17 with an average of 13.56±0.26 eggs/clutch. The average egg hatchability was 84.74%. Seasonal disease outbreaks, mainly Newcastle disease, and predation were the major causes of chicken loss in the districts. Household division of labor engages women more on various chicken husbandry activities. Respondents prioritized lack of credit service, limited skill of management practices and low productivity of the local chicken as major constraints to chicken production. Thus, technical and institutional interventions are very crucial to alleviate the prevailing constraints and transform the existing traditional/subsistence chicken production system to semi-commercial production system in the study area. Keywords: village chicken production systems, Metekel, Ethiopia. INTRODUCTION In most developing countries rural poultry play significant roles of improving the nutritional status, income, food security and livelihood of many smallholders (Abubaker et al., 2007; Alders and Pym, 2009). In Ethiopia, village chickens are an integral component of the farming system of nearly all rural families, and they account for about 99% of the poultry production system (Tadelle et al., 2003) and for more than 90% of the chicken and egg output of the country (Nigussie et al., 2010). Village chicken production fits quite well with the conditions of rural households due small feed cost, space requirement and low price of the animals (Solomon, 2003). In addition, the local chicken sector constitutes a significant contribution to human livelihood by being affordable sources of animal protein and contributes significantly to food security of poor households (Reta, 2009). Despite its importance, village chicken production system in Ethiopia is generally characterized by poor performance of local chicken in terms of egg production, small egg size, slow growth rate, late maturity, an instinctive inclination to broodiness and high mortality of chicks (Teketel, 1986; Aberra, 2000; Nigussie et al., 2003; Solomon, 2003). On the other hand, local chickens are known for their ability to resist
disease, thermo-tolerance, good egg and meat flavor, hard eggshells, high fertility and hatchability (Aberra, 2000). According to Besbes (2009) and Hunduma et al. (2010), changing production systems and indiscriminate cross-breeding are the major treats to indigenous breeds. Recently, efforts are being made to increase the productivity of indigenous chickens of Ethiopia through selective breeding (Nigussie et al., 2010). According to Solkner et al. (1998), success of such breeding programs on village chicken requires defining the production environment and identifying breeding practices, production objectives and trait of choice of rural farmers. Moreover, to design appropriate development intervention programs on village chicken production, characterization of the production system and understanding the socio-economic implications are crucial (Gueye, 1998; Pedersen, 2002). Due to poor agricultural extension service, however, there is no documented information pertaining to the resource base, productivity and management of the chickens and the constraints in the study area. The objective of the study was to assess production system, productive and reproductive performance of village chickens and to identify production constraints in Metekel zone.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
households, 30.07 and 12.04% of the household members had primary, and secondary school and above education, respectively. The rest 39.65% of the household members had no formal education and 18.05% could read and write. The average landholding per household was 2.49±0.19 ha which is higher than the 1.28 ha reported by Halima (2007) in Northwest Ethiopia, and the national average of 1.02 ha (EEA, 2002). The proportion of land allocated to crop production and grazing was 76.1 and 21.3% of the total farm size respectively, indicating the major proportion of land owned by the households was used for crop production. The remaining 2.6% of the land is occupied by trees/fruits and living quarters. In the study area, the average livestock holding per household was 9.41±0.77 cattle, 8.12±1.05 goats, 5.17±1.05 sheep, 1.17±0.12 mule, 1.42±0.08 donkey, and 13.68±0.62 chickens. Livestock are kept as sources of draft power; milk, meat, skin and hides, and they are also the main sources of income and are closely linked to the social and cultural lives of the community.
The study area and sampling procedure The study was conducted in Metekel zone of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia. About 80% of the zone is characterized by having sub-humid and humid tropical climate. The topography of the zone presents undulating hills slightly sloping down to low land Plateaus having an altitude range from 600-2800 meters above sea level. According to Engda (2000) the surrounding of Metekel zone has a wide climatic range varied from hot to warm moist lowlands (M1) and hot to warm sub humid lowlands (SH1) agro-ecological zones. To obtain the sample households, a three stage stratified sampling technique was employed. First, based on criteria related to altitude, land use system, district’s situation in representing the zone, ethnic group and socio-cultural settings and ease of accessibility, four districts namely Guba (700 masl), Pawe (1120 masl), Dibate (1200 masl), and Wombera (2400 masl) were chosen for the study. From each district 5 Villages or Kebeles were chosen at random. From each village 8 households were randomly chosen to reflect the existing tribal settlements giving a total of 40 households per district.
Gender involvement in village chicken management Decision-making, ownership and division of labor on chicken production in the households of the study area are shown in Figure 1. Gender involvement of the study area is similar to the report of Mcainsh et al. (2004) and Leta and Endalew (2010) who indicated that most of the time the women and children are responsible for chicken rearing, while the men are responsible for other off- farm activities in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia respectively. The results of the study showed that decision on activities to be made including selling of eggs and chicken was mainly made by men (61%) followed by consulting among men and women (16.35%), and women (12.58%). All family members in the household participated in chicken management practices, although the level of participation varied. Men were mainly responsible for construction of shelters, while women were mainly responsible for activities like cleaning, provision of water and selling of eggs and chicken. Children were also participated in the various chicken husbandry activities by their own or together with other family members. According to Fetsum et al. (2009), in the study area, although both husband and wife have equal ownership over their livestock, culturally men are empowered to give final decisions, however women have full access to market and control over benefits from sales of chicken, butter and eggs. As village chickens are easily managed within homesteads, they can easily be managed by women, thus participating women in chicken production programs increases both production efficiency as well as women’s income (Aboul-Ella, 1992; Kitalyi, 1998).
Source of data and analytical technique Data were collected using multiple subject formal survey using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. Data collected include: household characteristics (family size, farmland holding and chicken flock size per household) and various performance related parameters of chickens (age at first mating, number of clutches per year, clutch length, eggs/hen per year and inter clutch). Qualitative and quantitative data sets were analyzed statistically using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Socio-economic characteristics and respondents profile The interviewed households were from Amhara (28.13%), Gumuz (25%), Shinasha (22.5%), Oromo (13.75%) and others (10.63%) like Kemebata, Agew, Tigre, Wolayita and Hadiya nationality. Results showed that from the total of 160 households’ interviewed 69.4% were males and 31.6% were females. The average age of the respondents was 41.02 years. The mean family size was 4.06 members per household. Overall, 61.25% of the households were followers of the Orthodox Christian church and the rest 33.13, 5.63% were Muslims and Protestants, respectively. Out of the total household members found in the 160
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Figure 1. Decision making, ownership and division of labor on village chicken husbandry in Metekel Zone, Ethiopia.
Farming system The results of the study showed that the respondents’ entire are occupied in agricultural activities dominated by mixed crop-livestock production, which accounts 94.2% of the farmers and the rest 5.8% were involved only in livestock production. Village chicken production is an important component of the mixed farming system. Type of crops grown in the study area vary with the agro-ecological zone and includes cereals (maize, sorghum, finger millet, wheat and teff), oil crops (sesame, Niger seed and groundnuts), pulses (mainly haricot beans and soya beans), vegetables, fruits (mainly mango and papaya) and root crops (mainly potato and sweat potato).
to raise their own replacement stock.
Purposes of chicken production The results from this study as identified and prioritized by the respondents showed that purposes of chicken production were for cash income (98.6%), household consumption (95.2%), extra farm activity (82.8%), job opportunity (60%), use of chicken for cultural/religious ceremonies (39.3%), and to use them as a gift (20%). According to Moges et al. (2010) sale of live chicken was the first important function of rearing chicken in Fogera (77.8%) and Dale (43.7%) districts of Ethiopia. Chicken husbandry practices
Flock structure Feeds and feeding In the present study the average flock size was 13.68±0.62 (range 11.75-17.2) birds per flock (Table 1). The survey result obtained in the current study is similar to the work done by Gueye (1997), and Leta and Endalew (2010), who reported average flock size of 13 birds for African village households and Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia, respectively. Chicken population in Pawe district appears to have significantly (p 20 weeks of age Cocks >20 weeks of age Total fock size
District Pawe 6.68±0.94 3.3±0.37 2.18±0.3 3.28±0.44 1.78±0.35 a 17.2±1.46
Dibate 6.17±0.58 2.4±0.18 1.52±0.11 2.12±0.19 1.65±0.41 ab 13.88±0.91
Wombera 3.6±0.65 2.23±0.35 1.88±0.23 1.92±0.18 2.13±0.67 b 11.75±1.25
Guba 4.05±0.77 2.95±0.32 1±0.19 2.85±0.31 1.03±0.26 b 11.88±1.12
Grand mean 5.12±0.38 2.72±0.16 1.64±0.11 2.54±0.15 1.64±0.23 13.68±0.62
Means with different superscripts within a row are significantly different (P < 0.05).
Table 2. Feed resources and feeding practice of chickens in four districts of Metekel zone, Ethiopia.
Variables
District Pawe Dibate 97.5 80
Practice of supplementation (yes) Feeds used for supplementation Maize grain 77.5 Sorghum grain 72.5 Rice (paddy rice) 27.5 Broken maize, sorghum and rice grains 20 Spoiled grains 10 Food left over 57.5 Kitchen left over 7.5 Change due to supplementation (yes) 87.2 Season for shortage of grain supplements Rainy season (May-October) 87.5 Dry season (November-May) 12.5
strategically administered supplements are likely to increase production and minimize mortality once the other constraints have been tackled. Results revealed that 92.5% of the households provide water for their chickens' regularly. Water sources used by the households in the study area were river (30.5%), spring (20.8%), tap water (19.5%), well water (12.3%) and in different combinations of these sources (16.9%). Housing Only 48% of the respondents constructed separate houses for their birds; the other 52% kept in various overnight sheltering places. Results also showed that houses/night shelters were made using locally available materials such as bamboo for making ceilings (86.7%), mud blocks and hat (11.1%), a house made of iron sheet roof (1.5%) and basket made of bamboo (0.7%). The sites are secure overnight places to protect from predators. According to Bell and Abdou (1995), large proportion of village poultry in most African countries is lost due to nocturnal predators.
Breeding Results revealed that 63.1% of the respondents were
Wombera 97.5
Gublack 94.9
Total Percent 92.5
55 42.5 0 12.5 20 52.5 0 58.8
77.5 62.5 0 42.5 40 50 57.5 92.3
47.5 95 0 10 10 35 10 97.5
64.4 68.1 6.9 21.3 20 48.8 18.8 84.9
100 0
100 0
82.5 17.5
92.5 7.5
trying to improve the genetic potential of local chicken through selection based on egg production history (59.4%), body weight (44.3%) and feather colour (25.5%). Selection were made on males (55.2%), females (20%) and both male and females (24.8%). Nigussie et al. (2010) reported that beside other quantitative traits, morphologic traits such as plumage color and comb type have significant economic values. In addition to selection, 37.1% households were upgrading the genetic potential of the local chicken through crossbreeding with exotic breeds. Exotic breeds used for crossbreeding include Rhode Island Red (RIR) (82.5%), White Leghorn (WL) (5.3%) and both RIR and WL (12.3%). The farmers had these exotic birds mainly from Woreda agricultural office as poultry extension packages to improve the productivity of local chickens. Performance of village chickens Production performance The average age of indigenous pullets and cockerels at first mating was 5.2±1.16 and 5.44±1.3 months respectively (Table 3). These findings are comparable with the 5 and 7 months reported by Halima (2007) and Moges et al. (2010) for indigenous birds in Northwest Ethiopia. The female chicken is generally reported to
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Table 3. Production performance of local chickens in four districts of Metekel zone, Ethiopia.
Variables st
Average age of cockerels at 1 mating (months) st Average age of local pullets at 1 mating (months) Average number of eggs/hen/ clutch Number of clutches/hen/ year Total egg production/hen/ year Weaning age (weeks) Reproductive life span of hens (year) Reproductive life span of male chicken (year) a,b,c
District Pawe abc 5.41±1.53 a 5.22±1.18 a 14.72±0.64 a 6.11±0.49 a 93.19±6.79 a 7.49±0.56 a 3.82±0.38 a 4.53±0.43
Dibate b 5.83±1.37 a 5.26±1.10 ab 13.98±0.59 b 4.00±0.29 b 56.03±4.74 a 9.55±0.77 a 3.49±0.27 a 3.92±0.26
Wombera abc 5.51±1.14 a 5.42±1.26 ab 13.46±0.42 b 3.38±0.18 b 45.38±2.79 a 9.00±1.26 a 3.41±0.24 a 3.18±0.15
Guba c 4.92±0.90 a 4.9±1.09 b 12.15±0.37 b 3.79±0.12 b 46.10±2.03 a 8.03±0.48 a 3.53±0.20 a 3.51±0.22
Grand mean 5.44±1.30 5.2±1.16 13.56±0.26 4.29±0.17 59.51±2.66 8.51±0.40 3.56±0.14 3.79±0.15
Least square means with different superscripts within a raw are significantly different (P < 0.05)
Table 4. Hatchability and brooding performance of indigenous hens (using medium and large size broody hens), in four districts of Metekel Zone, Ethiopia.
Variables Choice of broody hen size Large body size Medium body size Source of egg for brooding Home laid Hatchability by medium body size broody hen Number of eggs set Hatchability % Hatchability by large body size broody hen Number of eggs set Hatchability %
District Pawe
Dibate
Wombera
Guba
84.8 15.2
90.5 9.5
87.5 12.5
85.7 14.3
87 13
80
90
92.3
100
90.6
12.73±0.36 82.38
11.65±0.39 79.04
12.86±0.45 76.68
10.30±0.34 74.76
11.8±3.21 78.62
15.21±0.37 89.1
14.88±0.40 82.81
16.91±0.47 80.91
12.40±0.47 84.41
14.74±0.25 84.74
mature late with values ranging from 6 months in Mali and Nigeria (Sonaiya, 1989), 7 months in Tanzania (Katule, 1992), 8 months in Sudan (Wilson, 1979), and 7 to 9 months in Benin (Assan, 1990). The average egg production per hen per clutch of local hens, under existing farmer management condition, was 13.56±0.26 (range 12.15-14.72). The number of clutch periods recorded per year was 4.29±0.17 (range 3.38-6.11) giving a total of 59.51±2.66 (range 45.38-93.19) per hen per year (Table 3). The number of eggs per clutch found in the current study falls within the range (9–19 eggs/clutch) reported by Halima (2007) in Northwest Ethiopia. Moges et al. (2010) also reported similar values, 15.7, 13.2 and 14.9eggs/hen/clutch and total egg production/hen/year of 60, 53 and 55, in Bure, Fogera and Dale districts of Ethiopia, respectively. Reproductive performance Data on hatchability and brooding performance of indigenous hens are presented in Table 4. Over all, in the four districts, the average number of eggs set per hen was 14.74±0.25 (range 12.40-16.91) with a hatchability of 84.7%. The average number of eggs set for natural incubation and hatchability percentage in this study are in agreement with the report of Moges et al. (2010). These authors reported 13 eggs (ranged 7–
Total
22) with hatchability percentage of 82.6 and 89.1 at Bure and Dale districts of Ethiopia, respectively. Results revealed that 82.5, 47.5, 38.5 and 12.5% village chicken owners in Pawe, Dibate, Wombera and Guba, respectively, have a culture of selecting broody hens for egg incubation purposes. Overall, 87 and 13% of the respondents used large and medium body size as a selection criterion for broody hens. Similarly, a study by Moges et al. (2010) showed that 66.7% of the respondents use large body size as a selection criterion for broody hens in Fogera district of Ethiopia. Constraints on village chicken production Diseases, mainly Newcastle, and predation were the major constraints in all areas surveyed. Other constraints included the lack of technical information, capital and credit services to expand production through improved feeding, and housing. Both incidence of chicken disease and predator attack were found to be higher in the wet season (May to November) than in the dry season (October to April). Newcastle disease (Serkalem et al. 2005) and predator attack (Halima, 2007) have also been reported as a major constraints to chicken production in central and Northwest Ethiopia. Moreover, due to low productivity of village chickens, 98.1% of the farmers indicated their interest towards having exotic breeds. Although 37.5 % households
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crossbred the locals with exotic breeds, due to poor management practices in terms of feeding, housing and health provision, the farmers didn’t achieve sustainable improvements from the improved exotic breeds and/or the cross-breeds. A study by Kitalyi (1998) also indicated that there have not been major changes in the production levels of village chickens as a result of such cross-breeding programs for various reasons.
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Conclusion and Recommendation The results of the present study show that village chicken plays a significant role in the livelihood of the farming community of Metekel zone. It serves as source of income and as an affordable source of animal protein, and chickens are also used in many social and cultural or religious ceremonies. As in the other parts of the country, the productivity of village chicken in the study area is generally low. Newcastle disease followed by predator attack was the major constraints to chicken production in the study area. Other constraints included lack of capital and credit service to expand their chicken production, poor management practices on feeding, housing and disease control, lack of technical information and low productivity of the local chicken. Together, these factors resulted in low level of productivity and decreased the direct benefit of the farmers. To alleviate the prevailing constraints and transform the existing traditional/subsistence village chicken production system to a semi-commercial one, intervention options need to base on the production systems and identify and prioritize constraints in the study area.
Acknowledgments We thank district’s agriculture office experts and key informants of the community in the study area for understanding and passing the purpose of the project to the subordinates down to livestock farmers to the Kebele level. We are also grateful to the interviewed farmers for their active participation in sharing their knowledge and time. REFERENCES Aberra M (2000). Comparative studies on performance and physiological responses of Ethiopian indigenous (‘Angete-melata’) chicken and their F1 crosses to long term heat stress. PhD thesis. Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Berlin, Germany. 182 pp. Aboul-Ella S (1992). Women of the developing countries and their role in poultry. In Proceedings, 19th World Poultry Congress, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 20–24 September 1992. 2:697-700. Abubakar MB, Ambali AG, Tamjdo T (2007). Rural
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