Production Performance of Koekoek Chickens Under Backyard Management Conditions

Abstract

The study was conducted in East Shoa zone in Dugda district from April 2017 to June 2018 to evaluate the production performance of koekoek chickens under farmers` management conditions. A total of 193 female and 32 male three months age grower koekoek chicken were used for the study. Three months grower koekoek chickens were distributed to five farmers research extension groups (FREGs) in Dugda districts of the mid rift valley of Ethiopia. Average age at sexual maturity, annual egg production and mortality of koekoek chicken obtained under farmers management condition were 22±1.2 weeks, 164±8.4 eggs/hen/year and 31% respectively. Weight of chicken at first egg laying and weight of cockerel at 22 weeks of age were 1.6±0.4 and 2.4 ±0.35 kg respectively. The mean value measurements obtained on egg weight in gram(g), shell thickness in millimeter (mm), yolk color, albumin weight in gram (g) and yolk weight in gram(g) were 44.28±2.96, 0.62 ±0.16, 6.7±0.5, 27.28±3.4 and 12.8±1.4 respectively. In the study area the frequent existence of Newcastle disease and external parasite was found to be the bottle neck for exotic poultry production. In addition lack of adequate package delivery and supply system are among the observed problems in the study area. We can conclude that poultry production in the study area is economically feasible along with veterinary service delivery and input supply like supplementary feed.

Evaluation and Demonstration of Dual-purpose “Koekoek Potchefstroom” Chickens in Pastoral areas of Hammer woreda, South Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

“…This result was lower than Belay et al, (2018) report in which age at first laying was 6 months in Tigray region and 187 days in Shebedino woreda of Sidama region ( Yirgu et al, 2019). But higher than the value reported by Geleta (2020) in East Showa zone which is 22 weeks; Aman et al (2016) in the southern part of Ethiopia (142 days); Belay et al, (2018) and Desalew (2012) (153 days) results of age at first egg laying of the same breed. Correspondingly, in South Africa, this chicken grasps the age of 130 days (Nthimo, 2004).…”

“…(2018) on Koekoek (52.5 g), Nthimo (2004) on koekoek (55.7 g) and Rhode Island Red (52.5±2.83 g) and Lemlem and Tesfay (2010) on white leg horn (52.1±3 g) chickens. Egg weight at East Shoa zone in Dugda district was obtained 44.28 g under backyard management (Geleta, 2020). According to Geleta (2020), variation in egg weight most probably caused due to different feed resource because egg weight is the function of breed and protein source feed.…”