ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS CHICKEN PERFORMANCE TRAT WITH THEIR PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN NORTH WOLLO ZONE, ETHIOPIA

The study was conducted in Habru and Gubalafto woredas of North Wollo Zone, with the objective of evaluating indigenous chicken’s performance traits with their production system. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select representative sample respondents based on agro-ecology and 186 respondents were selected for interview. Semi-structured questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), household surveys, and direct observations were held for data collection. For liner body measurements and qualitative trait descriptions 376 local chickens of both sexes were randomly taken. Quantitative traits (shank length, body length, egg weight, and body weight) were measured using a portable weighing scale while qualitative traits were determined by observation. Correlations of live body weight with different body measurements were computed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Stepwise regression was used to regress body weight of both sexes. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in egg utilization practices. Disturbing in the nest (26.7%) and tying outside laying nest (34.4%) were the major methods for broodiness breaking. Plastic materials with sand bedding during the dry season and grain bedding in the rainy season, and bin with the grain (teff, finger millet) /cottonseed/ sand/ bedding were the most ways to store eggs in both districts. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among chicken housing practices and perch at one corner of the common house were mostly used in the two districts. Significant difference (P<0.05) were existed in eggs incubated and hatchability across study kebeles. Significantly (P<0.01) higher egg/clutch was recorded in Gubalafto than Habru district. There was significant difference (P<0.05) among chicken production opportunities. Prevalence of disease, high chick mortality, predator attack, feed shortage and lack of parent stock were the major constraints of chicken production. There was no significance (P>0.05) difference among the qualitative traits of chicken except for body shape and comb type. Body weight, body length, and shank length were significantly (p<0.05) affected by district. Uniform and positive correlations among body weight and body length, shank length and egg size of chickens were observed. Generally, most of the indigenous chickens were kept and evaluated in scavenging management systems with low production performance and different morphology. There is a strong need for adequate intervention in improving the management system of chicken. In addition, testing the general performance potentials of the studied indigenous chickens under improved management system is important.