Management Practices and Breeding Objectives of Indigenous Chicken Keeping Farmers in Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract Understanding management practices and production objectives is crucial for designing sustainable breeding and improvement programs. This study aimed to characterize the indigenous chicken management systems and breeding objectives of farm households in three districts of the Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A total of 180 chicken-owning households were randomly selected from nine peasant associations and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results indicated that poultry housing was widely practiced, with 93.9% of households providing some form of shelter to protect chickens from predators, disease, theft, and adverse weather. Supplementary feeding was common, as 92.2% of households provided additional feed to improve egg production, meat yield, chick growth, and brooding performance. About 86% of households reported disease outbreaks, mainly due to limited access to vaccination services and poor poultry health management. The primary purpose of chicken keeping was income generation through the sale of live birds, followed by household consumption of meat and eggs and cultural or ceremonial uses. Farmers applied multiple criteria when selecting breeding stock. Egg production, body weight, and disease resistance were the most important traits for breeding hens, while body weight, comb type, plumage color, and disease resistance were emphasized for breeding cocks. Disease, predation, and feed shortage were identified as the major production constraints, highlighting the vulnerability of the free-ranging production system. Overall, the findings suggest improved health services, better housing, and targeted genetic improvement strategies to enhance indigenous chicken productivity.