College of Veterinary Sciences

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    OCCURREN CE OF VI TAM I N E DEFI CI EN CY I N M EKELLE SM ALL H OLDER POULTRY FARM S
    (Mekelle University, 2024-02-21) HAIALY HADGAY
    This research study investigates the occurrence of vitamin E deficiency in smallholder poultry farms in Mekelle, Ethiopia. The study aims to understand the farming practices, demographics, and potential issues related to vitamin E deficiency in the poultry industry. A total of 1 21 farms were visited, and interviews were conducted with farm owners/managers to gather data. The findings reveal several key insights. Firstly, the distribution of farms visited by sub-city shows that Hawelti is a significant area for poultry farming, while K/Woyane has the lowest number of farms visited. Secondly, the majority of respondents had completed high school education, indicating a significant proportion of farm owners/managers with higher levels of education. Thirdly, the median monthly income from the farm was reported as 30,000 ETB, with a considerable variation among the respondents. Furthermore, farm observations identified clinical signs indicative of vitamin E deficiency, including neck twisting, uncoordinated movement, breast edema, emaciation, and stunted growth. The research findings revealed that 35.46% of the visited farms had chicks displaying clinical signs consistent with vitamin E deficiency. Based on these findings, it is recommended to enhance awareness and education about the importance of vitamin E in poultry nutrition. Training programs and workshops can be organized to educate farmers about the symptoms and consequences of vitamin E deficiency, as well as appropriate feeding practices and sources of vitamin E-rich feed. Improving access to quality feed, encouraging supplementation and monitoring, and conducting further research on nutritional diseases of poultry are also recommended. These findings provide valuable insights into the occurrence of vitamin E deficiency in smallholder poultry farms in Mekelle and serve as a basis for future interventions to improve poultry nutrition and productivity.