Production and reproductive performances, trait preferences, breeding practices and egg quality parameters of improved chickens: the case of Eastern zone of Tigray region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the production and reproductive performances, trait preferences, breeding practices, and egg quality traits of improved chicken breeds in rural, peri-urban, and urban production systems in Adigrat town and Ganta-afeshum woreda of Eastern Zone, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 180 improved chicken breed owners were randomly selected based on proportional sampling and interviewed with a pre-tested structured questionnaire and focus group discussion methods were used to collect data. Ranking index, chi-square, independent sample test, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The result of these studies revealed that the average mean body weight, mean age pullets at first laying, and number of eggs laid/hen/year, of Bovans brown was (1.63±0.47, 2.01±0.36, 1.64±0.19 kg), (5.54±0.69, 4.88±1.025, 5.46±0.73 months), (188.89±24.81, 220.94±24.91, 204.96±23.68), and Sasso chicken was (2.51±0.89, 2.81±0.68, 2.71±0.47kg), (5.85±0.82, 5.12±1.17, 5.84±1.04 months), (172.47±25.02, 194.71±23.15, 180.11±28.76), in rural, urban and peri-urban settings, respectively. Regarding the quality of eggs, the average mean weight of eggs of Bovans brown and Sasso is 59.52±4.26, 62.21±5.71, 60.42±4.04gm and 54.09± 6.76, 57.154±9.485, 56.63±5.55gm, in rural, urban and peri-urban settings, respectively. The average mean yolk color measurement of eggs is (9.60±1.50, 7.75±1.55, 8.25±2.17) for Sasso and (8.20±1.70, 6.80±1.58, 7.30±1.30) for Bovans Brown chicken breeds in rural, urban and periurban settings, respectively. Egg yield for Bovans brown chicken and body weight for the Sasso chicken breed are the most important traits preferred by the respondents. Lack of vaccines and occurrence of disease, lack of scientific knowledge in chicken management, and shortage of balanced feed are the major constraints that decrease the production and reproductive performance of improved chickens reported by chicken producers. In conclusion, Bovans Brown chickens are a better option for farmers whose main objective is to maximize egg size because they produce eggs with a higher egg weight than Sasso chickens in all production methods. Sasso chickens, on the other hand, might be advantageous to anyone looking for a breed that balances the production of meat and eggs. Therefore, it is recommended that good husbandry and management practices such as feeding strategy, housing and health care is demanded. In addition, there should be an appropriate intervention in disease prevention and control activities to improve production and reproductive performances of chicken at a largest rate.