Browsing by Author "HAILU DUKAKO"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES, AND SOME EGG QUALITY TRAITS OF CHICKENS REARED IN LOKA ABAYA DISTRICT, SIDAMA ZONE, SOUTHERN, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) HAILU DUKAKO
    This study was carried out in Loka Abaya District, Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia. So far there are limited studies conducted in Loka Abaya targeting comprehensive description of the production performance, associated constraints, management practice, and egg quality traits of backyard chicken in rural communities. The objectives of the study were to assess chicken husbandry practices, production, and reproduction potential and evaluate some egg quality parameters in the study. The agro ecology was arranged systematically, Kebeles were selected purposively, and random sampling was used to select 120 chicken rearing households from two agro ecologies. Household survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussions were employed to draw out appropriate data using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, interview schedule, and discussion guide. Concerning egg quality determination, households who have native chicken and cross chicken ecotypes were identified from each agro ecology and, 200 eggs were collected for quality parameters generally. Chi- square test and ANOVA were employed to analyze the statistical difference between two agro ecologies. Accordingly, the result revealed that the mean flock structure of chicks, cockerels, pullet, hens, and cocks, were 5.4 (0.01TLU), 0.9 (0.01TLU), 1.5(0.01TLU), 4.5(0.01TLU) and 0.8 (0.01TLU) heads per household, respectively and mean flock size of chicken 9.4(0.01). The current finding also indicated that the major feed resources were scavenging and supplementary feed (47.5%) and types of supplementary feed was maize and wheat (52.5%). Regarding housing, watering, and chicken constraints; 50.8% of respondents house their chicken with family, 89.2% of respondent provide water freely and predator were major problem followed by disease. Based on survey result the primary purpose of chicken production in the study area was income generation. The current finding also showed that majority of farmers in the study area, purchased veterinary drugs@Oxytetracycline 20% to treat their chicken (47.5%) and also used ethno veterinary medicines (39.2%) and used “Ash “during hatching or egg incubation time to protect eggs from contamination of human hands (90%). The result also indicated that the major determinant factors that affectinfluencing the chicken husbandry practices in the study area include presence of predators, disease, feed shortage, lack of adequate veterinary services and lack of knowledge about modern chicken husbandry practices were identified as the major determinant factors that influence poultry production in the study area. Regarding egg quality parameters; there were difference (p<0.05) between egg weight, egg width, albumen height, albumen weight, yolk color, specific egg gravity, and Haugh unit. An understanding of factors influencing the decision of the respondents were associated with improvement in poultry husbandry critical when formulating technologies regarding with husbandry practices that support chicken production.