College of Agriculture

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/40

The College of Agriculture is committed to advancing agricultural education, research, and community service. It serves as a center for knowledge creation and dissemination in crop science, animal production, natural resource management, and sustainable agriculture.

News

Latest research publications, theses, and academic resources from the College of Agriculture are now available.

Browse

Filters

2017 - 20202

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.agroecology

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, EGG PRODUCTION AND LINEAR BODY MEASURMENT TRAITS OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC CHICKENS REARED UNDER TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN BORICHA WOREDA, SIDAMA ZONE
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) SERKALEM ASSEFA
    This study was conducted to assess the management practice, egg production potential, quality and linear body measurement traits of three exotic and local chickens reared under traditional production system in Boricha woreda of Sidama zone. For the survey part, a total of 200 households were randomly selected from 4 purposively selected Kebles which were subdivided in midland and lowland agroecologies. Linear body measurement and egg quality traits were assessed from a total of 192 local and 3 exotic chicken breeds (Bovans, Koekoeck and Sasso) drawn from 48 households. About 480 eggs were used for the evaluation of external and internal egg qualities. The results indicated that the average numbers of eggs set for incubation per hen were 11.1 eggs with a hatchability of 60.0%. Average age at first egg was 238, 155, 157 and 174 days for local, Sasso, Bovans and Koekoeck chicken breeds, respectively. The number of eggs per hen per year was 49.1, 134, 117and 138 for local, Sasso, Bovans and Koekoeck, respectively. The Sasso breed reared in the lowland produced the highest egg number followed by Bovans being (p<0.05) different from Koekeock and local chickens. Moreover, the Sasso chicken breeds reared in the lowland agroecology had higher (p<0.05) values in most linear body measurement traits than those of other chicken breeds. Similarly, egg weight and yolk index values of Sasso breeds reared in the lowland was higher (p<0.05) than those of other chicken breeds. Koekoeck and Sasso chicken breeds reared in midland had higher (p<0.05) shape index and shell thickness values than those reared in the lowland. All chicken breeds reared in the lowland agroecology were better (p<0.05) in all external egg quality parameters than those reared in the midland. Yolk colour was higher (p<0.05) only for chickens reared in the lowland agroecology. All internal egg quality traits of Koekoeck chickens reared in the midland were superior to those of lowland agroecology. In conclusion, the Sasso chicken breed was found to be more efficient in most performance traits if it is reared in the lowland agroecology. Koekoeck chicken breed reared in the midland agroecology was superior in most internal egg quality parameters. It is thus recommended to use Sasso chicken breeds in the lowland agroecology while Koekoeck chicken in the midland agroecology for better productivity.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND TRADITIONAL BREEDING PRACTICES OF FARMERS REARING INDIGENOUS GOATS IN HIDABU ABOTE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
    (Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) GENANEW ABERA
    The study was conducted to describe morphological features, traditional breeding practices of farmers rearing indigenous goat types at Hidabu Abote district. The district was stratified in to highland, midland and lowland. Multi-stage sampling techniques were applied to select the kebeles and households within each agroecology. The research was composed of data collection using semi-structured questionnaire and morphological characterization. One hundred twenty households were randomly selected representing three agro-ecologies. For morphological studies, 342 goats of both sexes were used. Based on morphometrical traits, 16 structural and functional indices were calculated. The results indicated that the average goat flock size in highland, midland and lowland were 3.8, 7.2 and 12.0, respectively; and were significantly different between agro-ecologies. The overall average age at first kidding in highland, midland, and lowland was 11.4, 11.1 and 11.1 months, respectively. The kidding interval of goats in highland, midland, and lowland was 8.9, 8.4 and 8.2 months, respectively. Average number of litter size in highland, midland, and lowland was 1.5, 1.6, and 1.9, respectively. Disease, feed, and water shortage were reported as major constraints. From qualitative traits, the dominant coat color patterns of both sexes were plain (78.7%), pied (21.1%) and spotted (0.3%). The frequently observed coat color types were white (53.2%), brown (26.6%) and light red (15.5%). The proportion of goats with horns and wattles was 95.9% and 71.9, respectively. About 69% of the goats were characterized with concave head profile. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among sex, agro-ecology, and age, except ear length (P>0.05) for body weight and some morphometric traits. The respective average body weight (kg) of both sexes in highland, midland and lowland was 31.1, 30.1 and 32.3 being significantly different from each other. Goats reared in the lowland had higher (p<0.05) body length, chest depth and rump length values compared with those raised in other agro-ecologies. Similarly, scrotal circumference was higher (p<0.05) in lowland goats than in the highland. Heart girth was found to be the best independent variable to predict body weight for both sexes (R2=95%). The structural indices result showed that the body index was 0.87, which classify the studied goats as medigline goat. The compact index value 4.6, which classified them as meat type. However, the proportionality index (107) which is above 100 classifying them as dairy type breeds. In conclusion, the highest values for body weight, body length, chest depth, rump length and scrotal circumference were observed in those goats raised in the lowland. It is thus recommended to focus on the genetic and management improvement strategies of goats reared in the lowland.