ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION SYSTEM, MORPHOLOGICAL TRAIT AND EGG QUALITY PARAMETERS OF INDIGENOUS CHICKEN IN WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A study was conducted in two selected woredas (Heban Arsi and Negelle Arsi) of West Arsi zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Production system, some morphometric traits and egg quality parameters of indigenous chickens were assessed. Using purposive multistage sampling a total of 120 households possessing 5 or more matured chickens were selected for study. A total of 360 indigenous chickens were used for determination of morphological traits. Egg quality parameters were evaluated on 240 eggs collected. Extensive management system was practiced in the study area. About 23.3% of households used purposively made chicken houses. Overall mean age at sexual maturity of hens was 6 months and cockerels 5.86 months. Disease, predators and feed shortages were the three major chicken production constraints. Majority of body feather colour of indigenous chickens were red and Red brownish /Kokima followed by White, black with white tips/Teterma, Black, Grayish/Gebsima and Multicolor/Ambasma. All of the chickens possessed normal feathers with the dominant white and red ear lobe colors, yellow shank colors, pea and single comb and plain as well as flat head shape. Overall mean body weight of chickens was 1.3kg. The wingspan length, shank length, shank circumference, comb length, wattle length, body length, back length and keel length measurements were 32.58, 7.74, 3.82, 3.35, 1.44, 30.79, 18.72 and 9.19cm respectively. The average egg weight, shell thickness, egg width, egg length was 39.88, 0.291, 37.80 and 50.64mm respectively with average shape index of 74.72%. The subsequent average albumen height, yolk height, yolk width and yolk color was 4.02 mm, 13.75 mm, 37.04 mm, and 6.77 colour fan of 1-15 respectively with the corresponding Hough unit score of 69.37%. To sum up, both study woredas and sex of chickens looks to approve the traits of indigenous chickens and egg quality traits under traditional managements system. Detailed Molecular characterizations is recommended to assess morphological traits of indigenous Chickens of the study woredas.