International Journal of
Livestock Production

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Livest. Prod.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2448
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJLP
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 290

Article in Press

Evaluation and Demonstration of Dual Purpose Chicken “Potchefstroom Koekoek” Technology Packages under small holder farmers in Central and North western Tigray Ethiopia

Bruh Weldemariam, Mearg Fitsum, Alemayohu Amare, Bahlbi Weldegebreal, Brhanu Haile

  •  Received: 15 April 2019
  •  Accepted: 31 July 2019
Introduction of Koekoek chicken was carried out at Adwa and MedabayZana districts in Tigray to evaluate its performance and promote the breed with full-fledged poultry packages. The areas were selected purposely to centre the two potential zones of the region. Each participant was given about 50 day old chicks along with starter feed, drinkers and feeders. Data on survival, productivity, costs and farmers’ perception were collected. Besides, field observation was used as a source of information to augment the report. Collected data were analysed and presented in tables and figures. The Koekoek chicken breed survived well up to 8weeks ages and mortality within this time recorded low. However, high mortality was observed at MedebayZana after this age due to negligence of some farmers. On the other side participants at GeterAdwa sold majority of the birds at the age of 8weeks. The breed performed differently according to management of farmers in the two locations as a result body weight at 7months, age to start egg laying and weekly egg production per hen were ranged 11029-1751.1g , 5-7months and 3.85-5 respectively. Some farmers showed problem on managing the birds, keeping records and executing the experiment. Farmers’ income increased due to the use of the package and Case studies showed that farmers fetched 2058-36775 Ethiopian birr within a year and many farmers own the breed through farmer to farmer egg exchange. Fear of disease and capacity to manage all birds were among the reasons forced them to sell early. They also suggested that the number of day old chicks per farmer must not be more than 30. From this we can conclude that the package needs revision and modification to suite with the farming condition and the producer’s capability.

Keywords: chickens, demonstration, mortality, production and technology