Assessing the Performance, Egg Quality, and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Chickens Reared Under Traditional Management System
Welelaw Edmew1, Aberra Melesse2*, Mohammed Beyan2, Mestawet Taye2
Citation : Welelaw Edmew,et.al, Assessing the Performance, Egg Quality, and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Chickens Reared Under Traditional Management System International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences 2018, 4(10) : 27-35
The study was conducted in three districts of Bench Maji Zone in Southwestern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing the production and egg quality traits of indigenous chickens reared under natural production environment. Two hundred seventy households were randomly selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. For the evaluation of egg quality traits, 450 fresh eggs were collected from indigenous chicken breeds while for the assessment of carcass, 45 representative indigenous male chickens were used. The results revealed that the flock size per household was 10.4 with 1:2.9 cocks to hen ratio. The average age of cockerel at first mating and pullet at first egg laying was 5.9 and 6.4 months, respectively. The average number of eggs per clutch and the annual egg production were 14.8 and 54.6, respectively. The mean number of eggs incubated by hens was 11.8 with 82.2% hatchability and 48.8% survivability rate. The average egg weight and shape index was 43.9 g and 72.7%, respectively. The average shell thickness was about 0.33 mm. The respective average albumen height and the Haugh unit score was 3.4 mm and 61.2. The average yolk height and yolk color were 14 mm and 10.9, respectively. The average slaughter weight of adult male chicken was about 1449 g. The dressed carcass yield was 966 g with 66.7% dressing percentage. The proportions of breast meat, thigh, drumsticks, and wing were 25.4%, 19.5%, 15.4% and 10.2%, respectively. The study revealed variations in different production, egg quality and carcass characteristics among the studied districts which might be due to management difference and genetic dissimilarities of indigenous chicken ecotypes that have to be exploited through improved management and breeding strategies. Further research is recommended to evaluate the performance, egg quality and carcass yield potentials of indigenous chickens of the districts under improved feeding and management systems.