Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 5(1), pp. 10-19. January, 2017.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2016.041

Full Length Research

Characterization of smallholder poultry production systems in Mezhenger, Sheka and Benchi -Maji zones of south western Ethiopia

Endale Yadessa¹, Dereje Tulu¹, Ararsa Bogale¹,Gezahegn Mengistu¹, Melkam Aleme¹, Samuel Shiferawu¹, Wendimeneh Esatu² and Alemayehu Amare².

¹Tepi Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box:34. Tepi, Ethiopia

²Debre Zait Agricultural Research Center, Bushoftu, Ethiopia

Accepted 12 December 2016

The study was conducted in Sheka and Benchi-Maji of SNNPR and Mezhenger zone of Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia to characterize poultry production systems, identify major constraints and opportunities in poultry production. From each zone two districts and from each district two kebeles were selected randomly based on poultry production experiences of the farmers and the potentiality of each kebeles. A total of 120 households were individually interviewed. The result of the study revealed that, the dominant flock structure of chicken in the study area was hens followed by chickens of 0-8 weeks of age. Most of the respondents in Mezhenger, Sheka and Benchi-Maji zones, practice scavenging and seasonal supplementation with cereals crops. June, July and August were classified as months of feed shortage whereas from November to April feed availability is sufficient to surplus. More than half (56.4%) of the respondents keeping the chicken in separate house away from human being. Almost all of the respondents were practice culling of their chickens mostly due to old age of the chicken, low production of egg, unwanted plumage color, disease problem and bad temperament. About 96% of the respondents reported that poultry diseases were one of the production constraints and the common poultry diseases in the study areas include Nucastle, Tekimat, gunfan and majirat kolmim. Therefore, appropriate intervention focusing on chicken management, breed improvement, chicken disease and predator control and providing extension services through training are highly recommended for the study areas for further improvement of the chicken production.

Key words: Characterization, Smallholder poultry production systems, SNNPRs


 

How to cite this article: Yadessa E, Tulu D, Bogale A, Mengistu G, Aleme M, Shiferawu S, Esatu W, Amare A (2017). Characterization of smallholder poultry production systems in Mezhenger, Sheka and Benchi -Maji zones of south western Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 5(1): 10-19

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