Demonstration and Performance Evaluation of Dual Purpose "Potchefstroom koekoek" Chickens Under Farmers’ Management Conditions in the High Land Areas of Arsi zone, Oromiya Region

Abstract

The study was conducted to demonstrate and evaluate performance of dual purpose Potchefstroom koekoek chicken with full package under farmers’ management system in the highland areas of Arsi zone, Oromia Region.A total of 18  farmers were selected purposively based on previous experience in poultry rearing, willingness to construct or modify poultry house, access to market and research input availability. Training was given on all chicken management aspects. A total of 55 day-old chickens with other packages were delivered to each participant farmer in Tiyo and Sagure. Data was collected starting from day one following chicken delivery up to start of the first egg lay and continued until 72 week of age. The current study revealed that on average 9.4% and 5.8% of mortality was recorded per participant farmer up to eight weeks of age at Sagure and Tiyo District respectively. 202.3 days (6.7month) and 1.46 kg body weight was recorded on average for first egg lay. The daily percentage of hen- housed egg production per participant farmers was 41.7% at 50 %( 32week) and 69.7% at 52weeks of age with average egg weight of 49.8g and 51.7g respectively. Per participant farmer, on average 1244 birr was expended for purchase inputs and 5500.33 birr was gained from sale of egg, cockerels and replacement chickens as net income. The farmers became aware of the importance of the breed that adapted well under the existing farmers' management condition and performed better than indigenous breeds for egg and meat production.

Keywords:  koekoek chickens, demonstration, on farm evaluation, mortality

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-1-04

Publication date: January 31^st 2021