enotypic Characterization and Their Managemental System of Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes in Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in three districts of Awi zone in Amhara region, with the aim to characterize andidentify the phenotypic variation and their managemental system of indigenous chicken Ecotypes in Faggeta lekoma, Dangila and Zigom district. The study was included questionnaire, linear measurement and a participatory group discussion. The total of 180 households were participated in the interviews, which was conducted using a structured questionnaire and for phenotypic characterization of (720) seven hundred twenty indigenous chicken (504) female and 216 male from the whole districts) to describe qualitative and quantitative traits. The data was analyzed based on the information that was obtained primary data sources by using SAS version 9.3 (2014) and SPSS. The study finding exposed that indigenous chicken rearing seems to be an important activity with an average flock size9.80, 9.10 and 10.20birds per household in high-land, mid-land and low-land agro-ecology respectively. In this result the Scavenging was the major feeding system in all districts. About 85%, 93.33% and 78.33% of the respondents in high-land, mid-land and low-land agro-ecologies were practiced scavenging with supplementary feeds. The standard age of cockerels at first mating and pullets at first egg laying were 5.21 months and 5.77 months, respectively. About 74.4% of the respondents select eggs for incubation, straw and dry hay were commonly used as bedding material for incubation. About 96.7% of the respondent use broody hens for incubation and rearing chicks. The results of the rankings had shown that diseases outbreaks mainly Newcastle (locally called wotetie) disease and together with predators were the major and economically important constraint for the existing chicken rearing system. In this result the main breeding objectives of the respondents were meant for household consumption, income generation and for replacement of the flock. The selection criteria used for selection of breeding cock were: disease resistance, growth rate, Comb type, fighting ability, plumage colour, fertility and temperament with an average index value of 0.292, 0.197, 0.123, 0.075, 0.176, 0.100 and 0.037. The highest selection criteria used for selection of breeding hens were also egg number& egg size, growth rate, hatchability, mothering ability, brooding, disease, plumage colour, good scavenging and fighting ability with an index value of 0.367, 0.151, 0.056, 0.045, 0.074, 0.108, 0.087, 0.062 and 0.047, respectively. Local chicken were mostly normally feathered and large phenotypic variability among ecotypes was observed for plumage color. A many plumage colors were identified in all districts in which Red in high-land and mid-land and Gebsima (grayish) colours in low-land were the predominant color of the study area beside a large diversity. The average body weight of local chickens in high-land, mid-land and low-land AEGs were 1.476, 1.75 and 1.71kg respectively, while the respective values for mature cocks and hens were 1.78 and 1.51kg. Variations were also observed in shank length, chest circumference, body length, neck length, wingspan, wing length, comb width, comb length and shank circumference. In conclusion, there is diversity of indigenous chicken population and farmers’ preference of different traits that may invite to design community based genetic improvement. These were recommended in poultry breeding policy which focused on managemental system, selection, and trait preference should be designed.