Consumer Preferences, Prices, Health Statuses and Weights of Chickens Marketed in Major Towns of Tigray-Ethiopia

Abstract

As there was no scientific information and data regarding consumer preferences, price, health status and market weights of chickens market in Tigray, Ethiopia, the research project was conducted with the objectives of obtaining scientific information and data on chicken market information (consumers’ preferences, price, weights, health condition) in five marketplaces. To achieve the objectives, questionnaire survey, observational survey and recoding of weights were employed. Accordingly, the survey revealed that red plumage color chickens (78.3%) which are in the age group of 6-12 months age (54.5%) and local breeds (75.7%) were found to be most preferable in market. Considering consumers’ preference to comb type, it was reported that double comb is preferred to single comb (63.5%). Regarding chicken health status, 52.3% and 92.8% respondents said that they do not know any diseases that affect chicken and being transmitted from chicken to man, respectively. On the other hand, sick (63.1%) and dead chickens (55.9) were reported to be seen in marketplaces. As to chicken prices, 94.6% of respondents indicated that during holiday, chicken prices get increased significantly comparing with fasting and non-fasting periods and the overall mean prices were calculated to be 118.13 Birr/chicken. The mean price of chickens was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in holiday period as compared to that of fasting and non-fasting periods. Mean chicken price was found to be significantly (P<0.05) lower and higher in Alamata and Adwa marketplaces, respectively. The overall mean weights of chickens was calculated to be 1.43 kg and considering the comparisons of weights of chickens marketed in the three periods and the five marketplaces, it was reported that chickens marketed in Alamata and Shire marketplaces are heavier and smaller than the chickens marketed in the rest marketplaces, respectively. It can be concluded that the chicken marketing practices is traditional where chickens are marketed informally with lack of health checkup, not consumers’ preference oriented, quality oriented. Therefore, the chicken breeding programs as well as production system should address the preference of the consumers, standards on market ages and weights should be introduced.