Abstract
The research was carried out in three purposively selected districts namely Digalu-Tijo from Arsi, Asasa and Adaba from west Arsi zones with objectives of transferring and popularizing hay-box chick brooding technology to farmers, and enhancing linkage between research, extension and farmers in the study areas. From these districts six peasant associations were purposively selected based on their accessibility from list of peasant associations. Then, a total of six groups one at each peasant associations which have an average of twenty members of farmers composed of male, female and youth were organized to undertake demonstration and popularization of hay-box chick brooder. A total of 92 farmers of which 54.36% were female farmers have attended the training. From each farmers research extension group one trial farmer was selected and a brooder having capacity of twenty chicks was given with twenty chicks bought from commercial firms in Bishoftu each including feeds that can serve for three months. Out of the total 121 chicks distributed to farmers only five died and around 96% grown up to layer stage which is six months of age. Mini-field-days where organized to share experiences and knowledge and all the farmers who attended the demonstration understood the double advantages of this technology reducing number of chicks died because of predator and save time that the broody hens spent to rear chicks. Keywords : Hay Box Chick Brooder, Demonstration, Popularization, Training DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-2-05 Publication date: January 31 st 2021
Highlights
Poultry production is an important economic activity in Ethiopia
According to Tadelle and Ogle (2001), more than ninety five percent of the poultry in rural Ethiopia, baby chicks are raised by broody hen, since it is difficult to adopt artificial brooders by household poultry keeprs
The premature chicks may die due to birds of prey, pets and some wild animals. on the other hand if the hatched chicks are raised by artificial brooder, the broody hen will back to laying of eggs with short period of time and its productivity will increase and the chicks will be more safer than natural brooding (The Ethiopian Sub-Sector Review 4, 1884; Hoyle, 1992 and CSA, 1985-1996)
Summary
Poultry production is an important economic activity in Ethiopia. Beside its social and cultural benefits it plays a significant role in family nutrition. According to Tadelle and Ogle (2001), more than ninety five percent of the poultry in rural Ethiopia, baby chicks are raised by broody hen, since it is difficult to adopt artificial brooders by household poultry keeprs. About 60 % of the chicks hatched in the rural area of Ethiopia die during the first eight weeks of their life. In rural part of the country, a broody hen raises on an average of 2.8 chicks and it took her around 81 days to do so after hatching. On the other hand if the hatched chicks are raised by artificial brooder, the broody hen will back to laying of eggs with short period of time and its productivity will increase and the chicks will be more safer than natural brooding (The Ethiopian Sub-Sector Review 4, 1884; Hoyle, 1992 and CSA, 1985-1996) The premature chicks may die due to birds of prey, pets and some wild animals. on the other hand if the hatched chicks are raised by artificial brooder, the broody hen will back to laying of eggs with short period of time and its productivity will increase and the chicks will be more safer than natural brooding (The Ethiopian Sub-Sector Review 4, 1884; Hoyle, 1992 and CSA, 1985-1996)
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