Review on Poultry Production System, Trends and Development Strategies in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has considerable livestock resource and poultry population is second ranked preceded by Cattle. Besides their important and numbers, little is known about their production systems, population growth, egg utilization trends and development strategies in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian poultry population is almost entirely composed of indigenous chicken and recent estimates showed that poultry 81.7%, 10.9%, and 7.4% are indigenous, hybrids and exotic, respectively. The distribution of poultry population in Ethiopia is diverging from region to region. Oromia region has the largest number of poultry population followed by Amhara, South Nation and Nationality People of Ethiopia (SNNP). Poultry production system in Ethiopia is indigenous and an integral part of farming system. Based on the objective, breed, flock size, housing, feeding, health, biosecurity level and technology used, the poultry production system in Ethiopia can be classified into extensive or scavenging, semi-intensive, small-scale intensive and large scale commercial poultry production system. The extensive scavenging and small-extensive scavenging systems are the dominant forms of poultry production in Ethiopia. The poultry population growth over the year almost stagnant because of high poultry mortality due to lack of adaptation of introduced exotic poultry, diseases, predators prevalent in the scavenging production systems and limited expansion of commercial poultry production both in terms of number of operators and volume of operation. The poultry sector did not have a clear roadmap guiding its development until the recent production of the LMP. The future study should be attention onto expansion of large scale commercial poultry production system, constraints of poultry population growth, adaption of introduced exotic poultry breeds and the reason for eggs sale and household consumption fluctuated.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus in Commercial and Backyard Chicken Production Systems in Central and South Ethiopia (First report) ILT in Ethiopian Poultry Production

This study was done with the objective of assessing the current poultry production system, feed resources and provides valuable information for researchers, producers, instructors and policy makers in Ethiopia. The review was done deeply with original research findings of different scholars working on poultry. This study revealed that there are three poultry production systems classified based on the input, flock size, health and bio-security measures (village poultry production, small scale and commercial production systems). The main poultry feed resources in the country are household wastes, cereal grains and their by-products, industrial by products, oil seed cakes and non-conventional feed resources. There is shortage of commercial feed resources and processing meals thought it is expensive. In conclusion, the most common production system practiced in the major farming community is the village production system with irregular supplementation of cereal grains Therefore, investors and government institutions should avail the concentrate feeds with affordable price to improve the production and productivity of poultry in Ethiopia.

1 - Overview of commercial poultry production systems and their main welfare challenges

A review was undertaken to obtain the related research results and facts on village/backyard/ poultry production systems in Ethiopia with the aim of bringing synthesized and summarized information to the beneficiaries. Poultry production has a major role in poverty alleviation by means of income generation and household food security. Village/backyard/ chicken production system is characterized by low input and output scavenging, with minimal investment in housing, feeding, watering, and chicken health management systems. The village chicken production system in Ethiopia is extensive and dominated by indigenous chickens that exhibit remarkable adaptation to local environments. Generally, it is concluded that the village/backyard/ chicken production system offers many people the opportunity to improve their livelihoods, suggesting that improvement of the chicken management system, breeding, production environment, farmers‟ access to inputs and markets needs to focus on the back yard chicken production system.

This review focused on the poultry production status, breed/ecotype characterization, genetic improvement trends and economic value of the poultry sector in Ethiopia. The poultry production system in Ethiopia can be classified into four categories, large scale commercial, medium scale commercial, small scale commercial and village or backyard commercial production system. Chickens play an important role in the human economy, supplying food, creating wealth through job creation for the booming population. About 78.85% of the Ethiopian poultry population consists of indigenous chickens, while the remaining 21.14% consists of exotic and hybrid breeds of chickens. The indigenous chickens of Ethiopia have various names and characterized based on their ecological or main habitat, depend on qualitative characteristics. The molecular characterizations of some Ethiopian indigenous chicken ecotype were conducted. The improvements of the productivity of indigenous chicken ecotype are mainly focused on the introduction of high yielding exotic chickens. Exotic chickens were first introduced into Ethiopia in 1953. The genetic improvement through introduction of exotic breeds was failed due to less adapted to local environment conditions, poor management; lack of input and output markets; and shortage of quality feeds, vaccines and veterinary inputs. Chickens are the backbone economy base of poor resource households in Ethiopia. The economic contribution of the poultry production sector is not still proportional to the huge chicken numbers, due to the presence of many productions, reproduction and infrastructural constraints. To use full potential of poultry sector, it requires the development of proper poultry breeding program and strategy. Keywords: breed, chicken, economy, exotic, genetic improvement, indigenous chicken, phenotypic characterization DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/109-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

The microbiome profiles of poultry production systems significantly impact bird health, welfare, and the environment. This study investigated the influence of broiler-rearing systems on the microbiome composition of commercial and backyard chicken farms and their environment over time. Understanding these effects is vital for optimizing animal growth, enhancing welfare, and addressing human and environmental health implications. We collected and analyzed various samples from commercial and backyard farms, revealing significant differences in microbial diversity measurements between the two systems. Backyard farms exhibited higher alpha diversity measurements in soil and water samples, while commercial farms showed higher values for litter and feeder samples. The differences in microbial diversity were also reflected in the relative abundance of various microbial taxa. In backyard farms, Proteobacteria levels increased over time, while Firmicutes levels decreased. Campilobacterota, including the major poultry foodborne pathogen Campylobacter, increased over time in commercial farm environments. Furthermore, Bacteroides, associated with improved growth performance in chickens, were more abundant in backyard farms. Conversely, pathogenic Acinetobacter was significantly higher in backyard chicken fecal and feeder swab samples. The presence of Brevibacterium and Brachybacterium, associated with low-performing broiler flocks, was significantly higher in commercial farm samples. The observed differences in microbial composition and diversity suggest that farm management practices and environmental conditions significantly affect poultry health and welfare and have potential implications for human and environmental health. Understanding these relationships can inform targeted interventions to optimize poultry production, improve animal welfare, and mitigate foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance risks. IMPORTANCE The microbiome of poultry production systems has garnered significant attention due to its implications on bird health, welfare, and overall performance. The present study investigates the impact of different broiler-rearing systems, namely, commercial (conventional) and backyard (non-conventional), on the microbiome profiles of chickens and their environment over time. Understanding the influence of these systems on microbiome composition is a critical aspect of the One-Health concept, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. Our findings demonstrate that the type of broiler production system significantly affects both the birds and their environment, with distinct microbial communities associated with each system. This study reveals the presence of specific microbial taxa that differ in abundance between commercial and backyard poultry farms, providing valuable insights into the management practices that may alter the microbiome in these settings. Furthermore, the dynamic changes in microbial composition over time observed in our study highlight the complex interplay between the poultry gut microbiome, environmental factors, and production systems. By identifying the key microbial players and their fluctuations in commercial and backyard broiler production systems, this research offers a foundation for developing targeted strategies to optimize bird health and welfare while minimizing the potential risks to human and environmental health. The results contribute to a growing body of knowledge in the field of poultry microbiome research and have the potential to guide future improvements in poultry production practices that promote a sustainable and healthy balance between the birds, their environment, and the microbial communities they host.

Commercial chicken production for the supply of meat and eggs has expanded in the scale and variety of production systems in use to facilitate the supply of a range of cost-effective products in response to consumer demand. In the egg sector, traditional cage systems were required to be replaced in the EU by 2012, and most of this production capacity has been replaced by colony cage systems, which provide more space, perching, and environmental enrichment. In some countries there is significant production of “cage-free” or “barn” eggs in which the birds remain housed, but have access to litter. In the UK most egg production is now free-range. Meat poultry is produced in “barn” systems with various enrichments and some free-range. The rise in free-range production has seen the return of some diseases. Biosecurity is a critical tool for disease control in all production systems, particularly when disease challenge is high or farms are in a high poultry density area. An infectious dose of a pathogen is important in determining outcomes in terms of health and productivity, so biosecurity, hygiene, and good management are important across many diseases. Infections which are notifiable, of zoonotic importance and those which are sporadic or endemic in commercial poultry production are reviewed. General principles of preventative medicine applicable to the control of infectious diseases in different poultry production systems are proposed in areas such as biosecurity, system design and maintenance, range, and vaccination, though good management is always important.

An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications

4 Abstract: Poultry raising in Vietnam is widespread and common to smallholder farmers that keep chickens and ducks as a source of cheap animal protein and to derive income from the sale of eggs, meat and live birds. Three systems of poultry production are described: 1) traditional, extensive backyard/household poultry production, 2) semi-intensive, small to medium scale, market-oriented, commercial poultry production and 3) intensive, large scale, industrial poultry production.

The aim of this paper is to review the current status of poultry production and its future prospects in Bangladesh, covering both rural and commercial poultry production. As an important sub-sector of livestock production, the poultry industry in Bangladesh plays a crucial role in economic growth and simultaneously creates numerous employment opportunities. The poultry industry, as a fundamental part of animal production, is committed to supplying the nation with a cheap source of good quality nutritious animal protein in terms of meat and eggs. Two main systems of poultry production are common in Bangladesh nowadays: commercial poultry production – where birds are kept in total confinement, and traditional scavenging or semi-scavenging poultry production. Approximately 20% of the protein consumed in Bangladesh originates from poultry. With the exception the dip in production due to the recent Avian Influenza outbreak, the growth of this industry in terms of standards of commercialization, is very rapid. A gap still exists between the requirement and supply of poultry meat and eggs within the recent frame-work of the informal marketing system that is currently used. Among poultry species, the chicken population is dominant over others, at almost 90%, followed by ducks (8%) and a small number of quail, pigeons and geese. Free range ‘backyard’ and scavenging poultry, that are traditionally reared by rural women and children, still play an important role in generating family income, in addition to improving the family's diet with eggs and meat. Productive and reproductive performance of indigenous birds is relatively very low (35–40 eggs and 1–1.5 kg meat per bird per year), but genetic improvements by selective breeding, along with adequate nutrition and proper management, looks promising and quite possible. Commercial poultry production in Bangladesh, is conducted on an industrial scale and is growing tremendously in spite of recent difficulties but is expected to make a significant contribution to the economic development of the country. A national poultry policy is expected to be approved by the government shortly, which, when implemented, will improve the organization of production and marketing, allowing increased stability and security of output throughout the year. In addition, efforts should be taken to ensure safety standards of poultry meat and eggs for human consumption. Experts from the government, research institutes, universities, NGOs and other relevant sectors need to work in a collaborative manner in order to allow sustainable production and fight challenges jointly when they appear from time to time. Corresponding attention to research and development will allow the poultry sector to flourish in Bangladesh. As government funding is limited, industrialists need to come forward either to establish their respective research facilities or to provide funds to universities and research institutes in order to undertake research works of national and international importance.

SUMMARY With the ever-increasing world population, there is a need for the agri-food industry to adopt sustainable practices with a reduced environmental footprint. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an established methodology to determine and evaluate the environmental impacts of production activities (commodity or service) on human health, ecosystem quality, global warming, resources and water with the ultimate goal of eliminating or decreasing those undesired impacts. Over the past decade, the LCA method has been vastly applied to estimate the environmental loads in various industries, including agri-food, to evaluate all stages of activities, such as extraction, production, transportation, consumption, recycling and reuse. The present work aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts in enhancing the efficiency of agri-food production systems by reviewing the environmental impacts in the commercial poultry industry using the LCA methodology. Our focus is on assessing the environmental impact of meat and egg production across different commercial poultry species, specifically chicken, ostrich and turkey, as well as poultry egg production systems. The findings underscore the considerable role of inputs such as feed and energy, as well as farming processes, in the environmental footprint of commercial poultry systems. To improve sustainability, stakeholders must prioritise enhancing feed and energy efficiency while reducing farm emissions. Future trends and potential applications of LCA are also discussed to advance sustainable practices within poultry production systems. The outcome of the present study provides valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders seeking to reduce the environmental footprint of poultry production. By integrating LCA methodologies across all production stages, informed choices can be made to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agri-food production systems.

Chickens are widely kept and make up the largest share in terms of numbers compared to other farm animal genetic resources. The total number of poultry in Ethiopia is estimated to be more than 60.04 million, but its production and productivity are limited. Therefore, this review aims to analyze and summarize data on Ethiopia’s poultry production and marketing system for future improvement. The majority of the Ethiopian poultry farming system was extensive or traditional, with little supplementary feeding practice. Local chickens produce 18 to 60 eggs/year/hen, while exotic breeds produce an average of 250 eggs/year/hen with an average weight of 60 grams of eggs. Chickens and their products are used for income, home expenditure, and consumption. Extension service for the improvement of livestock production in general and poultry production, in particular, found to be weak. There was a higher price of chicken and eggs during the festival than other times. The major problems in poultry production in the country are disease and lack of animal health services, predators, shortage of supplementary feed, and lack of improved poultry housing systems. A better understanding of those constraints and worthy prospects about village chicken production and marketing is an important aspect of improving chicken production.

A review was undertaken to obtain the related research results and facts on production, husbandry and sustainability of free-range poultry production systems in Ethiopia with the aim of delivering synthesized and summarized information to the beneficiaries. Poultry production has a major role in poverty alleviation by means of income generation and household food security. Free-range chicken production is characterized by low input and output scavenging, with minimal investment in housing, feeding, watering and health care, and hence weak biosecurity, high off take rates and high mortality rates. The production system in Ethiopia is extensive and dominated by indigenous chickens that exhibit remarkable adaptation to local environments. Generally, it is concluded that, the free-range chicken production system offers many people the opportunity to improve their livelihoods, suggesting that improvement of chicken breeding, production environment, farmers’ access to inputs and markets needs to focus on the free-range chicken production system.

Poultry production is a sector of livestock production to gain meat, egg, and other products from domesticated bird species, including chickens, ostriches, turkeys, ducks, and guinea fowls. Poultry production is different from country to country due to different economic activities, environmental situations, and cultural aspects of society. With this in mind, the current study aimed to review the literature to explore the current status of poultry production, highlight the constraints in poultry production, and predict the future of poultry production. In many societies, poultry plays an important socio-cultural role. Diseases, market problems, feed resources, lack of proper housing, predators, as well as social and cultural constraints are all obstacles to the future growth of the poultry industry. Despite the presence of a large chicken population in Ethiopia, contribution to the national economy or benefit exploited is very limited due to diseases, predators, and veterinary services. The main diseases affecting the chickens in Ethiopia include viral disease (Newcastle disease), gastrointestinal parasites, ectoparasites, aspergillosis, and different bacterial infections due to lack of biosecurity. In addition, chicken predators affecting poultry production in Ethiopia are wild mammals locally called ama, cats, and birds (vultures). However, the poultry production system has a bright future since different local and international humanitarian organizations have recognized that addressing this sector will benefit the poorest and most disadvantaged people in developing nations. With the need to increase animal protein sources in the world, there is general agreement that these areas are going to witness further expansion in the current decades. Therefore, it is recommended to increase productivity through improvements in health, management, and control of predators.