Abstract
Different breeds of exotic chickens were imported to Ethiopia with the aim of improving chicken productivity. Moreover, one way of improving low genetic potential of local chickens is crossbreeding programs of local chickens with exotic chicken breeds. For further improvement in production traits, understanding performance of economic traits in chicken is important for the formulation of breeding plans. Therefore, the objective of this review paper is to review egg and body weight performance of chickens in Ethiopia. Breed of chicken used, environmental conditions, and management practices are the main factor that affects chicken productivity. The average egg production and body weight performance of chickens is higher in exotic breed followed by cross and local ones. However, poor performance of exotic chickens is observed in situations where the breeds are poorly managed. The performance of crossbreds reduces gradually as the percent of genes goes beyond 50 but the management gets down. With regard to local ones, better management and proper breeding technique do have a chance for upgrading. Therefore, better management, proper breeding activities and regulatory laws should be imposed to enhance chicken productivities. Keywords: Egg, Body weight, Local, Exotic, Crossbreed, Chicken DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-8-03 Publication date : April 30 th 2019
Highlights
In Ethiopia, there are several exotic chickens like Rhodo Island Red, Australop, New Hampshire, White Leghorn introduced and disseminated since 1950’s
Most of the exotic chickens are not high yielding under village production system [4]
Crossbreeding was used as a way to improve performance of local chickens [5, 6]
Summary
In Ethiopia, there are several exotic chickens like Rhodo Island Red, Australop, New Hampshire, White Leghorn introduced and disseminated since 1950’s. The purpose of introducing these breeds is for the aim of improving local chicken’s productivity [1]. Most of the exotic chickens are not high yielding under village production system [4]. Crossbreeding was used as a way to improve performance of local chickens [5, 6]. Increasing productivity using this common approach is being reconsidered due to the fact that the exotic chickens are not productive under low in put conditions and place native breeds at risk of genetic dilution [4]. This review aims to review egg and body weight performance of chickens in Ethiopia
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