Comparative production performance of two exotic chicken breeds under two different feed regimes in three agro-ecologies of central Oromia, Ethiopia - a step forward for distribution or contract rearing of day old exotic chicks under rural setting

Introduction

Ethiopia is blessed in indigenous chicken resources (Tadelle 2003; Reta 2009). They play a critical role in providing economic, social and nutritional benefits to their owners without or with little input supply in the village smallholder scavenging system (Reta 2009). However, they largely differ in production, health and reproductive performances (Reta 2009) and also constrained by feed and disease crisis as well as predators and inadequate housing (Tadelle and Ogle 2001; Halima et al 2007; Reta, 2009). Newcastle disease (ND) under scavenging system is the major devastating disease (Tadelle and Ogle 2001; Halima et al 2007) while Marek’s disease is responsible under confinement (Reta et al 2005; 2006a and b).  

The indigenous chickens have many conserved traits and advantages to thrive under scavenging system (Reta, 2006; Reta 2009). Yet they are blamed to be low producer of egg and meat compared to exotic chickens (Teketel 1986; Solomon 2003). Their comparative performance with the White Leghorn at on station under full package management indicates that the indigenous chickens achieve less than 70% of the total egg production and 85% of the mature body size of the Leghorns (Teketel 1986; Solomon 2003). This suggests that even under improved management the unimproved indigenous chickens do not compete successfully with improved exotic breeds, as far as performance is concerned. 

Thus, indigenous chickens are enormous within Ethiopian chicken population. They constitute 99% of the 58 million (Alamrgot 1987), however over 20 years time their number and share decreased to 95% of the 42.5 million (Wilson, 2010). Notwithstanding to their number, they do not satisfy the national demand for chicken meat and egg. To narrow this gap, exotic chicken extension has been practiced to rural setting of the country since 1950s (Alemu and Tadelle 1997). In the past White Leghorn, Brown Leghorn, New Hampshire, Light Sussex and Barred Rock were evaluated for egg production (Wilson 2010). The past genetic improvement efforts of the Ethiopian village chicken via exotic chicken extension was constrained by lack of comprehensive poultry technology package extension to the end users (Tekle-wold et al 2006; Reta 2009). The impact of thus far extension effort couldn’t change livelihood and meet the national poultry products demand of a human population that is growing at a rate of 2.9% annually (Alemu 1995; Mebratu 1997).  

It is imperative that an alternative strategy should be designed for extension service. Currently, one of the extension options to attempt is the use of full packages jointly with improved exotic breeds that are better in terms of productivity, adaptability and disease resistance. Wilson (2010) reported that the Extension Department of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of Ethiopia has shown more preference and interest in the use of the Rhode Island Red (RIR) breed that could serve as a dual-purpose for egg and meat. Additionally, Fayoumi breed has been imported with the expectation of better productivity, adaptation and disease resistance than the other exotic breeds in rural setting of Ethiopia. However, the performance of these breeds, particularly Fayoumi, under village conditions has not been studied. In the past decades single technology (i.e. only breed) extension to end users resulted in unsuccessful efforts to change livelihood.  

The lessons learnt from these efforts indicated that shifting from single to multiple or full-package technology transfer seems more successful. The transfer of multiple technologies together with exotic breed rather than transferring exotic chicken breed alone should be tested as a pilot work before launching the full-package technology transfer at a larger-scale. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the comparative production performance of ND vaccinated RIR and Fayoumi chickens since day-old under two different feed regimes in village conditions of three agro-ecologies of central Oromia in order to develop a suitable breed and management packages for full-package technology transfer at a larger-scale. 

Materials and Methods

Study area 

Four Districts in central Oromia Regional State were selected representing three agro-ecologies, namely lowland represented by Adama and Boset Districts, mid altitude by Kondaltiti (Tiya) District and highland by Wonchi District. Adama and Boset Districts are located within the Great Rift Valley. Their climate is hot and dry and receives mean annual rainfall of 600mm that is variable unpredicted low rainfall from year to year. The mean annual temperature is higher about 26^oC, relative humidity is between 50-80% and the soil type is light and sandy soil. The Tiya District has a 94% mid sub-tropical weather and 6% highland (temperate) climate. Its mean annual temperature and rainfall ranges between 15⁰C to 21⁰C and 800mm to 1199mm, respectively. 

Site and farmer selection in collaboration 

Orientation about the objectives and goals of the study was given to the MoA, World Vision Ethiopia (NGOs) and farmers to reach on consensus and get willingness to implement the project. The selection criteria among willing farmers were based on their access to input supplies, market outlets and potential of surplus grain production. Resource poor and business oriented farmers organized by the respective MoA and the World Vision Ethiopia were selected. Finally, across the 4 study Districts (Adama, Boset, Tiya, Wonchi) a total of 16 households (4 farmers per District) were selected for the study to adopt and implement the technology.  

Training 

A total of 44 participants were trained at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center (DZARC). The composition of the trainees were 16 participant farmers, 20 development agents/community workers, 4 subject matter specialists of the respective MoA and 4 experts of from World Vision Ethiopia. The NGO was involved to gain experience and lesson in order to involve in the poultry technology transfer activity in the future.The training had theoretical and practical session. The theoretical training focused on general aspects of poultry production, management, feeding, health care, record keeping and management of the current trial. The practical training (- by doing) was given on construction of hay box brooders and poultry houses, feeds and feed processing/preparation, feeding and managing different classes of chicken, vaccinating chicks and data recording. Handouts and a manual on poultry production were given to each trainee for future reference.  

Construction of hay box brooders, poultry houses, feeding and watering troughs 

Each participant farmer constructed hay-box brooders to brood day-old chicks and poultry houses according to the experience gained during the training at the DZARC. The houses were constructed using mud blocks in Adama and Bosset, and wood in Tiya and at Wonchi District 90% of the houses were iron roofed while the rest used grass. Each farmer constructed feeders and waterers from different materials available in their locality.  

The types of extension packages transferred and study design 

Two types of feeding strategies and two chicken breeds were planned to be evaluated in presence of hay-box chick brooder and Newcastle disease vaccination. The two feed strategies were (1) non-formulated ration and (2) formulated ration. The non-formulated ration was comprised of equal proportions of maize and noug cake (energy and protein sources) supplied regularly from DZARC poultry research farm to be mixed with lime stone, grits and green leaves supplied from the farms by the farmers. The formulated ration was a balanced ration processed and supplied regularly by DZARC poultry research. The two types of chicken breeds tested were (1) Fayoumi and (2) Rhode Island Red (RIR). In each District for each household Newcastle disease vaccinated 130 (i.e. 60 RIR and 70 Fayoumi) day-old chicks were distributed randomly. The chicks were heated until their feathers grow (8 weeks) using hay-box brooder while they were in the constructed house (i.e. in-door type of farming). Each participant farmer divided each chicken breed into two equal numbers to allow 35 Fayoumi and 30 RIR to feed on formulated ration while 35 Fayoumi and 30 RIR to feed on non-formulated ration. The constructed chicken house by each household was partitioned into two to rear chicks that feed on formulated and non-formulated ration separately. The overall study combination layout was designed according to Table 1. 

Data collection 

Farmers trained and supplied with a weighing balance to measure the daily feed supply, intake and leftover as well as the weekly body weight of the chicks. Daily mortality of chicks was recorded by households. The weight measurements and chicken mortality were further checked by weekly weight measurement and chicks number inventory by the researchers and experts from District MoA and NGOs. 

Data analysis 

The collected data was entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet. The amount of feed supplied and leftover were measured to assess the amount of feed intake. The mean feed intake of the two chicken breeds for the two types of feed regimes was compared and analysed using SPSS statistical software version 14 by GLM model at different Districts (agro-ecologies) for significance of mean difference. The mean weight change and gain of the chicken breeds was also compared using GLM model for significance of mean difference. Mortality rate of the two chicken breeds that kept under the two feed types and 4 Districts (agro-ecologies) was compared using Chi-square. The confidence interval was set at 95% and for significant difference a = 5%.

Results

Daily Feed intake and weekly Feed intake (g/bird) 

Daily feed intake varied significantly between the two breeds. However, there was no variation in daily intake due to the type of diet offered. Weekly feed intake was significantly affected by type of breed. However, weekly feed intake was not affected whether birds were offered a formulated or non-formulated ration (Table 2). 

Daily weight gain (g/bird)  

Both breed and type of diet offered had highly significant effects on growth rate. The RIR chickens showed faster rate of growth compared to the Fayoumi. On the other hand, both of the breeds feeding on the formulated ration had superior growth performance compared to those on non-formulated ration (Table 3). Daily weight gain was also affected by breed X diet interaction. Although both breeds showed improved growth performance when offered formulated ration, the difference was statistically significant only for the RIR chickens. 

Cumulative body weight change  

There were highly significant variations in weight change as a result of breed and type of diet offered. The interaction between breed and diet was also found to be significant though at a slightly lower level. Compared to the RIR, despite slight increases in weight, growth performance of the Fayoumi didn’t increase significantly as a result of feeding formulated ration (Table 4). 

Comparative mortality rate of two chicken breeds feeding two different rations 

More than two fold rate of mortality occurred for RIR compared to Fayoumi breed. A very high level of mortality occurred in both breeds reared on non formulated rations as shown in Table 5. 

Effect of feed types on chicken mortality at different locations  

A very high level of mortality across the four Districts appeared in the chickens that fed on non-formulated rations. It indicated that feeding of the chickens a formulated balanced feed can reduce chicken mortality in all the agro-ecologies (Districts) significantly (P= 0.00612) (Figure 1). 

Effect of breed on chicken mortality rate at different locations 

Mortality rate of RIR chickens was more than double of the Fayoumi breed (Figure. 2).

Survival of chicken to 16 weeks of age 

Survival of both breeds of chickens in villages of Tiya and Wonchi weredas was indicated in Figure 3. The RIR breed had higher rates of mortality (18.6- 25.4%) compared to the Fayoumi in both sites. About a quarter of the RIR chickens died at the grower stage in the 16^th week of age.  Survival of the Fayoumi chickens under on-farm conditions is quite remarkable. 

Farmers’ evaluation of the activity 

Farmer to farmer visit was arranged at the end of chick rearing period. Farmers from each District traveled to the other District and also visited other farmer’s farm within the same District. They actively commented and learned from the strengths and weaknesses of each other which were found to be more educative. The farmers exchanged designs of house, brooder and poultry equipment. They commented on the need to establish a stronger, regular veterinary support services to ensure their sustainable engagement in poultry production. The farmers appreciated differences in breed and feed effects on animal performance and developed confidences to get and rear day old improved chicks in larger numbers.

Discussion

Selecting the appropriate chicken breed to Ethiopian context and the right feeding management is crucial to realize success in adopting improved poultry production for food self-sufficiency. This project witnessed a considerable success in terms of performance of packages besides appraising the performance of alternative feeding systems and chicken breeds. Farmers were capable of constructing brooders, poultry houses and equipment, and displayed remarkable skills of husbandry and management.

In the current study the feed intake of each bird per day during 0-8 weeks of age was higher for RIR than for Fayoumi. Both breeds had higher feed intake than the reports of the indigenous chicken that reared under in-door farming. In this line the experimental on-station performance in feed intake (FI /bird/day, g) during 0-6 week was 15.2, 20.9, 15.9, 10.4 and 13.6g for Tilili, Horro, Chefe, Jarso and Tepi chicken ecotypes, respectively. Both exotic breeds had higher growth rate than the reports of the Ethiopian indigenous chicken reared under experimental on-station as reviewed by Reta (2009). Similarly, exotic (White Leghorn) chickens are reported to have consumed more feed.  They were also more responsive to supplementation even under scavenging condition when compared to local chickens that kept under intensive condition in mean daily weight gain (Solomon 2003).

Body weight of Fayoumi was lower than RIR in current study. Huque (1999) found similar results of lowest body weight in NN x Fayoumi compared with that of NN x NN, NN x RIR, NN x WLH, RIR x RIR, WLH x WLH, and Fayoumi x Fayoumi at the age of the first egg in a scavenging system. Variation in size is highly genetically determined which underlines the findings of many authors to the effect that body size has a high heredity ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 (Nordskog and Briggs 1967).  Estimates of direct heritability of growth traits i.e. weekly body weight (BW) for Ethiopian indigenous chicken (Horro chicken ecotype) ranged from 0.15 (BW6) to 0.4 (BW0) (Dana et al 2011) indicating body weight of a chicken is moderately dependent on genetics of the chicken. They also indicated that body weight and egg production were correlated. On the other hand, it indicates body weight is improved by improving the environment such as via improved feed feeding. In the current study body weight, gain and changes in body weight daily and weekly varied with varying the breed and the feed type. Thus, it was in agreement with the report of elsewhere in that cross-breeding with improved breeds and provision of supplementary feed significantly improve body weight in chicken (Ahmed and Islam 1985)

In this study mortality of the chickens up to 8 weeks of age ranged from 4.3 to 15.3% for RIR and from 4.3 to 5.7% for Fayoumi though it varied from location to location within the above indicated range. This mortality rate appeared to be very low compared to the report that 60% of the chicks hatched in the rural areas of Ethiopia die during the first 8 weeks of age due to unsuccessful brooding of the scavenging indigenous hen and ND outbreak (Tadelle 1996; Tadelle and Ogle 2001; Reta 2009). It was also lower than the mortality rate of indigenous chickens under in-door farming in that mortality rate during the 0-8 weeks of age was 59.9, 26.6, 37.2, 25.3, 27.4 and 6.2% for Jarso, Konso, Tepi, Horro, Tilili and Fayoumi, respectively (Reta et al 2005; Reta et al 2006a & b; Reta 2009). The mortality figure in the current study was also lower than the F1 crosses of Fayoumi and RIR versus the local chickens that conducted on-station under confined condition in Southern Ethiopia (Fassil et al 2010). The mortality rate in that study was 19% in Fayoumi X Naked neck F1 local cross and the 18% in RIR X White plumage F1 local chickens up to 8 weeks of age as well as 9% Fayoumi X Naked neck F1 local cross and the 40% in RIR X White plumage F1 local chickens between the age of 4 to 12 months (Fassil et al 2010).

In this study the intervention on day-old Fayoumi and RIR chickens under the village condition using ND vaccination, feed supplementation, housing and day-old chick brooding by hay-box brooder improved survival rate and flock number. It agreed with the simulated village chicken flock dynamic model developed by Udo et al (2006) that indicated intervention in the area of housing, ND vaccination, supplementary feeding improved village chick survival and flock size in rural chicken systems.

Conclusions

• Differences are documented in survival, growth rate and feed consumption between Fayoumi and RIR chickens. The Fayoumi breed seems to survive and also to utilize the sub-optimal feed resources than the RIR chickens. Local feed prepared by farmers is found to be useful, sustainable, feasible, accessible and most practical than commercial feed in village chickens. According to this study it is possible to promote distribution of day-old chicks of Fayoumi and RIR to rural farmers being accompanied with training and some feed and health packages. Such scheme of day-old chicken distribution with some packages guarantees poultry extension institutes to reach larger numbers of village beneficiaries, avoids the cost of rearing chicks up to pullets by multiplication and breeding centers, and also creates opportunities to integrate contract day-old chick producer arrangements in rural farmers to support the poultry extension service.

  
  

• Therefore, based on the above findings the locally mixed feed ingredients and vaccination against Newcastle disease should be incorporated as a package in to improved day-old chickens extension during their distribution to rural villages. We also recommend the current pilot work scheme in this study or its modification for a scaling-up by MoA and NGOs to implement in a wider area in rural villages of Ethiopia.

Acknowledgements

World Vision Ethiopia and Institute of Ethiopian Agricultural Research supported this project financially. We appreciate the staff of DZARC and MoA at each District.

References

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Received 30 December 2011; Accepted 24 July 2012; Published 3 September 2012

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