On-farm phenotypic characterization of indigenous chicken populations and their productive and reproductive performances in central Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Gibe and Ameka districts of Hadiya Zone to characterize and describe indigenous chicken populations and their production systems and, to determine the productive and reproductive performance of indigenous chicken populations. A total of 351 respondents from purposively identified districts were randomized to gather the information through semi-structured questionnaires. Phenotypic data were collected from a total of 224 (33 male and 191 female) matured indigenous chickens. The morphometric traits recorded were body weight, body length, breast circumference, wingspan, shank length, shank circumference, comb length, wattle length, earlobe length and beak length. Among the analyzed morphometric traits, the significant (p<0.05) difference in districts for both sexes of chickens was only body weight, but female chickens significantly (p<0.05) different for breast circumference, shank length, shank circumference, wattle length, wing span and comb length in the studied districts. Others analyzed phenotypic trait were comb type, plumage color, ear lope color, feather morphology and distribution, spurs, shank color, feather on shark, plumage pattern, eye color and skin color. The results showed that mean flock size of the study area was 9.63 chicken/household of which 44, 14, 12, 6 and 14% of the total indigenous chicken population structure were chicks, pullets, cockerels, cocks and hens chicken respectively. Reproductive traits showed significant difference (p<0.05) between Gibe and Ameka districts. Disease, lack of knowledge, predators and feed were the major chicken production constraints in studied area area. The variations in chickens for different sites and sexes considered as opportunities for selection and genetic improvement of indigenous chicken. .