Opportunities and challenges of indigenous chicken in Asella district, Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: implications for designing improved productivity schemes

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess production constraint and marketing system of indigenous chickens from November 2016 to May 2017 in Asella district, East Arsi zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 120 respondents were included in (the study from four purposively selected kebeles kebele 12, kebele 13, konicha and tullukuche). The critical production constraints were disease (39.2%), predators (25.8%), poor management (21.7%) and lack of feed (11.7%). Newcastle Disease (locally called “fengil”) was the major health constraint. This study revealed that there was a high amount of robbery in the town with 33% and also wildcat 29.2%. Majority of the respondent use separate house construction 45.8% and different shelter for night enclosure 27.5% as well as share the same room with family 26.7%. Even if there were veterinary clinic in the area 59.2% the respondent bought a drug from private drug store 71.7% and also use a traditional medicine 45% that are given or administered in their own 67.5%, though most of reatment are not effective 63.3%. majority of respondent in the study area bought their chicken at September-December (51.7%) from market (59.2%) with a common transporting material in the area, zenbil (50%) and sold during religious celebration (66.7%) directly to consumer (66.7%) with great preference for plumage color (white 40.8% and red 35.8%). Therefore, efforts have to be made to improve the productivity of indigenous chickens in sustainable way as well as provide extension service to create awareness for vaccination and treatment of their chicken.