Production performance evaluation of Koekoek chickens at Adami Tulu research center

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the production performance of koekoek chickens at Adami Tulu Research Center. Feed consumption, age at point of laying, annual egg production, mortality, and egg quality parameters were used as evaluation parameters. Mean feed consumption of starter, grower and layer of koekoek chickens at Adami Tulu Research Center was 56.4±4.6, 84.3±6.3 and 124±8.6 g/day, respectively. Koekoek chickens attain sexual maturity at 5 months and produce 213± 12.4 eggs per year. Their hatchability was 60% and mortality rate was 4% at Adami Tulu Research center.  Their egg weight in gram (g) was 51.17±3.2.  The egg yolk color, yolk weight in gram (g), albumin weight in gram (g) were 5.08±0.91, 14.96±1.6 and 31.2±2.7, respectively. The current study revealed that koekoek chickens adapt well to semi-arid agro-ecology of Ethiopia. Koekoek chickens are fast growers and good layers. So day-old chicken producers and distributors in semi-arid area can consider them as candidate breeds in their production. These dual purpose breeds need good managements like quality feed provision, good sanitation and vaccine administration. Therefore livestock extensions and farmers who have interest in introducing these breeds into their farm should have to provide necessary management practices to fully utilize their production potential. Key words: Poultry breed, farming system, egg performance, mortality rate.