Experiences in Hybrid Chicken Scaling up in East and Central Shewa

Abstract

Poultry is an important source of food and income. In Ethiopia, poultry production appears to be the most suitable and practical intervention to improve the livelihood of the poor. However, poultry production system is characterized by the production of a small number of low yielding local chickens (yielding 30 to 80 eggs hen-1 year-1), a flock size of 5 to 6 per family, and little or no additional inputs except shelter in the house at night (Mebratu, 1997; Taddele, 1996). A recent study on adoption of poultry breeds in the highlands of Ethiopia also indicates that adoption has been limited by a set of factors such as lack of strong extension follow up and complimentary inputs, diseases, unavailability of credit services and market problems (Hailemariam et al., 2006). Still, there is a big gap between demand and supply of poultry products. There were attempts made by MoA and several institutions and NGOs to improve village production systems through introduction of limited number of, usually 5 to 7, exotic breeds (Alemu and Taddele, 1997). Of the 38.3 million chickens of Ethiopia, more than 90% is made up of local, low producing chickens. Local chickens are known for their low productivity due to poor genetic makeup. It is believed by many professionals that there is a need for intervention, through management, to increase the productivity of local chickens. However, the urgency to produce cheap animal protein in a very short period of time needs a focus on hybrid technologies. Previous evaluations of the poultry extension system indicate that packages involving crossbreeding of locals with RIR, which was developed by MoA, is not yet developed and adopted by farmers (EEA: EEPRI, 2006) In general, the study indicates that much progress has not been made in promoting the poultry development packages in most regions since the numbers of animals included in the package and the types of breeds are few. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider intervention approaches with different poultry technology packages that are impact-oriented, gender-sensitive, and that would not repeat previous mistakes. The objectives of this study were:  to evaluate performance of 100 hybrid layer (Lohmann silver) and dual purpose (Koekoek) chickens;  to establish a new approach of cooperation with wereda agricultural offices for large scaling up; and  to create awareness of poultry production as a means of alternative business.