Productive and Reproductive Performances of Bovans Brown and Koekoek Chicken Breeds Under Varied Seasons and Feeding Regimes in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-01
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
This research consisted of 2 phases experiment. The experiments were conducted at Kalu
district between October 2013 and January 2015 to evaluate the productive and
reproductive performances of Bovans Brown (BB) and Koekoek (Kk) chicken breeds
under 3 seasons (cold season-CS, hot season-HSe and main rainy season-MRS) and 2
feeding regimes-FR (Supplemented-SU and Non-supplemented-NS). Phase I was
arranged as a 2x3 (2 breeds and 3 seasons) and Phase II as a 2x2x3 (2 breeds, 2 FR and
3 seasons) factorial arrangement in CRD, having 6 and 4 treatment combinations
respectively with 3 replications for each treatment. During phase I, 50 chicks per
replicate was reared up to 3-month age; and during phase II, 6 birds per replicate at 3-
month age was distributed to 12 household farmers to be maintained up to 15-months
age. For phase I: feed intake (FIg/b/d), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio
(FCR). For phase II: body weight gain (BWG), egg production traits, the effect of breed
and FR on GI and reproductive tracts measurements; were measured, fertility and
hatchability were assessed, the farmer’s perception on the chicken genotypes was also
captured. In addition; mortality, rectal temperature (RTOC), ambient temperature (AT)
relative humidity (RH) and rain fall was taken for the two phases. Except the data on
farmer’s perception that was analysed by descriptive statistics; SAS, (2002) computer
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package was used for all the rest dependent variables. The result of Phase I indicated
that; BB was more pronounced in FIg/b/d and the Kk breed in ADG, FCR and mortality.
Higher ADG and RTOC, and better FCR was recorded during the HSe. BB had higher
FIg/b/d in all the seasons. Higher ADG and mortality, better FCR in the MRS; and
higher RT in the HSe observed on the Kk breed. The result of Phase II revealed that Kk
breed, supplementation main effects and their interactions played a great role in
improving BWG. Koekoek, supplemented, HSe birds and their two and three-way
interactions were higher in RT. In TCE-Kk and in AEW-BB breeds main effect was more
pronounced than the rest of the two and three-way interaction effects. Earlier AOEL was
recorded in the main effect supplemented and the interaction effects of BB and Kk breeds
due to supplementation. Among the reason of mortality/loss, mortality due to unidentified
diseases was higher. The egg type BB was superior in ovary weight, follicle number,
weight and length of major parts of the oviduct and important digestive organs.
Supplementation stimulated the ovary weight, follicles number, and oviduct weight and
length. There was significant (p<0.05) breed effect on hatchability. The farmer`s
perception showed that most consumers prefer; brown shell color, small size and, local
chicken eggs and local chicken meat. Docile and lack of permanent laying site behaviors
were observed in BB, broodiness in Kk, and similar but higher than local chicken feed
consumption in both. In conclusion, significant improvement in poultry production is
possible through the replacement of existing less productive exotic breeds with a suitable
stock that will thrive well under all existing natural hazards in intensive and in the rural
free range condition, feed supplementation to scavenging birds following vaccination
program against prevalent diseases. The physiological and anatomical changes in terms
of digestive and female reproductive systems may be mediating the positive effects of
selection of suitable breed and feed supplementation. To meet the increasing demand for
commercial chicks in this country; favourable environment, adequate nutrition and a
more productive breed of parent stock should be provided. Sensitization campaigns on
nutritional quality of eggs and meat, on the behaviour and temperament of exotic
chickens is necessary
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Keywords
South wollo zone ethiopia