BROODING PRACTICES OF LOCAL CHICKEN PRODUCERS AND ON-STATION EVALUATION OF NOVEL BROOD NEST ON HATCHABILITY OF CHICKEN EGG AT GAMO ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A survey was conducted at Gamo Zone of SNNPR, Ethiopia, to assess the indigenous practices of incubation, brooding, egg selection practices, broody hen selection practices, and causes of hatchability failure. Multistage sampling procedures were employed to select woredas, sample kebeles, and respondents, in which two districts were selected by purposive sampling technique; stratified purposive techniques were employed to select nine sample kebeles, and purposive random sampling techniques were used to select a total of 385 respondents. Pretested structured questionnaire and focused group discussion were employed to generate data. All generated survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of SPSS 16. Broody hens were the sole means of egg incubation and chick brooding. Broody hens are selected based on plumage color, egg yield, body weight (size), and mothering ability. Eggs laid at home were the predominant sources of incubation and were selected mainly based on egg type, egg age, and egg size. Clay pots, plastic, bamboo cages, and cartons were used as egg-setting materials, and grasses, straws, cotton seeds, feathers of broody hens, and clothes were used as bedding materials. October–December was the most preferred while July–September was the worst months of the year to incubate eggs and to achieve the best hatchability eggs. Environmental temperature, lack of proper laying nests, and post handling were the critical causes of the failure of egg hatchability in the study area. The total number of eggs incubated using a novel nest was 16 eggs. A comparatively high number of chicks were hatched during the second phase (7–12) from the number of eggs set. There is a strong need for training of chicken producers in increasing hatchability performances through the preparation of proper brooding nest or laying nest, egg selection, feeding, housing, health care, proper post handling, and chick management to increase their economic returns. Community-based holistic improvement programs are also very imperative to design to improve the genetic potential through selective breeding and conservation of the indigenous chicken genetic resources. Further research on hatchability performance evaluation of the indigenous chickens both on-farm and station as well as the effect of the 12 months of the year on incubation and hatchability of eggs.