# Selection criteria and husbandry practices of indigenous chicken producers in Northwest Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study explores how chicken farmers in Ethiopia select and care for chickens, finding that egg production and appearance are key factors, and that practices vary by region.

## Contribution

The study identifies region-specific selection criteria and husbandry practices of indigenous chicken producers in Ethiopia to inform targeted breeding programs.

## Key findings

- Egg production is the top selection criterion for female chickens across all regions.
- Plumage color, appearance, and growth rate are the main factors for selecting male chickens.
- Reproductive performance and flock composition differ significantly among agro-ecologies.

## Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the selection criteria and husbandry practices of chicken producers in different agro-ecological zones of Northwest Ethiopia as input for designing a breeding program. The study employed a purposive selection of districts and peasant associations with high indigenous chicken potential. The study areas were stratified based on the major agro-ecologies (highland, midland, and lowland). A total of 360 households were included in the study, and data on chicken breeding practices, selection criteria, and reproductive performance were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. In all agro-ecologies, egg production was prioritized by chicken owners when choosing female chickens. For male chickens, plumage color (index = 0.27), appearance (index = 0.24), and growth rate (index = 0.23) were the main selection factors. Farmers kept chickens primarily to generate cash through the sale of eggs and live animals (male chickens). There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) among agro-ecologies in nutritional management and housing of chickens. Chicken flock composition showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) among agro-ecologies, except layers. Most of the farmers had their own cock born in the flock. Chicken owners found in all agro-ecologies were practicing culling unwanted chickens. All the reproductive performance traits have shown a highly significant (p < 0.001) difference among agro-ecologies. A relatively higher inbreeding coefficient (0.18) was obtained in the highland agro-ecology compared to midland (0.16) and lowland (0.12). The study highlighted the importance of designing breeding programs that align with farmers' production objectives and trait preferences based on specific agro-ecologies for sustainable increases in chicken productivity.

•In addition to production traits, farmers also paid attention to morphological traits.•Farmers raise chickens primarily for income from selling of egg and male chickens.•Agro-ecology has a slight impact on trait preference and husbandry practices.

In addition to production traits, farmers also paid attention to morphological traits.

Farmers raise chickens primarily for income from selling of egg and male chickens.

Agro-ecology has a slight impact on trait preference and husbandry practices.