Production and Reproductive Performance of Dual-purpose Koekoek Breeds Under Different Production Systems in Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this paper review was depending on production and reproductive performance of dual purpose koekoek chicken under different management system in Ethiopia. According to Recent estimates the poultry population in Ethiopia is around 57 million out of which native chickens (none descriptive breeds) represent 78.85%, hybrid chickens 12.02%, and exotic breeds of chicken 9.11%. The total national annual poultry meat and eggs production in Ethiopia is estimated at 72, 300 and 78, 000 metric tons, respectively, and indigenous poultry contributes almost 99% of the national egg and poultry meat production. Dual purpose koekoek chicken is a South African breed of chicken developed in the 1960s at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College in the city of Potchefstroom by Chris Marais. The breed was intended as a dual purpose, free ranging chicken with laying capabilities as well as a large structure for meat production. According different result of study report the reproduction and production performance of this breed under different management system shows significance difference. The production and reproduction performance of koekoek chickens declined compared to intensive management system and farmers` management condition due to poor managements (lack of adequate supplementary feed and poor hygienic conditions). The production performance of koekoek chickens under back yard management condition also hindered due to inadequate veterinary service and lack of multiplying agent (source of stock replacement) and disease outbreak that caused high mortality rate. Average mortality rate during (0-8 weeks) is high and become decrease when they are age of (9-20) weeks. Their survival rate at different management system is high at the age of maturity. (9-20 weeks) Koekoek chickens are well adapted to semi-arid agroecology of mid rift valley area of Ethiopia.