Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Production and Productivity Performance of Crossbred Chickens Under Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Review

Fromsa Ijara* and Diribi Mijena

This initiative aimed to review, document, and share information about the production and productivity performance of crossbred chicken for Ethiopian smallholder farmers as well as the future poultry production plan of the country. The four types of commercial poultry production systems in Ethiopia that are now recognized include village production systems, small scale-commercial systems, and medium-scale commercial systems and large-scale commercial systems. In Ethiopia, chicken crossbreeding has been attempted to enhance productivity by improving growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, reproductive traits, adaptability, and disease resistance and promising result has been gained as growth and egg production performance of the cross breed is higher than that of the indigenous breed under various production systems. Regardless of their breed, chickens play a significant role in the livelihood of smallholder chicken growers, mostly by providing nutritious food with little waste, producing high-quality organic fertilizer, as a source of income and family savings, and as a means of employment for landless farmers and women. Owing to the low potential of indigenous chicken, it is difficult to satisfy the increased egg and meat demand, and the government of Ethiopia has developed a livestock master plan to support household poultry production by increasing the adoption of hybridized semi-scavenging birds and crossbreeding to improve the livelihoods of poor farmers.

Published Date: 2024-09-13; Received Date: 2024-08-13