Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-45l2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T08:15:01.609Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Indigenous chickens in Ethiopia: genetic potential and attempts at improvement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

D. Tadelle ,
Y. Alemu  and
K.J. Peters
D. Tadelle
Affiliation:
Humboldt University of Berlin, Animal Breeding for Tropics and Sub-Tropics, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 9,10115 Berlin, Germany
Y. Alemu
Affiliation:
Debre Zeit Agriculture Research Centre, P.O. Box 32, Alemaya University of Agriculture, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
K.J. Peters
Affiliation:
Humboldt University of Berlin, Animal Breeding for Tropics and Sub-Tropics, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 9,10115 Berlin, Germany
Get access

Abstract

This paper describes the rural poultry production system and the role of scavenging chickens in the rural household economy of Ethiopia. Past attempts that have been made to improve the production and productivity of local birds through upgrading (distribution of exotic birds) and cross breeding in Ethiopia are assessed. The merits and demerits of the different ecotypes of indigenous chicken and their crosses are discussed. The current significance and future role of indigenous birds in the face of extensive importation of exotic birds are appraised. Finally, future areas for research on indigenous chickens are identified in terms of the development of a sensible conservation programme and the utilisation of local chickens as genetic resources.

Keywords

IndigenouschickenssystemsevaluationimprovementEthiopia
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , March 2000 , pp. 45 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abebe, H. (1992) Terminal Report on the Comparative Evaluation of Native Chicken in the Hararge Administrative Region and their Crosses with the Single Comb White Leghorn. Mimeographed Report, Alemaya University of Agriculture, 22 pp.Google Scholar
Alemu, S. (1987) Small scale poultry production. Proceedings of the First National Livestock Improvements Conference, 11–13 02, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 100–101Google Scholar
Alemu, Y. (1995) Poultry production in Ethiopia. World's Poultry Science Journal 51: 197–201Google Scholar
Alemu, Y. and Tadelle, D. (1997) The Status of Poultry Research and Development in Ethiopia. Research Bulletin No. 4, Alemaya University of Agriculture, 63 pp.Google Scholar
Australian Agricultural Consulting and Management Company (AACMC) (1984) Livestock Sub-sector Review. Volume 1, Annex 3Google Scholar
Bigbee, D.G. (1965) The Management of the Native Chickens of Ethiopia. Miscellaneous Publication, No. 5, Alemaya University of Agriculture, EthiopiaGoogle Scholar
BrÄnnÄng, E. and Pearson, S. (1990) Ethiopian Animal Husbandry. Uppsala, Sweden, 127 pp.Google Scholar
Cumming, R.B. (1992) Village chicken production: problems and potential. In: Proceedings of an International Workshop on Newcastle Disease in Village Chickens: Control with Thermostable Oral Vaccines (Spradbrow, P.B., Ed.), 6–10 10 1991, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 21–24Google Scholar
Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center (DZARC) (1991) Annual Research Report 1990/1991. Debre Zeit, EthiopiaGoogle Scholar
GuÈye, E.F. (1998) Village egg and fowl meat production in Africa. World's Poultry Science Journal 54: 73–86CrossRefGoogle Scholar
International Livestock Center for Africa (ILCA) (1993) Handbook of African Livestock Statistics. ILCA, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaGoogle Scholar
Kidane, H. (1980) Performance of F1 Crossbred Birds. Wollaita Agricultural Development Unit, Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wollaita Sodo, Ethiopia, Bulletin No. 4, 38 pp.Google Scholar
Mebratu, G.Y. (1997) Experiences from an FAO poultry development project in Ethiopia. In: Sustainable Rural Poultry Production in Africa. Proceedings of an International Workshop held on 13–16 June 1995 at the International Livestock Research lnstitute (Sonaiya, E.B., Ed.), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 57–65Google Scholar
Ministry of Agriculture (1980) Development Strategy of Animal Breeding and Improvement; 10 Year Development Strategy. Animal Breeding and Improvement Team, MOA, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaGoogle Scholar
Smith, A.J. (1990) Poultry-Tropical Agriculturist Series. CTA, Macmillan Publishers, London, pp. 179–184Google Scholar
Sonaiya, E.B., Branckaert, R.D.S. and GuÈye, E.F. (1999) Research and Development Options for Family Poultry. First INFPD/FAO Electronic Conference on Family Poultry, 7 December 1998 – 5 03 1999Google Scholar
Tadelle, D. and Ogle, B. (1996) Studies on scavenging poultry production systems in Central Highlands of Ethiopia. MSc. Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 70 pp.Google Scholar
Tegene, N. (1992) Dietary status of smallholder local chicken in Leku, Southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Science 15: 58–67Google Scholar
Teketel, F. (1986) Studies on the meat production potential of some local strains of chickens in Ethiopia. Ph.D. Thesis, J.L. University of Giessen, 210 pp.Google Scholar