Evaluation of Indigenous Chicken Rearing Practices in Selected Districts of the Silt’e Zone, Central Ethiopia

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 02 | Page : 27 37
By

Eyob Tagesse Habdollo,

  1. Associate Poultry Researcher, Central Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute, Worabe, Ethiopia

Abstract

Indigenous chickens are important for rural life in Ethiopia because they provide income, animal protein, and social and cultural benefits. But village chickens still don’t produce much because of old-fashioned management systems and other problems with production. This study examined traditional methods of raising chickens and found major problems with production in some districts of the Silt’e Zone in Central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey was executed employing a multistage sampling method, encompassing 150 households. Data were gathered via structured questionnaires, field observations, and focus group discussions, and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics. The average number of birds per household was 9.9 ± 2.5, and hens made up the largest part of the flock. Most people kept chickens to make money (55%), and the next most common reason was to eat eggs at home (30%). Most farmers used scavenging-based feeding systems and added grains and leftovers from their own homes. Most of the time, the housing was bad, and chickens were often kept in kitchens or family homes instead of separate poultry houses. Newcastle disease was found to be the most common disease that affected chickens in the area being studied. Other big problems were not enough food, attacks by predators, and not enough veterinary care. Many reports have come out of Ethiopia and other developing countries about similar problems that are hurting village poultry production. The research indicates that the production of native chickens in the examined region remains predominantly traditional and constrained by inadequate management practices. Improving feeding strategies, housing systems, disease control measures, and extension services could greatly improve the productivity and long-term viability of village poultry production systems.

Keywords: Native chickens; production problems; scavenging system; village poultry

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology ]

How to cite this article: Eyob Tagesse Habdollo. Evaluation of Indigenous Chicken Rearing Practices in Selected Districts of the Silt’e Zone, Central Ethiopia. Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):27-37.
How to cite this URL: Eyob Tagesse Habdollo. Evaluation of Indigenous Chicken Rearing Practices in Selected Districts of the Silt’e Zone, Central Ethiopia. Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):27-37. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjovst/article=2026/view=249074

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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
Issue 02
Received 22/05/2026
Accepted 30/06/2026
Published 30/06/2026
Publication Time 39 Days

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