On-Farm Performance Evaluation of Koekoek Layers Chicken in West Arsi Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the egg production performance and egg quality of Koekoek chicken breed under farmer management conditions with locally formulated rations and determines the economic feasibility. Chickens were managed under a semi-scavenging system and supplemented with a locally formulated diet, except for one household which served as a control (no formulated ration). The ingredients used were maize (35%), soybean (20%), wheat bran (19.5%), noug cake (22%), salt (1.5%), premix (1%), and limestone (1%). Each bird received 90 g of the formulated feed daily. A total of 240 Koekoek chickens (200 pullets and 40 cockerels) were distributed and purposive sampling approach was employed to select 20 smallholder farmers (10 from each district) in collaboration with Development Agents, and Kebele leaders. Results showed that formulated ration feeding improved survival rate and egg production performance. Nagele Arsi had a higher survival rate (95%) compared to Kofele (78%). Egg production per hen per year increased with ration, from 122 to 180 eggs in Kofele and from 183 to 222 eggs in Nagele Arsi. While egg quality parameters (egg length, egg width, and yolk color and shell weight) showed no statistically significant differences, egg weight, albumen weight and shell thickness was improved with formulated ration. Formulated ration improved the economic performance of Koekoek layers under farmer management conditions. Farmers perceived Koekoek chickens as more productive when supplemented, less broody, and resilient to disease and predatory compared to local breeds. The study concludes that locally formulated ration improves egg productivity from 153-201, income and survival of Koekoek layer chickens under smallholder management conditions.