Analysis of Village Chicken Productivity, Egg Quality Traits and Marketing System in Dedo District, Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia

The study was undertaken to examine production and reproduction performance of village chicken, egg quality traits and marketing in Dedo district, Jimma zone. Highland, midland and lowlands agro-ecologies of the district were purposively selected on the basis of poultry population and accessibility. Two peasant associations (PA) from each agro-ecology and 30 households from each of the six PAs were selected using stratified probability random sampling; hence a total of 180 (6x30) respondents were interviewed to collect the required data. And a total of 240 fresh eggs (80 from each agro-ecology) were purchased from sampled farmers on contractual bases for analyzing egg quality traits. Results of the study revealed that the growth performance and survival rate of chicks hatched from eggs collected were found to be poor. This study also pointed out that eggs collected were poor in most of the egg quality parameters; this might be due to poor storage period and condition of eggs. In the study area, chicken and egg were marketed informally and women and children (95%) were responsible for managing and marketing of chicken. There must be improvement in health care, control of predators and provision of better extension service, credit schemes and training opportunities for increasing the productivity of village chicken in the study area.