Assessment of poultry feed and handling mechanisms of poultry production challenges in Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the existing poultry feed resources, challenges of poultry production, and handling mechanisms practiced in Benishangul-Gumuz regional state, Ethiopia. The study locations and respondents were selected purposively based on the potentiality of farmers’ experiences on poultry production and accessibility. A semi-structured interview questionnaire was prepared and administered to 91 randomly selected respondents. In all districts included, local chickens predominate. Almost all of the chickens were scavengers. But there were practices of supplementing with grain and sometimes with non-conventional feed types. Supplementary feed types used were maize (84.1%), house waste (70.9%), sorghum (55.7%), grain byproducts (48.8%), and wheat (39.8%). Non-conventional feeds like green leaves (42.9%), worms, and insects (35.7%) were also used to feed their chicken. The constraints identified were diseases, feed shortage, predators, and lack of veterinary services. About 66.7% of respondents practice coping mechanisms for feed scarcity. They provide feed bought from the market (61%), house waste (13.6%), different green plants, vegetables, and selling of some chickens to reduce their number (8.5%). The use of modern and traditional medicines for health management, and keeping chickens in the house and making the area clean to prevent predators were practiced as a coping strategy. However, the coping mechanisms practiced were inadequate, and the management practices were poor. Therefore, awareness creation for small-holder farmers is required for the proper handling of chickens. Moreover, the preparation of poultry feeds from locally available feed resources is recommended.

Keywords:

• Benishangul-Gumuz region
• challenges
• feed
• handling mechanisms
• poultry

Reviewing Editor:

• Pedro González-Redondo, University of Seville, SPAIN

SUBJECTS:

• Agriculture;
• Agriculture and Food
• Animal Biochemistry

Acknowledgments

The authors thank small-householder farmers who participated in this study and district Livestock experts for coordinating the interview to be conducted.

Authors’ contributions

DA and AA proposed and designed the study. HA, AA, and DA collected the data, analyzed the data, and interpreted it.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research.

Notes on contributors

Dessie Abera

Dessie Abera is an animal health researcher at Debre Markos Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia. His specialization is in Veterinary Microbiology.

Alemayehu Abebe

Alemayehu Abebe is a senior researcher in animal science at Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia. His area of interest is in climate-smart agriculture.

Habtamu Alebachew

Habtamu Alebachew is an animal breeder at Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia. His specialization is in animal breeding and genetics.