Management Practices and Breeding Objectives of Indigenous Chicken Keeping Farmers in Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
This study characterizes the management practices and breeding objectives of indigenous chicken farmers in Ethiopia's Awi Zone, revealing that while most households provide housing and supplementary feed, production is constrained by disease and predation, necessitating improved health services, housing, and targeted genetic selection to enhance productivity.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
In the rural landscapes of Ethiopia, the indigenous chicken is far more than a farm animal; it is a living bank account, a source of daily nutrition, and a vital participant in community rituals. For millions of small-scale farmers, these birds are kept in a system where they roam freely during the day, foraging for scraps and insects, and return to a shelter at night. This approach, known as scavenging, requires very little money to start but often results in chickens that grow slowly, lay few eggs, and succumb easily to illness. Because these birds are so well adapted to their local environment, they are a precious genetic resource. However, as the demand for meat and eggs grows, there is a risk that farmers might replace these hardy local birds with imported breeds that produce more but struggle to survive without expensive care. To protect these local birds while helping them thrive, scientists must first understand exactly how farmers raise them, what they hope to gain from them, and which traits the farmers value most when choosing which birds to keep for breeding.
A team of researchers traveled to the Awi Zone in the Amhara Regional State to uncover these details. They visited three distinct districts representing high, mid, and low elevations, interviewing 180 households that keep chickens. Their goal was to map out the daily reality of chicken keeping in this region, from the type of shelter the birds sleep in to the specific reasons farmers decide to sell a bird or keep it for breeding. The study revealed that while the system is traditional, it is not entirely unmanaged. Nearly all the farmers, about 94 percent, provide some form of shelter for their flocks. However, rather than building separate coops, most households integrate the chickens into their existing living spaces. About 43 percent of the farmers let their birds perch inside their main house, while others house them in kitchens, on verandas, or in shelters shared with other livestock. Only about one in five farmers has constructed a dedicated chicken house. This integration often happens because of limited resources, but it also stems from a fear of predators and theft, leading farmers to keep their birds close under the watch of the family.
Feeding practices show a similar blend of necessity and care. While the chickens scavenge for much of their food, more than 90 percent of the households provide extra feed to boost production. This supplementary diet consists mostly of grains like maize, wheat, and barley, which are readily available in the region. Farmers are strategic about when they feed, with many offering food three times a day to encourage egg laying and help chicks grow faster. Water is never neglected; every single household ensures their chickens have access to water, with the majority allowing the birds to drink whenever they want. The water sources vary, with most families relying on nearby rivers, though some use tap water. Despite these efforts to care for the flock, the system faces significant hurdles. Disease remains the single biggest threat, with 86 percent of farmers reporting outbreaks. The primary reason for these sicknesses is a lack of access to vaccines and veterinary services, leaving the birds vulnerable to preventable infections. Predators and shortages of feed during the rainy and dry seasons also pose constant challenges to the health of the flock.
The reasons farmers keep these chickens are diverse, reflecting the bird's central role in rural life. The primary motivation is income; selling live birds is the most common way families generate cash when they need it. Following closely behind is the use of chicken meat and eggs for the family's own table, providing essential protein. There is also a deep cultural dimension, as these birds are often required for traditional ceremonies and social gatherings. When it comes to improving the flock, farmers have clear preferences for which birds to keep as parents for the next generation. For hens, the most important trait is the ability to lay many eggs, followed by a healthy body weight and resistance to disease. For roosters, farmers look for a large body size, a specific shape of the comb on their heads, and colorful feathers, alongside disease resistance. Interestingly, while farmers value these traits, they do not prioritize the ability of a hen to hatch her own eggs or care for chicks, likely because this natural behavior is already common and reliable in their local breeds.
The study concludes that the indigenous chickens of the Awi Zone are managed with a mix of traditional wisdom and practical adaptation, yet they remain vulnerable to disease and environmental stress. The farmers' choices reveal a desire for birds that are not only productive but also hardy enough to survive in a free-ranging system. The researchers suggest that future efforts to improve these flocks should focus on the traits farmers already care about: better egg production, larger body sizes, and stronger resistance to illness. By aligning breeding programs with these local priorities and improving access to basic health services and housing, it may be possible to increase the productivity of these birds without losing the genetic resilience that makes them so valuable to the communities that raise them.
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