Performance Evaluation of Lohmann Commercial Layer Breed in Peri-urban and Urban Areas of Cheha Woreda of SNNPR of Ethiopia

Abstract

Performance evaluation of Lohmann commercial layer breed was conducted in peri-urban and urban areas of Cheha woreda. The objectives of the present study was to evaluate the performance of Lohmann layer breeds in urban and peri-urban areas of Cheha woreda and to determine the economic feasibility under farmers management condition to promote and disseminate the approved technology packages to the users. Participant farmers were selected purposively on the basis of willingness to construct poultry house and cover all the associated package costs. Training was given on poultry husbandry practice and data recording. A total of 500 day-old chicks were distributed with two month chicken ration. All chicks were vaccinated for Newcastle disease, Marek's disease, Gumboro disease and Fowl pox disease. Survival of chicks during the first eight weeks of age brooding by using electric light under farmers’ management condition was 83.3%. Mean egg at first laying date was 147.3±13.44 days and egg production performance of chicken was found to be 58.5–81.2% in the study area. Mean egg weight of Lohmann chicken was 43.92±1.50 g/egg, 51.67±4.23 g/egg and 56.93±2.86 g/egg at 5%, 50% and at peak production period, respectively. The partial budget analysis result indicated that Lohmann chicken breed production was profitable with an average benefit of 15618.3 Ethiopian Birr/participant on an average. The major challenges were lack of skill to manage the chicks, disease and predator attack (wild cat and shelemetmat). Even though farmers’ skills were observed to be less appropriate to manage the brooding, healthcare and feeding; Lohmann chicken breed showed good performance under farmers management condition.