Abstract:
This study reviews the productive and reproductive performance of indigenous chickens in Ethiopia
with the aim of delivering summarized and synthesized information for the beneficiaries and producers.
Chicken production encompasses into traditional scavenging, small and large-scale market orientated
systems based on the objective of the producer, the type of inputs used and the number and types of
chickens kept. In Ethiopia, indigenous chickens produces 10 to 20 eggs per clutch and 30 to 65 small
eggs per hen per year in 3 to 4 clutches. Local chickens reach slaughter/market age at 8 to 12 months
with 0.6 to 2.5 kg average weight at farmer management system. Indigenous chickens require long time
to reach sexual maturity and takes longest time to recover reproductive cycle by local broody hen. The
average mortality rate was highest and which affects both productive and reproductive performance of
indigenous chickens by reducing survival rate. There were huge number of indigenous chickens
existing in Ethiopia but productivity was disproportional to the number of chickens. The major
constraint which affects productive and reproductive performance of indigenous chickens are diseases
and predators, feed shortages, lack of training and extension services, and lack of proper marketing
systems. Conclusively, lowest productive and reproductive performance
