Popularization of Dual Purpose Poultry Technology Package (Potchefstrrom Koekoek Breed of Chicken) in Jimma Zone

Modern poultry production started in Ethiopia in colleges and research stations and mainly focused on the introduction of exotic breeds to the country and the distribution of these breeds to farmers, including management, feeding, housing and health care packages. Accordingly, the popularization of dual purpose poultry technology package (Potchefstrom koekoek chicken breed) was conducted in Omonada and seka chekorsa woredas of Jimma zone in Oromia national regional state under four kebeles in 14 household farmers. The overall objective of the study was to promote poultry production technologies as additional household income with specific targets of enhancing a small scale commercial poultry production packages and promoting the contribution of poultry technologies as household income source and food security. Sites were selected basically by their potential and willingness to construct poultry house and to perform the technology as per recommendation. Training was given for 28 (14 men and 14 women) farmers, 7 developmental agents and experts. Necessary data was recorded from the sites by using checklist and household interview. According to collected data analysis average body weights of chickens in the 20 weeks of age are 1.23kg with average male and female weight of 1.47Kg and 0.99Kg respectively. Survival rate of chicken up to 16th week is 89.14% which is better than the studies conducted in Jimma zone before on the same breed. Field day was arranged to popularize for other farmers after start to laying egg. Accordingly, 121 (94 male and 27 female) farmers and 10 (9 male and 1 female) experts and governmental officials from woreda to kebele were participated. Awareness was created through experience sharing between participant farmers on the technology during field day. Generally, the result obtained from present study shows Koekoek Potchefstroom chicken breed show better performance in both weredas for their survival, egg and meat production at farmers’ management condition and it has got high acceptance among farmers due to adaptable characteristics, disease resistance and ability to use them for both quality egg and meat. However, feed unavailability and its’ high price is great challenge for poultry production which is followed by disease. Therefore, concerning bodies such governmental and NGO should have to intervene to solve the problems.