Availability, utilization practices and farmers perception of phytogenic feed additives for chicken production in northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the availability, utilization practices, and farmers' perceptions of phytogenic feed additives for chicken production in Bahir Dar city and North Gojjam zone of Amhara region. The study included three areas (Bahir Dar city, North Achefer, and Bahir Dar Zuria districts), from which 320 respondents were selected from eight Kebeles. Data were collected from farm observations, individual interviews, and focus group discussions, supplemented by secondary information from agricultural offices records, and research publications. The study revealed a total of 1625.6 Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) of chickens in the study areas, and the average chicken holding per household (HH) was 5.08 TLU. Phytogenics were used as chicken feed additives by farmers in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, with utilization rates of 58.3, 56.3, and 52.5%, respectively. Phytogenic feed additives such as Neem (Azadirachta indica), Girawa (Vernonia amygdalina), and Nech shinkurt (Allium sativum) ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in their availability and 1st, 3rd, and 2nd in their utilization practices, respectively. The large majority of urban and peri-urban chicken producers (70.9 and 73.8%, respectively) had awareness of phytogenic feed additive utilization practices for chicken production. Phytogenic feed additives support sustainable poultry production in Ethiopia by improving food security, public health, environmental sustainability and economic resilience. Their use supports with national development goals and key sustainable development goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, good health and well-being and climate action. This finding suggests that phytogenic feed additives are readily available and utilized in the study area for chicken production at the farmer's level, albeit with no defined doses. Further research is needed to verify the effects of these phytogenic feed additives on chicken performance, and a nationwide assessment should be conducted to quantify their potential.