On-farm evaluation of novel brood nest on hatchability of chicken egg and brooding practices at Gofa zone, South Ethiopia

This activity was conducted in order to assess native methods of incubation, brooding, egg selection, broody hen selection, reasons for hatchability failure and to evaluate novel brood nest on hatchability of chicken egg. A survey was carried out in selected districts of Gofa zone, South Ethiopia. Multi stage sampling procedures were employed to select study areas, sample study areas and participants were selected by purposive sampling technique. Pretested structured questionnaire and focused group discussion were employed to generate data. All generated survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of SPSS 16. For egg incubation and chick brooding, broody hens were the sole methods. Broody hens selected based on plumage color, egg yield, body weight (size) and mothering ability. Eggs Laid at home was the predominant sources of incubation and selected mainly based on egg type, egg age and egg size. Overall, the respondents replied that they used either of Clay pots (18.2%), Ground (8.2%), Plastic can (19.5%), Bamboo cages (25.7%), Cartons (20.6) and wooden crates (7.8) as brooding material. Straw was the most commonly used nesting material in Demba gofa district, Melo koza districts and Sawula town (35.3%, 33%, 33.3%, respectively). Most of the respondents (90.3%) incubate their chickens during dry season (Oct. – Dec). Regarding the hatchability of chicks 90.3% of the respondents said that they achieve best hatchability during dry season. A comparatively high number of chicks were hatched during the second phase (9-12) from the number of eggs set.  Further research on hatchability performance evaluation of the indigenous chickens in both on farm and station as well as effect of the twelve months of the year on incubation and hatchability of eggs.