Consumption of indigenous chicken in Metekel Zone of BeniShangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey was conducted to understand poultry (meat and egg) consumption in Metekel zone of BeniShangul Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. A  total of 119 respondents were interviewed from four districts. About 62 per cent of the respondents were from the rural areas. Sources  of chicken for the respondents are market (34.4%), own production (27.7%), neighbor (2.5%) and combination of sources (35.3%). About  53 and 66 per cent of respondents preferred eggs and meat, respectively, based on breeds. About 55 per cent of respondents prefer meat  from indigenous chicken. Only about 13 per cent of the respondents consume chicken meat at a frequency of more than once in a  month and this is less than the frequency of consumption of beef and goat meat. Average annual chicken consumption per household is  8.5 (SD=3.48) chicken while average egg consumption per month was slightly higher than 10 eggs. Age, plumage colour and size of  chicken were main factors in the choice of live chicken during purchasing while size and egg shell colour are important criteria for choice  of eggs. Multiple response queries on preference for parts of chicken carcass indicated that 93.3% have preference for drumstick and 54.6  per cent for wing and gizzard. Consumption of neck, head, blood, digits and intestine is reported by 86.5, 58, 22, less than 2, and 14  per cent of the respondents, respectively. About 85 and 63 per cent of respondents are willing to continue consumption of chicken meat  and egg, respectively, even if the price increases. The information in this study, along with information on marketing aspect of poultry in  the area, can serve as input in designing poultry development and improvement in the area.