Objectives • Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of chicken of five ecotypes in Ethiopia, • Identify breeding objectives and parameter estimation for egg production and growth, • set up cross breeding program, Scenario study and dissemination. This activity has proven to be the most successful breeding activity involving indigenous chickens in Ethiopia. Conclusion • Significant phenotypic and genotypic variability between ecotype. • Survival, egg production, growth and age at first egg as traits of importance for rural poultry producers & should be targeted for improvement/selection • Following six generations of selection, improvements in egg production at 45 weeks of age from 34 In the base population to 75, Age at first egg from 223 to 148 days, body weight at 16 weeks of age from 550 to 788g have been achieved Expected results • A dual purpose chicken will be developed • Appropriate dissemination strategy be designed • Alternative breeding scenarios identified -10 th generation -Color fixation -Divergent selection for Disease resistance -Crossbreeding and supply -Composite breed development and test -Develop and test different scenarios of improvement and dissemination Improving village chicken production to elevate livelihoods of poor people in Ethiopia Main message of the poster This document is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution –Non commercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Licence May 2013 May 2013 Horro Chickens from the 6 th generation Tadelle Dessie [email protected] ● P. O. Box 5689 Addis Ababa Ethiopia ● +251 911603057 ilri.org This project was funded by the Koepon foundation Tadelle Dessie, Negussie Dana, Wondmeneh Esatu, Liesbeth H. van der Waaij, Johan A. M. van Arendonk From Right to left: Wondmeneh Esatu, ILRI PhD Fellow, Tadelle Dessie, ILRI scientist, Asnake Fikre, Debre Zeit Research Center, Director, Negussie Dana, Southern Agricultural Research Institute Director General and former ILRI PhD Fellow during the award ceremony for outstanding contribution in Chicken breed improvement and capacity building in Ethiopia to both Tadelle and Negussie Recognized achievements D FI D F u n di n g K o e p o n F u n d i n g -Egg production -Growth (wt at 16 wks) -Age at first egg B r e e d i n g O b j e c t i v e Set up breed improvement program -2nd generation -Promising results Diagnostics High mortality Facility Man power Egg production 34-75 at 45 wks of age Age at first egg 223-148 days Growth 550-788 g High within variability C h a r a c t e r i s a t i o n Livability 50%-97%