Assessment of poultry feed and handling mechanisms of poultry production challenges in Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to assess the existing poultry feed resources, challenges of poultry production, and handling mechanisms practiced in Benishangul-Gumuz regional state, Ethiopia. The study locations and respondents were selected purposively based on the potentiality of farmers' experiences on poultry production and accessibility. A semi-structured interview questionnaire was prepared and administered to 91 randomly selected respondents. In all districts included, local chickens predominate. Almost all of the chickens were scavengers. But there were practices of supplementing with grain and sometimes with non-conventional feed types. Supplementary feed types used were maize (84.1%), house waste (70.9%), sorghum (55.7%), grain byproducts (48.8%), and wheat (39.8%). Non-conventional feeds like green leaves (42.9%), worms, and insects (35.7%) were also used to feed their chicken. The constraints identified were diseases, feed shortage, predators, and lack of veterinary services. About 66.7% of respondents practice coping mechanisms for feed scarcity. They provide feed bought from the market (61%), house waste (13.6%), different green plants, vegetables, and selling of some chickens to reduce their number (8.5%). The use of modern and traditional medicines for health management, and keeping chickens in the house and making the area clean to prevent predators were practiced as a coping strategy. However, the coping mechanisms practiced were inadequate, and the management practices were poor. Therefore, awareness creation for small-holder farmers is required for the proper handling of chickens. Moreover, the preparation of poultry feeds from locally available feed resources is recommended.