Chicken production systems, flock composition and structure, genotype and the effect of production systems on egg quality traits in Bovans Brown layers: a case of Bacho and Dawo districts, Ethiopia

The study’s objective was to assess production systems, flock composition, and genotype and evaluate egg quality traits obtained from Bovans Brown layers reared under different production systems in the study areas. This study contained two parts: a survey and a laboratory analysis of egg quality. In the survey parts, the study areas were selected purposefully based on their chicken potential for chicken production and their accessibility to infrastructure, and the respondents owning at least three chickens were selected. The production systems, flock composition, and genotype were identified with the help of a questionnaire. For the laboratory analysis of egg quality, a total of 120 fresh eggs were collected from the most commonly reared breed, Bovans Brown layers, aged 36–64 weeks old. From each of the three production systems identified, 40 eggs were collected from both districts. The results showed that the main production system in the study area was traditional (71%), followed by semi-intensive (27%), and intensive (2%). The average number of chickens per household was 8.45 ± 0.81, out of which indigenous chickens hold around 53.43%, exotic chickens account for 43.18, and hybrids for 3.39%. The most commonly reared improved breeds of chickens are Bovans Brown (43.42%), Isa Brown (29.61%), Sasso T44 (11.84%), Potchefstroom Koekoek (7.89%), and White Leghorn (7.24%). In the intensive production system, egg weight (62.09 ± 0.26 g), eggshell weight (6.79 g), eggshell thickness (0.29 mm), and yolk height (17.36 mm) are significantly higher than the eggs from semi-intensive and traditional production systems. In the traditional production system, egg length (56.10 ± 0.39 mm), albumen height (6.42 mm), yolk height (17.36 mm), albumen weight (33.84 g), yolk weight (15.73 g), and yolk color (8.77) are significantly higher (p < .05) than the eggs from intensive and semi-intensive production systems, and egg width is not varied among production systems. Putting together, the Bovans Brown layers are the most commonly reared breed, mainly with the traditional production system, and most of their egg quality traits are affected (p < .05) by the production system practiced by the producers. Therefore, it calls for investigation and technological intervention to fill gaps in each production system, as all the production systems do have their gaps.