A study on egg quality and hatching traits of indigenous and exotic chickens reared in Silte zone, Southern Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to evaluate egg quality and hatchability indigenous exotic chickens in the midland, lowland, highland agroecological zones Silte zone. One district selected from each zone, a total 399 households (133 district) were randomly chosen six purposefully Kebles collect data on hatchability. For external internal evaluation, 300 eggs (150 150 agroecology) collected. found that Sasso had better terms weight, yolk width, height, albumen index, Haugh unit compared both lowland areas. In area, higher values for area. This suggests performed areas chickens. percentages Koekoek 70.8 ± 14.1 69.7 12.7, respectively, midland well hatchability, followed by chicken eggs. However, approximately 68% respondents did not use hatching. practicing hatching could be beneficial increasing productivity