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TAAT e-catalog for government
https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/gov/technologies/genetically-improved-poultry-breeds-for-optimized-meat-and-egg-production
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Genetically Improved Poultry Breeds for Optimized Meat and Egg Production

Enhance Productivity with Resilient, High-Performance Chickens

This technology offers genetically improved chicken breeds designed for either meat (broilers) or egg production (layers). These breeds are developed through selective breeding, focusing on traits like growth rate, egg yield, and feed efficiency. Chicks are produced in large-scale hatcheries and require proper housing, nutrition, and health management for optimal performance. The technology improves poultry productivity by providing high-yield breeds suited for commercial farming.

2

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive medium

Others: No impact

The poor: No impact

Under 18: Positive high

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Problem

  • Limited Poultry Production: Low-quality chicken breeds with poor genetics and susceptibility to diseases.
  • Inadequate Meat and Egg Production: Limited meat and egg production in naturally selected local chickens compared to improved breeds.
  • Challenges in Breed Adaptation: Insufficient management and resources for genetically improved chicken breeds in extensive production systems. Dual-purpose chickens offer less intensive management options.

Solution

  • Genetic improvement through selective breeding: By selectively mating the best-performing males and females, the program enhances genetic traits related to meat and egg production, leading to improved overall poultry production.
  • Precise Identification and Recordkeeping: This ensures that only chickens with the desired traits for meat and egg production are selected for breeding. Accurate recordkeeping helps track and reproduce successful genetic combinations.
  • Controlled Incubation and Hatching: By controlling the incubation process, the program ensures that chicks have a higher chance of survival and development. This is particularly important for genetically improved breeds which may require specific conditions for optimal growth.

Key points to design your project

The Flock Improvement of Meat and Layer Breeds technology plays a vital role in enhancing poultry production, thereby contributing to poverty reduction among livestock producers. By selecting and breeding chickens with desirable traits for meat and egg production, this technology boosts productivity and reduces reliance on inferior breeds. Additionally, sustainable breeding practices promote climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem health.

To integrate this technology into your project, follow these steps:

  • Acquiring a license to breed stock and market chicks.
  • Assess the specific needs of your project regarding poultry breeding and production.
  • Provide comprehensive training for farmers and project managers on poultry breeding and management practices, emphasizing the selection of superior breeds.
  • Select suitable chicken breeds based on production goals, climate conditions, and market demand.
  • Ensure access to high-quality breeding stock and essential inputs for poultry production, such as feed and vaccines.
  • Implement improved breeding and management practices in poultry farms, following recommended guidelines for each stage of production.

Considering that the start-up requirements for establishing a poultry breeding program can include obtaining licenses, acquiring breeding stock, and setting up production facilities, estimate the budget for your project accordingly.

Ensure ongoing support and training for farmers by engaging qualified professionals and developing educational materials to promote the benefits of improved poultry breeds.

Collaborate with poultry companies, hatcheries, and agricultural organizations to access resources and technical expertise for successful implementation of the technology.

Cost: $$$ Over 1 million USD

Establishment of a poultry breeding company

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country Tested Adopted
Benin Not tested Adopted
Botswana Not tested Adopted
Burundi Not tested Adopted
Central African Republic Not tested Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire Not tested Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo Not tested Adopted
Ethiopia Not tested Adopted
Gabon Not tested Adopted
Ghana Not tested Adopted
Guinea Not tested Adopted
Kenya Not tested Adopted
Madagascar Not tested Adopted
Malawi Not tested Adopted
Mozambique Not tested Adopted
Niger Not tested Adopted
Nigeria Not tested Adopted
Rwanda Not tested Adopted
Senegal Not tested Adopted
Sierra Leone Not tested Adopted
Somalia Not tested Adopted
South Sudan Not tested Adopted
Tanzania Not tested Adopted
Uganda Not tested Adopted
Zambia Not tested Adopted
Zimbabwe Not tested Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ Subtropic - warm Subtropic - cool Tropic - warm Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Sustainable Development Goal 1: no poverty
Goal 1: no poverty
Sustainable Development Goal 2: zero hunger
Goal 2: zero hunger
Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Genetic Enhancement for Disease Resilience:

      • Identify chickens exhibiting resilience to diseases in your flock.
      • Select these chickens for breeding, prioritizing those with the strongest immune systems.
      • Mate the chosen males and females to produce offspring with enhanced disease resistance.
      • Repeat this selective breeding process over successive generations to strengthen disease resilience in your flock.

Trait Improvement for Elevated Productivity:

      • Assess the current traits of your chicken flock, focusing on growth rate, egg yield, and feed efficiency.
      • Identify the top-performing chickens in these areas.
      • Mate the highest-performing males with the highest-performing females to produce offspring with improved productivity traits.
      • Continue this selective breeding process to consistently enhance productivity over time.

Resource Optimization for Improved Breeds:

      • Provide supplementary nutrition to your improved breed chickens, ensuring they receive balanced feeds with specific energy, protein, and mineral content.
      • Construct suitable shelter that offers protection from predators and adverse weather conditions.
      • Arrange for regular veterinary check-ups and access to healthcare services for your improved breed chickens.
      • Monitor and adjust resources as needed to maintain optimal health and productivity.

Last updated on 18 September 2024