The Characteristic of Farming System for The Walik Chicken in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The Walik chicken is one of rare indigenous chicken breeds found in Indonesia. The limited information on the management practices of the Walik chickens applied by the farmers in Indonesia cause the difficulity to predict their potency of conservation and utilization. Therefore, this study investigated the characteristics of the farmers, and the practice of the Walik chicken farming, and their potency of utilization. Thirty three (33) farms from Sumedang District, West Java were surveyed. Their main occupations of the farmers were labor in agricultural field (46.15%), private sector (30.77%), and house mother (23.08%). A mean flock size of Walik chicken per household was 4.15, varying from 2-7 chickens. Farmers applied non traditional (73%) by using commercial medicaments, and traditional (27%) health care and management to prevent and control diseases of the chickens. However, none of the farmers applied the vaccination program. Traditionally, most of the farmers (64%) selected the chicken breeds by their own traditional knowledge. Broken rice, rice hulls, and household by product were feedstuffs provided for the chickens. The mean of egg production, and hatchability of semi-intensive were 11 eggs/clutch/ hen (31 eggs/hen/year), and 92,71%, respectively. The Walik chicken farming is important for household income. Improvement in rearing management practices should be done to increase the productivity of the Walik chicken. Giving education for improved management system is also an alternative strategy to increase chicken productivities and household income.