Caracterización de la cadena productiva de los huevos de gallinas de campo en la canasta comunitaria utopía

Abstract

In the Utopia Community Basket Program, located in Riobamba canton, Chimborazo province, the characterization of the productive chain of free-range hen eggs was developed, it was worked with a sample size of 81 hens belonging to the producers of communities (Tzimbuto, Bayushig “La Libertad” and La Victoria ”Pusuca”). It was determined through zoometric measurements and phaneroptic characteristics that the fowls are lightweight, presenting an average weight of 1164, 29 g, 2097, 44 g and 1379, 24 g respectively. Regarding the analysis of eggs quality 29 units were shown randomly, presenting an average weight of 47.24 grams; length of 55, 24 mm; width of 41, 66 mm; weight of the eggshell 4.90 grams and thickness of the eggshell 0.42 mm. To determine the yolk color the Konica Minolta CR – 400 colorimeter was used with which the following values were obtained: luminosity of 57, 62 L*, red color of 5, 53 a* and yellow color of 47, 15 b*. The product cost of a free-range egg is of USD 0, 21, getting a benefit/cost of USD 1, 19, being able to market this product at level of the fair in a cost of USD 0, 25. In the market analysis a demand of 18, 46% of free-range eggs was determined, with a fortnightly average of 30 units per family at a cost of USD 7, 50. So, it is recommended to implement a training program in free-range eggs’ production addressed to the Utopia Community Basket producers with the aim to increase the poultry farming and thus be able to cover the current unsatisfied demand.

Keywords: backyard fowls, free-range hens, free-range hen eggs.