The study was conducted from November 2016 to July 2017 in Mekelle, Adigrat and Southern zone (Alamata and Maychew), Tigray region, Ethiopia with the objective of assessing chicken feed, feeding management and chicken productivity. A cross sectional study using semi structured questionnaire survey and direct observation on feed (quality, formulation), feeding management (amount of feed given per chicken per day, frequency of daily feeding and type of feed transport used) and chicken productivity performance (eggs/chicken/day) was employed in a total of 31 intensive chicken farms. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two sided t-test and oneway analysis of variance. Knowledge on raw material selection, feed formulation, quantity of feed given/ chicken/ day, frequency of feeding and cost of feed transportation are the main encountered factors by intensive chicken farmers and all revealed statistically significant effect (P<0.05) on productivity of chicken in terms of egg production. Therefore, for successful chicken production, increase their productivity and assure food security as whole; there is a need to establish chicken feed processing plants, improve feed related constraints and train farmers on feed and feeding management of the chicken.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a vector borne disease of the tropics and subtropics causing major public health concern in underdeveloped countries. Human visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania donovani is endemic in different parts of Ethiopia. Humera and Sheraro, two districts of north western Ethiopia, are among visceral Leishmaniasis endemic areas. The source of infection and reservoirs of the parasite however are not well studied despite previous reports of anti-Leishmania antibodies in different animals in these areas. Methodology and findings: The study was conducted in two districts of western Tigray (Humera and Sheraro), with the objective of molecular detection and parasite load determination of Leishmania donovani in dogs, a means to suggest parasite transmission possibility to sand fly from October 2019 to April 2020. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques employed to select symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs respectively (n=90 in total) including one negative control (from non-endemic area). Blood sample was collected in EDTA containing vacutainer tube from cephalic vein of each dog, and lesion scraping from 14 dogs with clinical signs. Blood samples processed to plasma and buffy coat. Plasma used for rK39ITLeish dipstick test. DNA was extracted from all sample types (whole blood, plasma, buffy coat and skin lesion) of 47 dogs for RT-qPCR analysis. Anti-Leishmania antibodies detected in six dog samples using an rK39 rapid diagnostic test. Leishmania donovani DNA detected in three dogs through RT-qPCR. Dogs were; one apparently healthy and negative for rK39, one apparently healthy but positive for rK39 and one clinically suspected and positive for rK39. Conclusion/significance: This is the first report of Leishmania donovani DNA detection in dogs in the study areas. Low parasite DNA was detected and was difficult to quantify parasite load. Hence, dog's reservoir potential for transmission to sand fly remained unclear at the area. Use of enough sample size of dogs, follow up study on confirmed canine leishmaniasis cases, xenodiagnosis, looking at skin parasite load which may be more relevant for infectivity to sand-fly is suggested in order to explore relevance of dogs as reservoir for transmission of Leishmania donovani in Ethiopia.