Evaluation of Growth Performance of Kuchi Indigenous Chicken Ecotype Fed with Three Levels of Energy Diets in Three Different Systems of Management Chesoo B. K. Oduho G. W. Department of Animal Department of Animal Science Science University of Eldoret University of Eldoret chesooben@yahoo.com profoduliech@yahoo.com Kios D. K. Kitilit J. K. Rachuonyo H. A. Department of Animal Department of Animal Department of Animal Science Science Science University of Eldoret University of Eldoret University of Eldoret kiosdk@yahoo.com k2kitilit@yahoo.com rachuonyo@yahoo.com Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of Kuchi indigenous chicken (IC) ecotype of Kenya. This ecotype has become popular for its high mature body weight. From week 12 to17, growth performance of the Kuchi growers was evaluated on the effects of three levels of energy diets: High (HE) 2700.5 MEKcal/Kg, Low (LE) 2564 MEKcal/kg and milled Maize Grain (MG); all managed under three systems of management: Extensive (ES),Extensive with Supplementation(ESS) and Intensive(IS). The HE and LE rations were specifically formulated for the experiments which were fed to the Kuchi growers on a two week change-over basis from week up to week 17.The experiment was laid under a Randomized Completely Block Design(RCBD);with three treatments(energy diet),three Blocks with two replicates(period in weeks)each with six experimental animals. Mean weekly weights were computed and analyzed by ANOVA using SAS (2011) software tool. Both Fisher‘s LSD and Duncan Student‘s Range were applied in separating means where differences were observed. Differences among management systems were not (p>0.05) statistically significant. Diet LE 2564MEKcal/kg had significant effect (p<0.05) on Kuchi growers; While diets HE and MG had no significance (p>0.05). It is concluded that Kuchi does not need an intensified management. Furthermore, a grower‘s supplementation ration of about 2564.5MEKcal/Kg is optimal under an extensive production system. Key Words: Indigenous Chicken, Kuchi, Supplementation, Ecotype, Kenya INTRODUCTION Indigenous chicken (IC) is any flock of chicken (Gallus domesticus) that have originated from the Red jungle fowl (Gallus Gallus) and kept under free-range management system with no selection for breeding or improvement (Ondwasi, 2009). One of these IC is the Kuchi ecotype whose phenotypic attributes have made it popular in terms of mature body weight (Lwelamira, 2008). Kuchi is mainly found in Lamu County, Faza Island and other coastal regions of Kenya such Kikambala and Mombasa (Mwanza, 2010; Mutua, 2008). Generally, IC lay between 8-15 eggs per clutch depending on feed availability and they African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, February, 2015 Vol 2, No. 4 72