Chicken production scenarios, feedstuff resources, and experience of using alternative ingredients were reviewed with the aim of improving chicken production in Ethiopia. The common production systems used for chicken production in Ethiopia are traditional, extensive types. There is a high demand for protein foods, particularly those from poultry in this country. However, the performance of chickens in Ethiopia is poor and consequently the demand for chicken products is not met. This sector is characterised by insufficient levels of co-ordination, little or no specialisation or vertical-integration. Issues with feed are the main factors contributing to reduced chicken productivity, subsequently discouraging chicken producers. Moreover, the recent feed price increment is upsetting many plans for further development of poultry production in this country. Consequently, poultry populations and the per capita consumption of eggs and poultry meat in Ethiopia have been declining. Furthermore, the competition between food and feed is expected to further increase the feed price, forcing producers to look for alternative feeds and locally available feeds for their birds. Possibilities to improve the utilisation of by-products for poultry feed must be reviewed for poultry producers. It is concluded that headway options for alternative feed sources to improve the productivity of chickens in Ethiopia must be explored to alleviate some of the problems seen in this industry.

The main animal feed sources in Vietnam are rice bran, rice straw, sweet potato, sugar cane, garden by-product and natural grasses. The majority of the rural population are considered to be farmers, 75% of them practice animal husbandry of which 95% includes animal production with local breeds or crosses. Local breeds or crosses produce 80% of meat and 75% of eggs. Animal production accounts for 20–25% of the total agricultural production. Pork represents 70% of domestic meat consumption.

Low external inputs are associated with the use of natural resources. Such types of natural resources as local breeds of animal are highly respected and used in a sustainable way. Uriu cattle survived the mechanisation in rice production due to the fact that the rice fields of Nghe An are full of rocks. Dong Tao chicken keeping is increasing thanks to the gourmet tastes of exigent Vietnamese consumers. Bau Qui ducks were maintained by Vietnamese of Thai ethnic tradition who killed all animals different from their breeds coming from other parts of the Quy Chau mountains, while the I pig faced the risk of extinction due to the priority given to imported pig breeds for intensive production. The tenacious and strongly built Mong Cai pig is a feature of households in semi-intensive production.