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Phenotypic and morphological characterization of indigenous chicken populations in southern region of Ethiopia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2011

Aberra Melesse  and
Tegene Negesse
Aberra Melesse*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Tegene Negesse
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
*
Correspondence to: A. Melesse, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia. email: a_melesse@yahoo.com; aberram@fastmail.fm
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Summary

Phenotypic characterization of indigenous chicken resources is a prerequisite for their rational utilization. Data were collected from 748 randomly selected households (HHs) using structured questionnaires. Visual appraisal was conducted to study morphological traits of indigenous chicken populations. Quantitative data were collected on body weight and shank length from both sexes. The results indicated that 55.0 percent of chicken populations were single combed followed by rose (28.5 percent) and pea (15.2 percent) combs. Yellow was the major shank colour (52.5 percent), followed by white (29.1 percent) and black (14.7 percent). About 46.4, 34.2 and 19.4 percent of chicken populations exhibited red, white and yellow earlobes, respectively. The predominant plumage colour was Kei (36.6 percent) followed by Tikur (20.7 percent), Gebsima (15.3 percent), Netch (12.3 percent), Kokima (8.4 percent), Wosera (3.7 percent), Zigrima (1.7 percent) and Zagolima (1.3 percent). The highest adult body weight was found in Naked-neck chickens (1.7 kg), followed by Kei (1.5 kg), Gebsima (1.45 kg) and Wosera (1.46 kg). The Naked-neck and Wosera males had the longest shank of 115 and 113 mm, respectively. Kei male chickens had large body weight shank length ratio compared with other indigenous chickens. The present study suggests that indigenous chicken populations might possess useful genetic potentials for improved productivity under scavenging feed resource-based production systems.

Résumé

La caractérisation phénotypique des ressources génétiques des poules indigènes est une condition préalable à leur utilisation rationnelle. On a réuni les données à partir de 748 ménages choisis au hasard, en utilisant des questionnaires structurés. On a conduit un examen visuel des populations de poules indigènes pour étudier leurs caractères morphologiques. Les données quantitatives sur le poids corporel et sur la longueur des tarses des mâles et des femelles ont été rassemblées. Les résultats indiquent que 55,0 percent des poules n'ont qu'une seule crête, que pour 28,5 percent la crête est rose et, pour 15,2 percent, elle est en pois. Les tarses sont principalement jaunes (52,5 percent), ensuite blancs (29,1 percent) et noirs (14,7 percent). Environ 46,4, 34,2 et 19,4 percent des populations de poules présentent respectivement des lobes auriculaires rouges, blancs et jaunes. La couleur prédominante du plumage est Kei (rouge, 36,6 percent), Tikur (noir, 20,7 percent), Gebsima (gris, 15,3 percent), Netch (blanc, 12,3 percent), Kokima (8,4 percent), Wosera (3,7 percent), Zigrima (1,7 percent) et Zagolima (1,3 percent). Le poids corporel le plus élevé est celui des poules Naked Neck (1,7 kg), ensuite des Kei (1,5 kg), des Gebsima (1,45 kg) et des Wosera (1,46 kg). Les mâles Naked Neck et Wosera ont les tarses les plus longs, respectivement de 115 et de 113 mm. Les mâles Kei ont une proportion poids corporel/longueur des tarses considérable par rapport aux autres poules indigènes. Cette étude suggère que les poules indigènes possèdent probablement des potentialités génétiques utiles qui permettraient d'accroître la productivité dans le cadre des systèmes de production basés sur les ressources résiduelles.

Resumen

Caracterización fenotípica de los recursos locales aviares es un requisito previo para su utilización racional. Se ha recopilado información de 748 familias seleccionada al azar (HHs, por sus siglas en inglés) por medio de cuestionarios. Se ha llevado a cabo una evaluación visual con objeto de estudiar las características morfológicas de las poblaciones locales de gallinas. Los datos cuantitativos han sido obtenidos a partir del peso corporal y de la longitud del tarso en ambos sexos. Los resultados señalaron que el 55 percent de población de gallinas presenta cresta sencilla, seguida del tipo de rosa (28,5 percent) y guisante (15,2 percent). El colour mayoritario de los tarsos es el amarrillo (52,5 percent), seguido por el blanco (29,1 percent) y el negro (14,7 percent). El 46,4, 34,2 y 19,4 percent de las poblaciones de gallina estudiada presenta orejillas de colour rojo, blanco y amarillo, respectivamente. El colour del plumaje predominante es el Kei (36,6 percent), seguido de Tikur (20,7 percent), Gebsima (15,3 percent), Netch (12,3 percent), Kokima (8,4 percent), Wosera (3,7 percent), Zigrima (1,7 percent) y Zagolima (1,3 percent). El peso más alto en ejemplares adultos lo han presentado los individuos de cuello desnudo (1,7 Kg.), seguido por los Kei (1,5 Kg.), Gebsima (1,45 kg) y Wosera (1,46 kg). Los ejemplares macho de cuello desnudo y los Wosera son los que han presentado tarsos con mayor longitud, de 115 y 113 mm., respectivamente. Los machos de las gallinas Kei presentaban una longitud corporal y del tarso mayor que otras gallinas indígenas. El presente estudio señala que las poblaciones de gallinas autóctonas podrían ser potencialmente útiles genéticamente para mejorar la productividad bajo sistemas de producción basado en alimentación procedente de residuos.

Keywords

phenotypic characterizationindigenous chickensSouthern Ethiopiaadministrative zonesagroclimatic zonescaractérisation phénotypiquepoules indigènessud de l'Ethiopiezones administrativeszones agroclimatiquesCaracterización fenotípicagallinas indígenasSur de Etiopíazonas administrativaszonas agroclimáticas
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 49 , December 2011 , pp. 19 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2011

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