Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide
ABSTRACTThe visual morphologies in animals are associated positively or negatively with production, adaptation, and behavioral characteristics. For rural farmers with limited records, these features are considered reliable phenotypic markers. Thus, this study was intended to explore the unique morph...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Applied Animal Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09712119.2023.2274956 |
| _version_ | 1797448353438498816 |
|---|---|
| author | Chencha Chebo Aberra Melesse Simret Betsha |
| author_facet | Chencha Chebo Aberra Melesse Simret Betsha |
| author_sort | Chencha Chebo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACTThe visual morphologies in animals are associated positively or negatively with production, adaptation, and behavioral characteristics. For rural farmers with limited records, these features are considered reliable phenotypic markers. Thus, this study was intended to explore the unique morphological features of indigenous chickens as a farmer's selection guide. A total of 1,060 adult chickens from four rural districts were investigated for nine morphological traits. The single-comb type, supposed to be of good fertility, was the most prevalent. Yellow and white shanks were predominant, followed by gray, greenish-yellow, green, and black pigmentations. Crested and silky chickens were more frequent in highland areas, whereas naked-neck chickens were observed in lowlands. Chickens of the lowlands have brighter, more uniform plumage colors and yellow shank, beak, and earlobe colors. On the other hand, the highland and mid-altitude chickens are characterized by dark, colorful combinations of various feather colors: laced plumage, white shank, rose, and deformed rose combs. Moreover, multiple correspondence analyses revealed that morphological features have special associations with districts. Thus, the observed morphological heterogeneity of the indigenous chickens can be used as a good indicator of selective breeding. Therefore, the associations of these characteristics with productivity qualities could be confirmed by quantitative and molecular tools. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:09:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c0285499a3aa47e09d09dfe32e902e28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0971-2119 0974-1844 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:09:06Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Applied Animal Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-c0285499a3aa47e09d09dfe32e902e282023-11-29T18:00:52ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Applied Animal Research0971-21190974-18442023-12-0151172974210.1080/09712119.2023.2274956Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guideChencha Chebo0Aberra Melesse1Simret Betsha2Department of Animal Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaSchool of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaSchool of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaABSTRACTThe visual morphologies in animals are associated positively or negatively with production, adaptation, and behavioral characteristics. For rural farmers with limited records, these features are considered reliable phenotypic markers. Thus, this study was intended to explore the unique morphological features of indigenous chickens as a farmer's selection guide. A total of 1,060 adult chickens from four rural districts were investigated for nine morphological traits. The single-comb type, supposed to be of good fertility, was the most prevalent. Yellow and white shanks were predominant, followed by gray, greenish-yellow, green, and black pigmentations. Crested and silky chickens were more frequent in highland areas, whereas naked-neck chickens were observed in lowlands. Chickens of the lowlands have brighter, more uniform plumage colors and yellow shank, beak, and earlobe colors. On the other hand, the highland and mid-altitude chickens are characterized by dark, colorful combinations of various feather colors: laced plumage, white shank, rose, and deformed rose combs. Moreover, multiple correspondence analyses revealed that morphological features have special associations with districts. Thus, the observed morphological heterogeneity of the indigenous chickens can be used as a good indicator of selective breeding. Therefore, the associations of these characteristics with productivity qualities could be confirmed by quantitative and molecular tools.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09712119.2023.2274956Morphological featuresindigenous chickensselection indicators |
| spellingShingle | Chencha Chebo Aberra Melesse Simret Betsha Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide Journal of Applied Animal Research Morphological features indigenous chickens selection indicators |
| title | Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide |
| title_full | Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide |
| title_fullStr | Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide |
| title_short | Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide |
| title_sort | morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens as a selection guide |
| topic | Morphological features indigenous chickens selection indicators |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/09712119.2023.2274956 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chenchachebo morphologicaldescriptorsofindigenouschickensasaselectionguide AT aberramelesse morphologicaldescriptorsofindigenouschickensasaselectionguide AT simretbetsha morphologicaldescriptorsofindigenouschickensasaselectionguide |