Phenotypic characterization of the indigenous chickens <i>(Gallus gallus)</i> in the northwest of Algeria
This study was conducted to characterize local chickens in the northwest of Algeria based on some phenotypic traits and to look at prediction of body weight from morphometric measurements (linear body). The results indicated that the predominant comb colour was dark red (77.8 %), followed by light r...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-02-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | http://www.arch-anim-breed.net/59/79/2016/aab-59-79-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | This study was conducted to characterize local chickens in the northwest of
Algeria based on some phenotypic traits and to look at prediction of body
weight from morphometric measurements (linear body). The results indicated
that the predominant comb colour was dark red (77.8 %), followed by light
red (22.2 %). Tarsus colour was either white (40.9 %), grey
(31 %), yellow (15.39 %), dark (8.05 %), or green (4.51 %).
Most chickens (81.7 %) had orange eyes, while 10.37 and 7.92 % had
yellow and dark-brown eyes, respectively. The dominant earlobe colour was
white (73.96 %), followed by red (16.81 %). The remaining proportion included yellow and red-mottled yellow and black earlobes. Proportions of the
adaptive genes were low. Incidences of Na, F, Pti, Cr, R, and P genes were 8.82,
0.45, 1.22, 5.54, 3.35, and 4.7 %, respectively. The calculated gene
frequencies ranged from 0.002 to 0.045. Variations were also found in
quantitative morphological traits. Sex-associated differences (<i>P</i> < 0.001) were observed in almost all the parameters evaluated with higher
values recorded for males. Phenotypic correlations of body weight and
biometric traits ranged from −0.13 to 0.88 and −0.15 to 0.97 for males
and females, respectively. From the factor analysis with varimax rotation of
the intercorrelated traits, three principal components which accounted for
71.6 and 73.2 % of the total variance were extracted in males and
females, respectively. Orthogonal body shape characters derived from the
factor analysis accounted for 84.3 and 94.2 % of the variation in body
weight of males and females, respectively. Information obtained from this
study could be useful in an appropriate management, breeding programmes for
selection and utilization of Algerian chicken genetic resources. |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |