ABSTRACT
Phenotypic characterization of indigenous chicken ecotypes was conducted in North Wollo from January 2011 to May 2012 with the objectives of characterizing indigenous chicken and their production system. Simultaneously, identification of development intervention for improved utilization of chicken genetic resources was also identified. In the first part of data collection, one focused group discussion per agro-ecological zones was held. Then, administration of well-structured questionnaire and morphometric measurement were employed. Measured quantitative traits of chicken among the three altitudes were analyzed by linear model of SAS 2002 for male and female chickens separately. Subsequently, mean value of each traits were compared using Tukey’s mean comparison method. Multivariate analysis of principal component analysis, canonical discriminant, step-wise discriminant and clustering analysis was performed by SPSS 19.0 for male and female chicken ecotype separately. Nechi (17.6%), Tikur (12.6%) and Key (10.8%) plumage colour were found dominantly all over the study area. Findings of the focus group discussion revealed that there were morphologically differences among chickens of high altitude, mid altitude and low altitude study areas. Similarly, findings from the semi-structured questioner revealed that indigenous chicken ecotypes are dual-purpose. The critical constraints of scavenging chicken production were disease (60.13%) predators (20.59%) and feed shortage (19.28%). Number of egg lay/clutch (37.91%) and plumage colour (37.58%) were the major preferred trait by the farmers in the study area. For qualitative and quantitative study, 715 sample chickens were recorded by category of agro-ecology. Linear measurements on six traits were taken from 210 mature male and 305 mature female chickens. The overall mean body weight of indigenous male and female chickens was 1500.97gm and 1253.36gm respectively. The overall age at sexual maturity for male and female was 24.25 ± 0.04 and 23.84 ± 0.05 weeks respectively. There was highly significant difference (p<0.0001) in egg production/hen/clutch across altitudes. Based on linear model analysis and result of focus group discussion, observed morphological variation and multivariate analysis, three chicken population found in North Wollo was categorized in to high altitude, mid altitude and low altitude chicken ecotypes.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Origin, Domestication and Classification of Chicken Population
2.1.1. Origin and domestication
2.1.2. Classification of indigenous chickens
2.1.3. Chicken population in Ethiopia
2.2. Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes of Ethiopia
2.2.1. Production system
2.2.2. Phenotypic characterization (qualitative traits) of indigenous chicken ecotypes
2.2.3. Performance (quantitative traits)
2.3. Comparative Advantage of Chicken
2.4. Definition of Breed
2.5. Breeding Objectives and Practices
2.5.1. Farmers breeding practice
2.5.2. Modern breeding practice
2.6. Indigenous Knowledge in Management of Chicken Gene Pool
2.7. Constraints
2.7.1. Prevalence of disease, housing system and predation
2.7.2. Management system and feeding
2.7.3. Market system
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. Description of Study Area
3.2. Study Methods
3.2.1. Sampling framework and data collection procedures
3.2.2. Data collection procedure
3.3. Data Management and Statistical Technique
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Respondent’s and Owner`s Profile
4.2. Flock Size and Structure
4.3. Flock Dynamics within Six Month
4.4. Qualitative Traits
4.5. Chicken Production System
4.5.1. Feeding and feed resource
4.5.2. Housing and House facility
4.6. Breeding Objectives and Practice
4.6.1. Farmers breeding practice
4.6.2 Mating system and culling practice
4.6.3 Trait preference of farmers
4.7. Incubation Practice
4.8. Purpose of Chicken Production and Social Taboos
4.9. Socio-Economic and Marketing of Chicken Products
4.10. Major Constraints
4.10.1. Diseases and mortality
4.11. Indigenous Knowledge in Gene Pool Managements
4.12. Temperaments
4.13. Good and Bad Attributes of Indigenous Chicken
4.14. Reproductive and Productive Performance
4.14.1. Reproductive performance
4.14.2. Production traits
4.15. Quantitative Traits Analysis
4.15.1. Linear model
4.15.2. Linear model for male
4.15.3. Linear model for female
4.16. Phenotypic Correlation
4.17. Multivariate Analysis
4.17.1. Principal component analysis
4.17.2. Discriminate analysis
4.17.3. Stepwise discriminate analysis
4.17.4. Clustering analysis
4.18 Description of Major Chicken Ecotypes
4.19. Breeding Objective
4.19.1. Description of components of breeding program
4.19.2. Production system, stakeholders, and infrastructures of the study area
4.19.3 Selected traits for genetic improvement in the study area
4.19.4 Proposed breeding program
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1. Conclusion
5.2. Recommendation
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary objective of this thesis is to identify and characterize indigenous chicken ecotypes in the North Wollo administrative zone, evaluating their physical characteristics, production systems, and performance to inform future breeding interventions.
- Characterization of physical and morphological traits of indigenous chicken populations across different agro-ecological zones.
- Evaluation of traditional production and management systems, including feeding and housing practices.
- Assessment of current breeding objectives, trait preferences among farmers, and major production constraints such as diseases and predation.
- Identification of performance levels in reproduction and growth to determine potential for genetic improvement.
- Development of proposed breeding and intervention strategies to improve the productivity and sustainability of indigenous chicken resources.
Excerpt from the Book
4.18 Description of Major Chicken Ecotypes
1. High altitude chickens were found predominantly in high land part of North Wollo (i.e Dawunt damot, Kon, some part of Meket districts). Windy, mountainous and coldness is the characteristics of this area (Fig.3.2). The participants of focus group discussion in this study area revealed that there is no information on origin and introduction of high altitude chickens. Generally, chicken found in this area was characterized by:
compact and blocky body shape
short neck
expanded at chest
have horizontal body carriage (appearance)
their body covered by condensed feather
rough shank and comb texture
crest headed
they have short sickles (Appendix figure 1)
they score smaller mean value in every length measurements (Appendix Table 5 & 6)
2. Mid altitude chicken were found predominantly in mid land part of North Wollo (i.e some part of Woldya, Lasta, Lalibela, Bugna and Gubalafto) (Fig. 3.2). The weather condition of this area is mild in temperature and altitude. Fortunately, the chickens found in this area were intermediate between high altitude and low altitude chickens (i.e. relatively elongated at neck and wedge body shaped) (Appendix figure 2). Similarly to high altitude participants, mid altitude participant in focus group discussion don`t have information about origin and introduction of mid altitude chicken. In general chickens in mid altitude were characterized as:
shorter than low altitude chicken but longer than high altitude chicken
somewhat elongated around neck and shank
their body appearance was a bit uprighted
their body covered by light feather
smooth shank and comb texture
short crest headed
they are intermediate in every measured traits (Appendix table 5 & 6)
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: An overview of the livestock sector in Ethiopia, highlighting the importance of indigenous chicken production and the need for proper characterization before genetic improvement.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW: A detailed background on the origin, classification, and existing knowledge regarding the productivity and management of indigenous chicken ecotypes.
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the study area, sampling procedures, data collection techniques, and statistical models used to analyze morphometric and production data.
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Presents findings on the demographic profile, production systems, traits, constraints, and multivariate analysis of chicken ecotypes in North Wollo.
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Summarizes the key findings and provides strategic recommendations for disease control, management improvements, and sustainable breeding programs.
Keywords
Indigenous chicken ecotype, phenotypic characteristics, breeding objectives, North Wollo, agro-ecological zones, scavenging production system, multivariate analysis, poultry productivity, genetic resources, Newcastle disease, trait preference, morphometric measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on the phenotypic characterization of indigenous chicken populations across different agro-ecological zones within the North Wollo administrative zone in Ethiopia.
What are the central themes discussed in the thesis?
The work covers indigenous chicken production systems, morphological diversity, socio-economic factors influencing farmers' breeding practices, and the primary constraints affecting productivity, such as disease and predation.
What is the main objective of the study?
The main objective is to identify and characterize the physical characteristics, production systems, and performance of indigenous chicken ecotypes to provide a baseline for future genetic and management interventions.
Which scientific methods were applied in this study?
The study employed focused group discussions, structured questionnaires, morphometric measurements, and multivariate analysis (such as Principal Component Analysis and Discriminate Analysis) to classify chicken populations.
What does the main part of the thesis cover?
The main section (Result and Discussion) details the socio-economic profiles of owners, flock dynamics, qualitative and quantitative traits, production constraints, and the classification of chicken populations into high, mid, and low-altitude ecotypes.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key topics include indigenous chicken ecotypes, phenotypic characteristics, breeding objectives, North Wollo, production systems, and genetic resource management.
How does the environment influence the chicken ecotypes?
The study identifies distinct morphological differences based on altitude, with chickens categorized into high, mid, and low-altitude ecotypes reflecting adaptation to specific environmental stressors.
Why is the conservation of indigenous chicken gene pools significant?
Conservation is deemed essential to protect existing genetic diversity against indiscriminate crossbreeding with exotic breeds, ensuring that traits adapted to local environments are not lost.
- Quote paper
- Addisu Hailu (Author), 2012, Phenotypic Characterization of indigenous Chicken Ecotypes in Northwollo, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/206157
