Authors :
Jesse Patrick Joseph Nyandebo; Victor Patrick Bagla; Saidu Kanu; Abigail Muana; Abdul Rahman Sesay; Magdalene Umoh
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3jLiAeE
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6464867
Abstract :
Phenotypic characterization of indigenous
chicken ecotypes on extensive management system in five
communities hosting Njala university was done using
multivariate analyses of qualitative
morphological/phenotypic traits from July to October
2018.
Six distinct ecotypes with their respective
proportions were identified (frizzle(11.1%), normal
feathered(71.2%), naked neck (7.5%), rumples (4.6%),
dwarf (2.9%) and straw featheredplumage (2.7%) with
significant differences (P<0.05) among the five villages in
terms of morphological appearance. Diverse plumage
coloration among indigenous chickens with variegated
plumage forming the majority 39.5%, while 26.2% were
black; 22.9% white, 5.9% brown and 5.5% red with
variations attributed to lack of selection for this
qualitative trait and uncontrolled mating. With regards
comb type, single comb accounted for 88.4 %, while the
remaining 4.2%, 3.8%, and 3.6% have, pea, walnut and
rose comb types respectively. 93.6% of the birds have
normal shank type, while the remaining 6.4% have
feathered shank. Three distinct shank colours were
identified with black comprising (46.5%), white (41.4%)
and yellow (12.2%).
The research findings conclude that diverse
phenotypic variations exist between ecotypes of
indigenous chickens in Sierra Leone for all parameters
investigated as a result of no selection for these traits due
to uncontrolled and indiscriminate mating that prevails
within the extensive system. Gene erosion and dwindling
population of important ecotypes was also observed in
all the communities.
The research however recommends their
conservation, through setting up and breeding of nucleus
herds of different ecotypes for the purpose of
multiplication.
Keywords :
Indigenous chicken, morphological/phenotypic traits.
Phenotypic characterization of indigenous
chicken ecotypes on extensive management system in five
communities hosting Njala university was done using
multivariate analyses of qualitative
morphological/phenotypic traits from July to October
2018.
Six distinct ecotypes with their respective
proportions were identified (frizzle(11.1%), normal
feathered(71.2%), naked neck (7.5%), rumples (4.6%),
dwarf (2.9%) and straw featheredplumage (2.7%) with
significant differences (P<0.05) among the five villages in
terms of morphological appearance. Diverse plumage
coloration among indigenous chickens with variegated
plumage forming the majority 39.5%, while 26.2% were
black; 22.9% white, 5.9% brown and 5.5% red with
variations attributed to lack of selection for this
qualitative trait and uncontrolled mating. With regards
comb type, single comb accounted for 88.4 %, while the
remaining 4.2%, 3.8%, and 3.6% have, pea, walnut and
rose comb types respectively. 93.6% of the birds have
normal shank type, while the remaining 6.4% have
feathered shank. Three distinct shank colours were
identified with black comprising (46.5%), white (41.4%)
and yellow (12.2%).
The research findings conclude that diverse
phenotypic variations exist between ecotypes of
indigenous chickens in Sierra Leone for all parameters
investigated as a result of no selection for these traits due
to uncontrolled and indiscriminate mating that prevails
within the extensive system. Gene erosion and dwindling
population of important ecotypes was also observed in
all the communities.
The research however recommends their
conservation, through setting up and breeding of nucleus
herds of different ecotypes for the purpose of
multiplication.
Keywords :
Indigenous chicken, morphological/phenotypic traits.
