On-farm investigation of local chicken biodiversity and performance potentials in rural areas of Jordan

A Abdelqader,M Gauly,C.B.A Wollny

doi:10.1017/s1014233900002728

A Abdelqader, M Gauly + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s1014233900002728

Copy DOI

Abstract

SummaryOn-farm surveys were conducted to investigate the biodiversity of local chickens and their performance potential. The study was carried out in rural areas of northern Jordan. A sample of 846 adult local chickens was phenotypically characterized based on morphology, feather colors, comb shape and performance. Body measurements for cluster analyses were recorded on 460 adult females. The most predominant chicken type was the Jordan Baladi (67.3%) followed by the Pakistani (27.7%) and the Brahma (5%). Cluster analyses showed that the three populations are distinct. The Jordan Baladi and the Pakistani were closer to each other than the Brahma. Plumage colors were observed either as single color or mottled (a mix of many colors). The latter was the most predominant (23.1 %) followed by black (19.5%) and light brownish (19.1%). The single comb type was the most predominant (80.3%). Hens of the local chicken reached sexual maturity at about 22-30 weeks of age. The average clutch number was 1-5 per year, with 18-30 eggs per clutch. Each hen laid on average 68.9±3.3 eggs per year. The body size of adult females and males was about 1 240±10g and 1 890±30g, respectively. Indiscriminate crossbreeding was taking place frequently. Genetic characterization would complement the phenotypic characterization and should be conducted. This would help to initiate a program for the preservation of genetic diversity in local chickens in Jordan.

Highlights

The results showed that the local chicken populations in Jordan are composed of different non-descript types such as the Jordan Baladi (Figures 1a and 1b) which was the most predominant type (Table 1), followed by the Pakistani (Figure 2) and Brahma (Figure 3)
Jordan Baladi is the indigenous type which has cohabited with people since time immemorial
The largest distance was between the the Jordan Baladi and Brahma while Pakistani was the closest to the Jordan Baladi

Summary

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to provide basic information about the diversity of different phenotypes of local chicken and to investigate their productive and reproductive potentials under scavenging conditions

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion