Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of indigenous chickens in Ethiopia: A review

Abstract

Related research results and facts of indigenous chicken production in and out of Ethiopia were reviewed with the aim of delivering information to the improved production and for the breeding plan of a country. The study revealed that the common production system used was mostly extensive type that is characterized by small flock sizes; it needs no or less inputs and a periodic devastation of the flock by diseases. Sharing the house with the family is their housing methods and scavenging is also almost the only source of diets with no planned breeding. Some indigenous chicken groups of a country were characterized and the names of the flocks are mostly designated from their niche areas. The study also showed that there are large variations in plumage colors, comb types and shank types of the indigenous birds. Social cultures and believes of most of the community have been highly attached and attracted by these morphological variations of birds. Consequently, birds endowed with red or white plumage colors combined with pea shaped comb-types have always 15 to 35% exceeded price values at marketing, than those with similar age birds that endowed neither of the aforementioned combinations. The micro-satellites of indigenous chicken population were highly polymorphic. However, there is a minimum generation response for selection. As a conclusion, breeding and improved production programs to the local chickens should also incorporate the production objectives and trait preferences of the society. Moreover, the direct implication of the diversified phenotypic appearances of local chickens indicates the genetic potential for improvement. Hence, this huge gene pool should be protected from genetic erosion and be used for improvement through traditional selections together with genomic technology. Key words: Indigenous chickens, ecotypes, review, morphological variations, traits, production parameters, systems.