Abstract
The study was conducted at Rangtia, Shalchura and Dudhnoi villages under Jhenigati upazilla of Sherpur district in Bangladesh for phenotypic and morphometric characterization of indigenous chickens. Among three types of indigenous chickens, Non-descript Deshi were prominent (86%), compared to Cap Headed (10%) and Naked Neck (4%) and the overall mean body weight, back length, body circumference and pelvis width were 961.50 ± 17.79 gm, 152.70 ± 1.29 mm, 219.20 ± 1.89 mm and 25.57 ± .62 mm respectively. The prominent colors of plumage, shank, skin, earlobe and eggshell were multiple (24%), white (52%), white (89%), white & red (47%) and white (48%), respectively while 99% chickens had single comb. The highest correlation (0.70) was observed between body weight & body circumference followed by (0.36) between body weight & back length and (0.27) between body weight & pelvis width while eggshell color was significantly correlated with body weight (-0.48), body circumference (-0.41) and pelvis width (-0.26). However, comb type was significantly (p<0.05) affected body weight and pelvis width. But bird type had significant (p<0.05) effect on pelvis width only. Present study reveals that variations in some phenotypic characteristics have significant influence on the pelvis width and body weight while a little change in some morphometric traits may affect body weight of indigenous chickens in Bangladesh which may serve as important indicator trait(s) for future research on the conservation and development of indigenous chicken ecotypes in- situ. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v12i2.21927 SAARC J. Agri., 12(2): 154-169 (2014)
Highlights
Bangladesh Economic Review (2009) showed the highest growth rate of livestock sub-sector in GDP at constant rates in the years 2004-‘05 (7.23%) and 2005-‘06 (6.15%) compared to crops, vegetables (0.15%) and fisheries (3.91%) (MOFL, 2009)
The birds reared in these households were wing banded and in-depth survey data were collected on bird and comb type, plumage, shank, skin, earlobe and egg shell color, body weight, back length, body circumference and pelvis width
We observed variation in plumage colors of indigenous chickens in Bangladesh, where multiple plumage color (24%) was prominent followed by others, black, black & white, red brown, red, white, yellow, grayish and white & red and this finding was in line of the research work of Melesse and Negesse (2011) in indigenous chickens in southern region of Ethiopia (Kei, Tikur, Gebsima, Netch, Kokima, Wosera, Zagolima and Zigrima) and Daikwo et al (2011) in chicken of Dekina (Brown/Black 35.5%, Black 10.25%, Black/White 6.5%, Brown/Black/White 3.25%, & White 2.75%)
Summary
Bangladesh Economic Review (2009) showed the highest growth rate of livestock sub-sector in GDP at constant rates (base year 1995-‘96) in the years 2004-‘05 (7.23%) and 2005-‘06 (6.15%) compared to crops, vegetables (0.15%) and fisheries (3.91%) (MOFL, 2009). There are a number of breeds/types of indigenous chickens such as: Non-descript Deshi, Aseel, Naked Neck, Hilly and Dwarf in Bangladesh and these are undergoing genetic erosion due to continuous indiscriminate crossing with exotic stock but no attempts have been made to improve and conserve these valued genetic resources (Bhuiyan et al, 2005). For this perspective, characterization of indigenous chicken both phenotypically & morphometrically is important. This study was designed to evaluate the phenotypic and morphometric traits of indigenous chickens and to reveal the relationship among them
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