Phenotypic characterization of indigenous chicken ecotypes in the north Gondar zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

An exploratory field survey was conducted in north Gondar zone, Ethiopia to identify and characterize the local chicken ecotypes. Seven qualitative and 12 quantitative traits from 450 chickens were considered. Chicken ecotypes such as Naked neck, Gasgie and Gugut from Quara, Alefa and Tache Armacheho districts were identified, respectively. Morphometric measurements indicated that the body weight and body length of the Naked neck and the Gasgie ecotypes were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the Gugut ecotypes except in shank circumstances (circumference). Sex and ecotypes were significant (P < 0.01) sources of variation for both body weights and linear body measurements. The relationship of body weight with other body measurements for all ecotypes in both sexes was highly significant (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). Some traits like the spur length (r = 0.64, P < 0.01) for males and (r = 0.59, P < 0.01) for females of the Naked neck chickens are significantly correlated with body weight. Therefore, highly correlated traits are the basic indicators for the estimation of the continuous prediction of body weight of chicken. Identification and characterization of new genetic resources should be employed routinely to validate and investigate the resources in the country.