Abstract
The Nigerian indigenous chickens (NICs) are a critical component of the global animal genetic resources. They are distributed in rural areas, kept by the majority of the rural poor. They constitute different strains, or ecotypes local to tribes, regions, or ecological zones and are valued for their disease resistance, adaptation, and yield of valuable products and income on marginal inputs making them a low risk species. They are hence a unique and vital genetic resource and gene pool for present and long-term genetic improvement and human need for food and sustenance. The NIC is however; threatened by extinction owing to neglect, negative selection, breed substitution, and genetic introgression. There is need to draw research and policy attention to the conservation of NICs in accord with the global effort for the conservation of indigenous chickens which is probably the most neglected among farm animal species. The present review therefore, focuses on the physical and performance characteristics, genetic diversity and improvement, utilization and conservation of NIC genetic resources.
Highlights
Indigenous chicken biodiversity encompasses the genetic variants within and between native chickens distributed around the world [1]
The present study aims to collate information on qualitative and quantitative trait characteristics and variation, genetic diversity and improvement, and conservation issues and concerns of Nigerian indigenous chickens (NICs), to draw attention to the extent of IC biodiversity and the need for action to improve the production, utilization, valuation and conservation of Nigerian’s landrace chickens
Oluyemi [80] reported heterosis of 12 week body weight in progenies of LC x White Rock and LC x Rhode Island Red (RIR) to range from 4.0 to 12.4% while significant improvement in body weight at first egg (BWFE), weight of first egg (WFE), at sexual maturity (ASM), egg production (EN90) and egg weight (EW90) to 90 d was observed in LC x RIR males backcrossed to RIR dams [81]
Summary
Indigenous chicken biodiversity encompasses the genetic variants within and between native chickens distributed around the world [1]. They are domesticated but unselected and unimproved autochthonous populations characterized by tremendous variation in physical, genetic, and productive attributes [2, 3] and known by various native names; and whose attributes are best described by farmers in their home communities. The present study aims to collate information on qualitative and quantitative trait characteristics and variation, genetic diversity and improvement, and conservation issues and concerns of NICs, to draw attention to the extent of IC biodiversity and the need for action to improve the production, utilization, valuation and conservation of Nigerian’s landrace chickens
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