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Multivariate analyses of morphological traits in indigenous chicken populations of Metekel zone, Northwestern Ethiopia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2017

Fasil Getachew*
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Solomon Abegaz
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abraham Assefa
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Manaye Misganaw
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Yibrehu Emshaw
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abebe Hailu
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Misikire Tessema
Affiliation:
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Cleopas Okore
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
*
Correspondence to: Fasil Getachew, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
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Summary

An exploratory survey to phenotypically characterize indigenous chicken populations was carried out in Metekel zone of Northwestern Ethiopia in April 2013. A total of 69 males and 244 females were sampled to record their qualitative and quantitative traits. Eight quantitative and 16 qualitative variables were measured. Sampling included three districts representing different agroecological zones. Coefficient of variation for quantitative variables ranged from 6.38 to 52.37 percent in male sample populations and 4.59–21.4 percent in females. The chi-square tests for plumage colour of the neck, ear lobe colour and skeletal variant type were highly significant (χ 2 < 0.05). The correct classification percentage from discriminant analysis was 93.73 and 98.41 percent for male and female sample populations, respectively, indicating the homogeneity of the chicken populations within districts. The stepwise discriminant analysis identified five variables for male and three variables for female sample populations, which had the highest discriminating power. Canonical analyses showed that differences in body measurements between indigenous chicken populations were highly significant (P <0.0001). The results obtained from on-farm performance evaluation indicated that the average age at first lay of hens, number of chicks weaned and mean number of eggs laid per bird per year were 5.5 months, 6.5, 50.1, respectively. This information will constitute the basis for further characterization and development of conservation strategies for indigenous chicken populations of Northwestern Ethiopia.

Résumé

Dans la zone de Metekel, au Nord-Ouest de l’Éthiopie, une étude d'exploration a été menée en avril 2013 pour caractériser phénotypiquement les populations de poules indigènes. Huit caractères quantitatifs et seize caractères qualitatifs ont été mesurés sur un échantillon total de 69 mâles et 244 femelles. L’échantillonnage s'est fait sur trois districts représentant différentes zones agro-écologiques. Le coefficient de variation des paramètres quantitatifs a varié de 6,38 pour cent à 52,37 pour cent chez les mâles et de 4,59 pour cent à 21,4 pour cent chez les femelles. Les tests du khi-carré pour la couleur du plumage du cou, la couleur des oreillons et le type squelettique ont été très significatifs (χ 2 < 0,05). Le pourcentage d'animaux correctement classés grâce à l'analyse discriminante a été de 93,73 pour cent chez les mâles et de 98,41 pour cent chez les femelles, ce qui reflète l'homogénéité des populations au sein des districts. L'analyse discriminante pas à pas a décelé que la plus grande capacité de discrimination revenait à cinq variables dans les échantillons de mâles et à trois variables dans les échantillons de femelles. Les analyses canoniques ont montré que les différences sur les mesures corporelles entre les populations de poules indigènes ont été très significatives (P < 0,0001). Les résultats obtenus sur le terrain pour les performances des poules ont indiqué que l’âge moyen à la première ponte, le nombre de poussins élevés et le nombre moyen d’œufs pondus par poule et par an ont été de 5,5 mois, 6,5 et 50,1, respectivement. Ces informations fournissent la base pour de futures caractérisations et pour l’élaboration de stratégies de conservation pour les populations de poules indigènes du Nord-Ouest de l’Éthiopie.

Resumen

En abril de 2013 se llevó a cabo un estudio exploratorio en la zona de Metekel, en el Noroeste de Etiopía, para caracterizar fenotípicamente las poblaciones de gallinas autóctonas. Se midieron 8 caracteres cuantitativos y 16 cualitativos sobre una muestra total de 69 machos y 244 hembras. El muestreo incluyó tres distritos, representativos de diferentes zonas agroecológicas. El coeficiente de variación de los parámetros cuantitativos varió de 6,38 por ciento a 52,37 por ciento en las muestras de machos y de 4,59 por ciento a 21,4 por ciento en las muestras de hembras. Los tests chi-cuadrado para el color del plumaje del cuello, el color de las orejillas y la variante esquelética fueron altamente significativos (χ 2 < 0,05). El porcentaje de animales clasificados correctamente gracias al análisis discriminante fue del 93,73 por ciento en los machos y del 98,41 por ciento en las hembras, lo cual refleja la homogeneidad de las poblaciones de gallinas dentro de los distritos. El análisis discriminante escalonado desveló que la mayor capacidad discriminatoria la presentaban cinco variables en las muestras de machos y tres variables en las muestras de hembras. Los análisis canónicos mostraron que las diferencias en las medidas corporales entre las poblaciones de gallinas autóctonas eran muy significativas (P < 0,0001). Los resultados obtenidos para los rendimientos en granja de las gallinas indicaron que la edad media a la primera puesta, el número de pollitos criados y el número medio de huevos puestos por ave y año fueron de 5,5 meses, 6,5 y 50,1, respectivamente. Esta información constituirá la base para posteriores caracterizaciones y para el desarrollo de estrategias de conservación de las poblaciones de gallinas autóctonas del Noroeste de Etiopía.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2016 

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