Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T09:41:26.524Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Indigenous chicken genetic resources in Kenya: their unique attributes and conservation options for improved use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2014

K. NGENO*
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
E.H. VANDER WAAIJ
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
A.K. KAHI
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The indigenous chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) genetic resources (IC) comprise more than 80% of the overall poultry population in rural villages despite their low productivity. However, a holistic approach that increases productivity without increasing production costs or leading to loss of biodiversity is presently limited. Conversely, in most developing countries, there is almost no organizational structure for breeding programmes for improving and conserving IC. These locally adapted IC can only be conserved in the most rational and sustainable way by ensuring that they are functional part of different production systems. Their conservation should be through utilisation if they are to be of any benefit to the poor rural households. This discussion focuses on five very relevant questions that need to be answered if the conservation of IC is to be effective and sustainable: What, why and how should we conserve, who are the stakeholders and what are their roles in conservation efforts?

Type
Small-scale Family Poultry Production
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

BADUBI, S. S., RAKERENG, M. and MARUMO, M. (2006) Morphological characteristics and feed resources available for indigenous chickens in Botswana. Livestock Research for Rural Development 18: Article #3. Retrieved from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd18/1/badu18003.htm.Google Scholar
BAGUST, T.J. (1994) Improving health for poultry production in Asia: a development perspective. Avian Pathology 23: 395-404.Google Scholar
BARTELS, T. (2003) Variations in the morphology, distribution, and arrangement of feathers in domesticated birds. Journal of Experimental Zoology 298B: 91-108.Google Scholar
DEEB, N. and CAHANER, A. (1999) The effects of naked neck genotypes, ambient temperature and feeding status and their interactions on body temperature and performance of broilers. Poultry Science 78: 1341-1346.Google Scholar
FALCONER, D.S. (1989) Introduction to quantitative genetics. 3rd edition 399.Google Scholar
FAO (2007) The state of the world's animal genetic resources for food and agriculture. Commission on genetic resources for food and agriculture. FAO, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
FAO (2010) Chicken genetic resources used in smallholder production systems and opportunities for their development. FAO, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
FAYEYE, T.R., AYORINDE, K.L., OJO, V. and ADESINA, O.M. (2006) Frequency and influence of some major genes on body weight and body size parameters of Nigerian local chickens. Livestock Research for Rural Development 18 (3): Article #37. Retrieved from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd18/3/faye18037.htm.Google Scholar
GONDWE, T.N.P. (2005) Characterization of local chicken in low input-low output production systems: Is there scope for appropriate production and breeding strategies in Malawi, Ph.D. Thesis, Universität Gottingen.Google Scholar
HAMAL, K., BURGESS, S., PEVZNER, I. and ERF, G.F. (2006) Maternal antibody transfer from dams to their egg-yolk, egg-white and chicks in two meat lines of chickens. Poultry Science 85: 1364-1372.Google Scholar
HASSAN, M.K., AFIFY, M.A. and ALY, M.M. (2004) Genetic Resistance of Egyptian Chickens to Infectious Bursal Disease and Newcastle Disease. Tropical Animal Health and Production 36: 1-9.Google Scholar
HORST, P. (1988) Native fowl as reservoir for genomes and major genes with direct and indirect effects on productive adaptability. Proceedings of the 18th World's Poultry Congress, Nagoya, Japan.Google Scholar
HORST, P. (1989) Native fowl as reservoir for genomes and major genes with direct and indirect effect on adaptability and their potential for tropical orientated breeding plans. Archiv für Geflügelkunde 53: 93-101.Google Scholar
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2007) Climate 2007: impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Summary for policy makers.Google Scholar
KAMALI, M.A., GHORBANI, S.H., SHARBABAK, M.M. and ZAMIRI, M.J. (2007) Heritabilities and genetic correlations of economic traits in Iranian native fowl and estimated genetic trend and inbreeding coefficients. British Poultry Science 48: 443.Google Scholar
KAINGU, F.B., KIBOR, A.C., SHIVAIRO, R., KUTIMA, H., OKENO, T.O., WAIHENYA, R. and KAHI, A.K. (2010) Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminthes and coccidia in indigenous chicken from different agro-climatic zones in Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research 5: 458-462.Google Scholar
KAUDIA, T.J. and KITALYI, A.J. (2002) Commercialising rearing of village chicken in Kenya. INFPD/FAO Electronic Conference.Google Scholar
KONDRA, P.A., SELL, J.L. and GUENTER, W. (1974) Response of meat-and egg-type chickens to a high fiber diet. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 54: 651-658.Google Scholar
KOSBA, M.A., FRAGHALY, M.H., BAHIE, E.M., IRAQI, M.M., EL-LABAN, A.F.M. and EL-HALIM, H.A. (2006) Genetic trends and evaluation for some productive traits in Alexandria chickens. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal 26: 1497-1513.Google Scholar
LEGATES, J.E. (1972) The role of maternal effects in animal breeding: IV. Maternal effects in laboratory species. Journal of Animal Science 35: 1294-1302.Google Scholar
LWELAMIRA, J., KIFARO, G.C. and GWAKISA, P. (2008) Breeding strategies for improving performance of Kuchi chicken ecotype of Tanzania for production under village conditions. Livestock Research for Rural Development 20: Article #171. Retrieved from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd20/11/lwel20171.htm.Google Scholar
MAHROUS, M., GALAL, A., FATHI, M.M., ZEIN, EL-DEIN and A. (2008) Impact of naked neck and frizzle genes on growth performance and immunocompetence in chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science 7: 45-54.Google Scholar
MCAINSH, C.V., KUSINA, J., MADSEN, J. and NYONI, O. (2004) Traditional chicken production in Zimbabwe. World's Poultry Science Journal 60: 233-246.Google Scholar
MDEGELA, R.H., MINGA, U.M., LAWRENCE, P., MWALUSANYA, N.A., YONGOLO, M.G.S., MTAMBO, M.M.A., MUTAYOBA, S.K., KATULE, A.M. and OLSEN, J.E. (1998) Feasibility of controlling fowl typhoid to enhance productivity of commercial chickens in Tanzania. Proceedings of the Tanzania Veterinary Association Scientific Conference. Tanzania Veterinary Journal 18: 117-126.Google Scholar
MOISEYEVA, I.G., ROMANOV, M.N., NIKIFOROV, A.A., SEVASTYANOVA, A.A. and SEMYENOVA, S.K. (2003) Evolutionary relationships of Red Jungle Fowl and chicken breeds. Genetics Selection Evolution 35: 403-423.Google Scholar
MSOFFE, P.L.M., MINGA, U.M., OLSEN, J.E., YONGOLO, M.G.S., JUUL-MADSEN, H.R., GWAKISA, P.S and MTAMBO, M.M.A. (2001) Phenotypes including immunocompetence in scavenging local chicken ecotypes of Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production 33: 341-354.Google Scholar
NGENO, K. (2011) Genetic analysis of growth patterns in different ecotypes of indigenous chicken populations in Kenya. MSc. thesis, Egerton University, Kenya.Google Scholar
NJUNGA, G.R. (2003) Ecto-and haemoparasites of chickens in Malawi with emphasis on effects of the chicken louse, Menacanthus cornutus. MSc. Thesis, The Royal Veterinary and Agriculture University, Denmark.Google Scholar
NJENGA, S.K. (2005) Production and socio-cultural aspects of local poultry phenotypes in coastal Kenya. MSc Thesis, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Tjele, Denmark.Google Scholar
NOTTER, D.R. (1999) Importance of genetic diversity in livestock populations of the future. Journal of Animal Science 77: 61-69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
OJWANG’, G.O., JASPAT, A. and SITUMA, C. (2010) Analysis of Climate Change and Variability: Risks in the Smallholder Sector Case studies of the Laikipia and Narok Districts representing major agro-ecological zones in Kenya.Google Scholar
OLUYEMI, J.A. (1979) Potentials of the indigenous species of poultry for meat and egg production in Nigeria. Proceedings 1st National Seminar in Poultry Production: Zaire, pp. 163-186.Google Scholar
PREISINGER, R. and FLOCK, D.K. (2000) Genetic changes in layer breeding: historical trends and future prospects. Occasional Publications of the British Society of Animal Science 27: 20-25.Google Scholar
ROMANOV, M.N., WEZYK, S., CYWA-BENKO, K. and SAKHATSKY, N.I. (1996) Poultry genetic resources in the countries of Eastern Europe: History and current state. Poultry and Avian Biology 7: 1-29.Google Scholar
SIEGEL, P.B., DODGSON, J.B. and ANDERSSON, L. (2006) Progress from chicken genetics to the chicken genome. World's Poultry Science Journal 85: 2050-2060.Google Scholar
SCHOU, T.W., PERMIN, A., JUUL-MADSEN, H.R., SØRENSEN, P., LABOURIAU, R., NGUYEN, T.L.H., FINK, M. and PHAM, S.L. (2007) Gastrointestinal helminths in indigenous and exotic chickens in Vietnam: association of intensity of infection with major histocompatibility complex. Parasitology 134: 561-573.Google Scholar
TADELLE, D. and OGLE, B. (2001) Village poultry production systems in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 33: 521-537.Google Scholar
TADELLE, D., MILLION, T., ALEMU, Y. and PETERS, K.J. (2003) Village chicken production systems in Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development 15: Article #1. Retrieved from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd15/1/tadea151.htm.Google Scholar
TADELLE, D., ALEMU, Y. and PETERS, K.J. (1999) Indigenous chicken in Ethiopia: Their genetic potential attempts made in the past for improvement and future areas of research. World's Poultry Science Journal 56: 1-11.Google Scholar
TURNER, H.G. (1984) Variation in rectal temperature of cattle in a tropical environment and its relation to growth rate. Animal Production 38: 417-427.Google Scholar
WAKENELL, P.S., MILLER, M., GOTO, R., GAUDERMAN, W.J. and BRILES, W.E. (1996) . Association between the Rfp-Y haplotype and the incidence of Marek disease in chickens. Immunogenetics 44: 242-245.Google Scholar
YACCIN, S.A., TESTIK, S., OIKAN, S., SATTER, P., CELEN, F. and CAHANER, A. (1997) Performance of naked neck and normal broilers in hot warm and temperate climates. Poultry Science 76: 930-937.Google Scholar
YEASMIN, T., HOWLIDER, M.A.R. and AHAMMAD, M.U. (2003) Effect of introgressing dwarf gene from Bangladeshi indigenous to exotic breeds on egg production. International Journal of Poultry Science 2: 264-266.Google Scholar