Introduction Genetic improvement in rural poultry can be accomplished by selection or crossbreeding while selection procedures are long-term but definite. Crossbreeding of indigenous germplasm with exotic breeds gives an advantage for artificial selection for performance of exotic breeds and natural selection for resistance and acclimatization of indigenous breeds for the local environment [1]. Crossbreeding results in the development of birds that have better growth, morphometric, and carcass characteristics and reproductive traits, hence reducing the total cost of production [2,3]. Birds under free-range housing systems have access to enriched environments that promote behavioral activities, i.e. scratching and foraging, and improve the overall welfare of the birds. Environmental enrichment can stimulate and encourage explorative behaviors and create a series of behavioral opportunities [4]. The benefits of such enrichments are numerous and give an opportunity to birds for more even distribution, which reduces aggression, stress, and fear response [5]. Such types of housing systems coupled with higher welfare standards can produced a better quality of poultry meat that is more suitable for consumer preferences in Europe, America, and Asia [4,6]. Meat quality attributes of organic and free-range housed chickens are considered more valued as far as quality is concerned. There are numerous factors that affect the quality of meat, such as genotype, nutrition, housing system, slaughter age, and motor activity [7-9]. Indigenous chicken breeds are generally nominated for free-range housing systems because of their hardy nature and better acclimatization in extreme weather conditions. Moreover, some studies reported that under intensive housing systems birds are unable to exploit their maximum genetic potential and their growth is limited because of deficient nutrition [10,11].