Conservation of poultry genetic resource in the Veneto region of Italy

Abstract

SummaryA conservation scheme for local poultry breeds from the Veneto region (Italy), the Co.Va. (Conservazione e Valorizzazione di Razze Avicole Locali Venete - Conservation and valorisation of local poultry genetic resources of Veneto region) project began in 2000 with finance provided by the Veneto Region. This project involved four organic farms located in different areas (mountain, hill and plain) in the region. The local chicken breeds included in the project were the Robusta Maculata, Robusta Lionata, Ermellinata di Rovigo, Pépoi and Padovana; the local duck breeds were the Germana Veneta and Mignon; the local turkey breeds were the Bronzato Comune and Ermellinato di Rovigo; and the local guinea fowl breed was the Camosciata. All breeds are dual-purpose breeds and are utilized for meat and egg production. The Department of Animal Science of the University of Padova planned a marker-assisted conservation scheme based on the maintenance and multiplication of these breeds within their production system (in situ conservation scheme). The objectives of the farmers involved in this project were to use these genotypes to generate typical regional products for local markets, to support the development of economically marginal areas through the revaluation of local breeds and to allow the preservation of animal biodiversity.

Conservation of Local Turkish and Italian Chicken Breeds: A Case Study

“…This kind of conservation is however debatable, as it may cause increased homozygosity and genetic loss from the breeds, and is also potentially risky for epidemic diseases. In this perspective, a more effective conservation programme that includes different activities, such as improving knowledge of biological functions, conserving typical morphological characteristics, developing selection strategies, controlling inbreeding and, finally, agreeing valorization strategies to diffuse the breed in local production systems should be implemented (Zanon and Sabbioni, 2001;Cassandro et al, 2004;Weigend et al, 2004;De Marchi et al, 2005a;Nitsch, 2006;Zanetti, 2009). As a starting point for stopping the deterioration in poultry genetic resources and local chicken breeds of Turkey, a genetic conservation project has been designed by the authors of this review with the support of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).…”

“…of local poultry breeds in Veneto, i.e. one of the most successful examples of a poultry genetic conservation programme in Italy, has been followed (Cassandro et al, 2004;De Marchi et al, 2005a, 2005bZanetti, 2009;Zanetti et al, 2010).…”

“…programme involves four different poultry species (chicken, duck, helmeted guinea fowl and turkey) and four conservation nuclei flocks located in different areas of the region. Six local chicken breeds (Robusta Maculata, Robusta Lionata, Ermellinata di Rovigo, Pépoi, Padovana and Polverara) are conserved as part of the project in different areas of Veneto region, amounting to half of the total number of local Italian breeds (Tables 1 and 2) (Cassandro et al, 2004;De Marchi et al, 2005a, 2005bZanetti, 2009). In 2004, four years after the beginning of the programme, the minimum population size per breed within each flock was greater than 50 for most breeds; this threshold is important as many studies demonstrated that a minimum population size of 50 limits the rate of inbreeding per generation to a value of 1%.…”

“…The price of traditional products derived from local breeds is normally higher than conventional ones, and this disparity helps farmers to achieve a good income in breeding local breeds unselected for commercial use. In Veneto, the conservation of avian genetic resources is part of the institutional activity of many universities, especially the University of Padova, and public funds are also allocated to this aim (De Marchi et al, 2005a, 2005bZanetti, 2009).…”

“…The Veneto region example provides a persistence model to a niche market. De Marchi et al (2005aMarchi et al ( , 2005b state that local poultry breeds provide an interesting alternative to commercial strains, providing typical products with particular qualities that are of great interest in regional local markets. In fact, Veneto poultry breeds showed meat quality characteristics (dark colour and good flavour) that distinguished them from more common commercial birds.…”