Estimation of genetic parameters for important traits using a multi‐trait model in late‐feathering Qingyuan partridge hens in China

Abstract

Qingyuan partridge chicken is one of the most well-known Chinese indigenous yellow broilers. In breeding programmes, five traits are usually selected when the chickens are 105 days old, namely body weight (BW), comb height (CH), shank length (SL), shank girth (SG) and feather maturity (FM). The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of these five traits, especially direct additive genetic correlations, to lay the foundation for balanced selection of Qingyuan partridge chickens. Approximately 9600 records were used for estimation. Variance components for these five traits were estimated using three multitrait models incorporating different effects via Gibbs sampling. Based on model 1 in which the random effects included direct additive genetic effects and residuals, the estimated direct heritabilities for BW, CH, SL, SG and FM were 0.29 ± 0.04, 0.53 ± 0.04, 0.47 ± 0.04, 0.43 ± 0.05 and 0.18 ± 0.03, respectively. The direct genetic correlations ranged from −0.08 to 0.46. When additionally considering maternal additive genetic effects (model 2), the estimates of direct heritabilities and absolute values of direct additive genetic correlations were smaller. The heritabilities were 0.14 ± 0.04, 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.34 ± 0.05, 0.27 ± 0.05 and 0.12 ± 0.03 for BW, CH, SL, SG and FM, respectively. The direct additive genetic correlations ranged from −0.33 to 0.36. More specifically, the direct additive genetic correlations between BW and CH, SL, SG and FM were 0.19 ± 0.13, 0.15 ± 0.15, 0.36 ± 0.15 and − 0.33 ± 0.21, respectively. The genetic correlations of FM with SL, SG and CH were − 0.15 ± 0.15, −0.08 ± 0.17 and 0.18 ± 0.15, respectively. The direct genetic correlations between CH and SG and SL were − 0.02 ± 0.11 and − 0.20 ± 0.11, respectively, and that between SL and SG was 0.19 ± 0.11. The total heritabilities and maternal additive genetic correlations ranged from 0.16 to 0.44 and from −0.13 to 0.61, respectively.The third model also included the maternal permanent environmental effect for BW. The estimates of direct heritability, direct additive genetic correlation, total heritability and maternal additive genetic correlation were only slightly different

Assessment of selective breeding effects and selection signatures in Qingyuan partridge chicken and its strains

“…Qingyuan partridge chicken ( QYM ) is a famous Chinese yellow-feathered broilers breed ( Kang et al, 2023 ). It is known as one of the top 10 breeds in Guangdong Province, China.…”

“…White-feathered broilers exemplify the breed of broilers that exhibit rapid growth, characterized by large body size, efficient feed conversion ratio, and high meat production efficiency. Native chickens are considered to be a prime example of high-quality broilers, with rich meat flavor, dense meat quality, and high nutrient content ( Kang et al, 2023 ; Li et al, 2023 ). However, it is worth noting that their growth rate and feed conversion rate are comparatively lower when compared to white-feather broilers.…”

Dietary Supplementation with Rutin Alters Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, Antioxidant Capacity, and Expression Levels of Genes Associated with Lipid Metabolism in Breast Muscle of Qingyuan Partridge Chickens

“…Poultry meat is among the most common animal sources of food worldwide and is a key and high-quality source of protein for humans. Recently, owing to the superior meat quality of yellow-feathered broilers in comparison to white-feathered broilers, as well as the Foods 2023, 12, 2302. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122302 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/foods consumer preference for both wholesomeness and a pleasant flavor profile, the production of yellow-feathered broilers has been experiencing a steady upward trend in China, the second-largest producer of chicken meat in the world, and has now reached a level of output that is comparable to that of white-feathered broilers [1,2]. The Qingyuan partridge chicken, a well-known slow-growing Chinese indigenous yellow-feathered broiler, is famous for its superior meat quality and is highly popular in China and in neighboring countries [3].…”

“…Provided per kilogram of complete diet: vitamin A, 3600 IU; vitamin D, 1650 IU; vitamin E, 16.5 mg; vitamin K3, 1.65 mg; vitamin B1, 1.5 mg; vitamin B2, 4.5 mg; vitamin B6, 3 mg; nicotinic acid, 30 mg; pantothenic acid, 9 mg; folic acid, 0.75 mg; vitamin B12, 0.015 mg; biotin, 0.075 mg; Cu, 7.2 mg; Fe, 72 mg; Zn, 66 mg; Mn, 78 mg; I, 0.42 mg; Se, 0.29 mg 2. Values were calculated using the feed composition and nutritive values provided by Feed Database in China (2020), except for the crude protein.2.2.…”