Farmers’ choice of genotypes and trait preferences in tropically adapted chickens in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at determining chicken genotypes of choice and traits preference in chicken by smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Data were obtained from a total of 2063 farmers using structured questionnaires in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Chi square (χ 2) statistics was used to explore relationships between categorical variables. The mean ranks of the six genotypes and twelve traits of preference were compared using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H (with Mann-Whitney U test for post hoc separation of mean ranks), Friedman, and Wilcoxon signed-rank (with Bonferroni's adjustments) tests. Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) was used to assign farmers into groups. Gender distribution of farmers was found to be statistically significant (χ 2 = 16.599; P ≤ 0.002) across the zones. With the exception of Shika Brown, preferences for chicken genotypes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) influenced by agro-ecological zone. However, gender differentiated response was only significant (P ≤ 0.01) in Sasso chicken with more preference by male farmers. Overall, FUNAAB Alpha, Sasso, and Noiler chicken were ranked 1st, followed by Kuroiler (4th), Shika Brown (5th), and Fulani birds (6th), respectively. Within genotypes, within and across zones and gender, preferences for traits varied significantly (P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.01). Traits of preference for selection of chicken breeding stock tended towards body size, egg number, egg size, and meat taste. Spearman's rank order correlation coefficients of traits of preference were significant (P ≤ 0.01) and ranged from 0.22 to 0.90. The two PCs extracted, which explained 65.3% of the variability in the dataset, were able to assign the farmers into two groups based on preference for body size of cock and hen and the other ten traits combined. The present findings may guide the choice of appropriate chicken genotypes while the traits of economic importance may be incorporated into future genetic improvement and conservation programs in Nigeria.

Production performance and survivability of six dual-purpose breeds of chicken under smallholder farmers' management practices in Nigeria

“…FUNAAB Alpha ranked second in HDEP. Egg number had previously been reported as one of the significant traits influencing farmers' breed preference (Yakubu et al, 2019). The average egg weight of the six breeds of chicken was higher by 146 % compared to the 35 g reported for the local eggs (Adedokun and Sonaiya, 2002;Ajayi, 2010).…”

“…On-farm data were collected between August 2016 and August 2018 in five different agroecological zones represented by five states: Kebbi (Sudan savanna/northern Guinea savanna), Kwara (northern Guinea savanna/southern Guinea savanna), Nasarawa (southern Guinea savanna/derived savanna), Imo (lowland rainforest/swamp) and Rivers (freshwater swamp/mangrove swamp) states. The climatic conditions of the five agroecologies were as described by Yakubu et al (2019). Kebbi and Nasarawa had similar average temperature of 28 • C, while average temperatures in Imo, Kwara and Rivers ranged between 26.4 and 26.8 • C. Relative humidity was 47.4 %, 74.0 %, 74.4 %, 80.0 % and 83.4 %, respectively, for Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kwara, Imo and Rivers.…”

“…Average daily temperature and relative humidity ranged from 26.4 • C (Imo) to 28.4 • C (Nasarawa) and 74.0 % (Nasarawa) to 80.0 % (Imo), respectively. Talukder et al (2010) reported that high temperature and high humidity may negatively affect the growth and physiology of birds. Compared with Kuroiler, Noiler and Sasso, the higher survivability of FU-NAAB Alpha, Fulani and Shika-Brown may be attributed to their adaptability to the prevailing environmental conditions (Yakubu and Ari, 2018).…”

“…In many developing countries chickens are reared under the free-range, backyard or semi-intensive system as a means of improving the livelihood of the people (Sonaiya, 1990(Sonaiya, , 2007Kitalyi, 1998;Guèye, 2000;Kryger et al, 2010;Billah et al, 2013;Yusuf et al, 2014;Alemayehu et al, 2018). A major challenge of smallholder chicken production is the use of local genotypes with a small body size, which offer poor feed quantity and quality resulting in low egg and meat output and high mortality (Yakubu et al, 2007;Mellesse, 2014;Ajayi and Agaviezor, 2016;Sankhyan and Thakur, 2018). A knowledge of the production performance of traits of economic importance is required for formulation of breeding plans aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder chicken farmers (Yakubu et al, 2019).…”

“…A major challenge of smallholder chicken production is the use of local genotypes with a small body size, which offer poor feed quantity and quality resulting in low egg and meat output and high mortality (Yakubu et al, 2007;Mellesse, 2014;Ajayi and Agaviezor, 2016;Sankhyan and Thakur, 2018). A knowledge of the production performance of traits of economic importance is required for formulation of breeding plans aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder chicken farmers (Yakubu et al, 2019). Improving genetic potentials of smallholder chicken requires testing different breeds in two or more environments in order to determine the magnitude of genotype × environment interaction (Falconer and Mckay, 1996;Nauta, 2009).…”