Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Conservation Status and Rearing Systems in Use

Abstract

The most reared species of farm animal around the world is the chicken. However, the intensification of livestock systems has led to a gradual increase in the concentration of a limited number of breeds, resulting in substantial erosion to the genetic pool. The initial step of an ‘animal conservation program’ entails establishing the actual conservation statuses of the breeds concerned in a defined area; in this case, in Italy. To this end, a survey of breeds was performed by means of a census questionnaire divided into two parts. The first part collected information on breeds, breeders, housing facilities, and management aspects, the results of which are presented here. The second part of the questionnaire regarded chicken products and their markets, and these data will be reported in a second paper. The breed status of six chicken breeds was shown to be exceptionally worrying, with total numbers ranging from just 18 to 186 birds. Population sizes exceeding 1000 birds was identified for just four breeds, the maximum being 3400. Some improvements in status were noted in relation to breeds which had been the subject of conservation efforts in the past. The two most common breeds reported are the Bionda Piemontese, a double-purpose breed, and the Livorno egg-laying hen. Collo Nudo Italiano, Millefiori Piemontese, Pollo Trentino, and Tirolese chicken breeds and the Castano Precoce turkey breed were not listed by breeders at all. The most reported turkey breeds are the Bronzato Comune and the Ermellinato di Rovigo. The population sizes of native Italian poultry breeds were shown to be generally poor. Italian poultry farmers and the population at large are largely ignorant about indigenous poultry breeds. Thus, promoting the virtues of Italian breeds would help their conservation by encouraging breeders to rear these birds and consumers to buy their products. The identification of strategies to facilitate access to pure breed birds is essential, and will require the collaboration of university research centers, public entities, and breeders. The results presented in this paper constitute the initial part of a more complex conservation program.

Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Small Scale Production and Marketing

“…A total of 121 breeders, who agreed to participate in the survey, were visited by researchers; 62% of breeders belong to the F category and the remaining 38% were FB (p < 0.01). In total, 21 local chicken breeds for a total of 15,562 individual birds were recorded during the survey (Figure 1; for further information see Castillo et al [3]). The type of productive cycle and production area are reported in Table 1.…”

“…Italian chicken breeds are receiving increasing amounts of research attention, and studies on their genetics, breeding and productive performances, product quality, rearing management, welfare, and physiological traits have been conducted and published [3]. However, very little data are available about the small-scale production of these breeds and the sale of their products, thus the results of this study contribute to fill this gap.…”

“…The second part included: local chicken breed productive cycles used by breeders, meat and egg production volumes, products destinations, and relative retail prices. The results of the first part are described and discussed in Castillo et al [3], whereas the results of the second part are presented and discussed herein.…”

“…In Italy, 53 native chicken breeds have been described to date, the majority of which are reported to be endangered or extinct [2]. Fortunately, the last few decades have witnessed significant growth in the interest in native breeds, also arousing the interest of the scientific community, and 22 breeds are currently included in national biodiversity safeguarding project [3].…”

Genetic Diversity of 17 Autochthonous Italian Chicken Breeds and Their Extinction Risk Status

“…In Cendron et al (2020) with runs of homozygosity analysis, pointed out in eight autochthonous breeds from Veneto region a low heterozygosity index, and a relevant inbreeding coefficient. As reported by Castillo et al (2021), the risk status "endangered-maintained" or "vulnerable" has been attributed to these breeds by FAO.…”