Phenotypic cluster and diversity analysis of native chickens in Western Visayas, Philippines

Factors Influencing the Morphological Characteristics of Village Chickens’ Genetic Resources in the Abu-Dhabi Emirate, UAE

“…Fayomi had 75% white shanks, while Kuwaiti had no white shanks. Cabarles [13] observed high diversity of shank color ranged among groups of VCs but not within groups. Genes responsible for shank color also affect plumage color [9].…”

“…Village chickens in Philippines had normal feather morphology [13], while that of VCs feathers in Ethiopia was silky [18] and that in Sri Lanka was variety of morphol- In general, 77% of all chicken breeds had normal feather distribution, while feathered shanks and feet and crested head each represent 10% of the sampled Figure 1. Feather morphology and distribution, plumage pattern breast size, skin and shank color as affected by breed of chicken.…”

“…Presence of carotenoid pigments causes the yellow skin color, which is due to homozygous recessive alleles causing the inhibition of expression of the beta-carotene dioxygenase-2 enzyme while white birds are carrying the dominant allele [2]. Cabarles [13] reported low diversity of skin colors within genetic groups in Philippines. Kosba1 et al [20] observed differences of VCs skin colors influenced by region of the country.…”

“…In addition, VCs are used to utilize farm by-products and mostly resistant to diseases and parasites [10] [11] [12]. In general, even if local breeds have low production rate, they are more adapted to their environment and they may reserve an essential and special genes or traits that could meet the changeable preferences of consumers, alteration of production systems, and resistance to newly developing diseases [13]. Consequently, VCs are gene reservoirs for genetic future studies, improvement and conservation [3] [6].…”

“…Characterization using molecular genetics provides trustworthy data though it is complex and expensive and should be always incorporated with phenotypic characteristics to be useful [13] [16]. In terms of morphological characteristics, the phenotypic traits of VCs may be considered to indicate the local chickens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).…”