Variant forms of qualitative traits of indigenous chickens reared under extensive system in Tolon District, Ghana

Abstract

Context Rural chicken production in most developing countries is based mainly on scavenging systems with indigenous chickens that have not been properly characterised and classified into well-defined breeds. Aims This study was conducted to identify the variant forms of qualitative phenotypic traits of local chickens in Tolon District, northern Ghana. Methods About 320 adult birds were sampled and data collected by using observation and a chicken colour chart. Traits included head shape; comb type, size and colour; feather distribution; and earlobe, eye, plumage, skin and shank colours. Chi-squared goodness of fit test was used to test whether variant phenotypes of each qualitative trait were equally distributed. The hypothesis of no associations between pairs of traits was tested by using Cramér’s V. Key results There were highly significant (P < 0.01) differences in the distributions of variant phenotypes of all traits. The main comb type observed was single (85.9%), followed by pea (8.8%) and rose (5.3%). A majority of birds had small combs (57.8%), although others had medium (28.4%) and large (13.8%) combs. Females had small to medium combs, whereas males had medium to large combs. A majority of the chickens had white earlobe colour (60.3%), followed by pied red and white (22.5%). Feather distributions observed were normal feathered (84.4%), naked neck (8.4%) and frizzled (7.2%). Five plumage colours were observed, although some were in combinations. White plumage was the most common (22.5%), followed by black (18.8%), with brown/ash the least common (0.03%). Community was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with comb type, size and colour, and eye, shank and skin colours. Also, comb size was significantly associated with sex and comb type. Conclusions Generally, local chickens exhibited heterogynous phenotypes for qualitative traits. Local chickens in the district could be described as normally feathered with wide variation in plumage colours and having mainly single comb type. Implications The knowledge of these variant phenotypes and their associations will serve as baseline information for the characterisation and conservation of local chicken types. It could also provide guidelines in selecting bird ecotypes and/or communities for breed improvement programs in the study area.

Multivariate characterisation of morpho-biometric traits of indigenous helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Nigeria

“…Colour polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as a single species may maintain a striking phenotypic variation [ 46 ]. The present variant phenotypes may be due to polymorphism [ 47 ] and might have evolved in local Guinea fowls as adaptive measures for survival under varied environmental conditions. According to Getachew et al [ 48 ], sustainable livestock production in the tropics requires adaptive genotypes which can withstand the undesirable effects of climate change and ensure optimal performance of the birds.…”

Multivariate Characterization of Morpho-biometric Traits of Indigenous Helmeted Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) in Nigeria

“…Colour polymorphism defies evolutionary expectations as a single species may maintain a striking phenotypic variation [52]. The present variant phenotypes may be due to polymorphism [53], and might have evolved in local guinea fowls as adaptive measures for survival under varied environmental conditions. According to Getachew et al [54] sustainable livestock production in the tropics requires adaptive genotypes which can withstand the undesirable effects of climate change and ensures optimal performance of the birds.…”

Phenotypic Characterization of Local Chickens in West Africa: Systematic Review

“…The terminology used by the authors for naming plumage colors is not uniform. Some authors adopted a simple terminology by specifying only the dominant color, while Fofana et al [48], Egahi et al [49], and Birteeb et al [50] subdivided the dominant colors into three subgroups (monochromes, two-colored, and multicolored). Apuno et al [51] and Rotimi et al [47] also took also into account the patterns of feathers using terms such as black-barred or red-erminated.…”

“…The skin colors reported include white, yellow, pink, and black. The most common skin color is white, with percentages ranging from 60% [22] to 97% [14,50]. The pink skin reported by Edenakpo et al [44] and Yacouba et al [24] is actually white skin, in which the epidermis is translucent and reveals the color of the flesh.…”