Background and Aim: Understanding the phenotypic characteristics of indigenous livestock breeds is essential for their utilization and conservation. This study aimed to characterize indigenous chicken breeds in Indonesia based on phenotypic traits. Materials and Methods: Data on eight qualitative and 12 quantitative traits were recorded for 250 chickens from six breeds: Black Kedu, Gaga, Merawang, Nunukan, Pelung, and Sentul. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance to test the effect of breed on observed traits. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted separately for each chicken breed. Data on quantitative traits were subjected to Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, which was computed to test the sampling adequacy and the pattern of correlation among the traits, and Bathlett's tests were used to assess the validity of the factor analysis of each of the datasets and determine whether the partial correlations among traits were small. Results: We found considerable phenotypic variation in both qualitative and quantitative traits among indigenous chicken breeds. Multicolored plumage (96.40%), wild plumage (39.20%), gold feather flick (51.20%), yellow shank (36.80%), single comb (80.80%), red comb (94.80%), red earlobe (77.60%), and orange eyes (61.60%) were the most common features in the indigenous chickens. In addition, breed had a significant effect on all the quantitative traits that were analyzed (p<0.05). There were higher mean values for all quantitative traits for Pelung chickens than other chickens. In addition, the overall mean values for all quantitative traits in Merawang chicken were intermediate between Pelung chickens and Black Kedu, Gaga, and Nunukan chickens. The PCA showed two principal factors extracted that accounted for 77.80% and 78.38% of the total variance in the original variables for males and females, respectively. Conclusion: In general, body weight and body measurements, except wattle length, were loaded in PC1 as the primary factors responsible for the variation. The phenotypic variation observed in indigenous chickens in Indonesia could provide valuable basic information for the design of selection and genetic improvement programs.

Phenotypic characteristics are essential in creature hereditary asset protection and improvement. Phenotypic characteristics of 152 female and 52 male Indonesian Chicken gathered from five populations (Kedu, Gaga, Merawang, Nunukan, and Pelung) were collected. The quantitative traits data, including body weight (BW) and body size measurement, consists of 11 variables, such as beak length (BL1), wattle length (WL1), breast width (BWI), breast circumference (BC), wing length (WL2), breast length (BL2), femur length (FL), tibia length (TL), shank length (SL), shank diameter (SD), and third finger length (TFL) were measured and analyzed using analysis of variance to test the effect of different breed populations. As a result, the male and female Pelung chicken has a higher value in all characteristics, except for WL1 in female Pelung, compared to other breeds. For the BL1 and TL traits, both male and female Kedu chicken has the lowest value. All observed quantitative variables were higher in male compare to female chickens. In conclusion, Indonesian local chicken phenotypic differences provide the potential for future genetic improvement within the breed populations and could be used for designing breeding programs and selection.

Body weight is a critical parameter to monitor in chickens due to its correlation with better performance during the production phase. Hence, this study aimed to present an overview of the body weight performance of indigenous Indonesian chickens in the grower phase. The study was conducted in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. Data of body weight performance data of 227 Merawang, 157 Murung Panggang, and 416 KUB chickens in the grower phase were collected. These weights were measured 4 times at 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks while rearing the chickens in battery cages in a closed house under similar management. The result showed that the Murung Panggang chickens at each age had the highest body weight and uniformity value (P<0.05), followed by Merawang and KUB. The body growth curve of the Merawang, Murung Panggang, and KUB chickens at the 6th week showed similar weights, ranging between 400-600 g. However, at the 8th, 10th, and 12th weeks, the Merawang and Murung Panggang chickens had higher body weight performance. Therefore, this study suggested that Merawang and Murung Panggang chickens may have a greater potential to attain higher final body weights.

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