Breeding performance in the Italian chicken breedMericanel della Brianza

Abstract

In Italy, 90 local avian breeds were described; the majority (61%) were classified as extinct and only 8.9% as still widely spread. Therefore, efforts for conservation of Italian avian breeds are urgently required. The aim of this study was to record the breeding performance of the Italian breed Mericanel della Brianza to multiply a small population, in order to develop a conservation programme. Fourteen females and eight males were available at the beginning of the reproductive season in 2009 and organised into eight families (1 male/1-2 females) kept in floor pens. Birds received a photoperiod of 14L:10D and were fed ad libitum. Breeding performance was recorded from March to June. Egg production and egg weight were recorded daily; eggs were set every two weeks and fertility, embryo mortality and hatchability were recorded. Mean egg production was 37% and mean egg weight was 34±3.49 g. High fertility values from 94% to 87% were recorded in the first three settings and the overall mean fertility value was 81.6%. Overall hatchability was only 49.6% owing to a high proportion of dead embryos. Embryo mortality occurred mainly between days 2 and 7 of incubation and during hatching. The highest hatchability values were recorded in settings 1 and 2, 69% and 60% respectively, and a large decrease was found in the subsequent settings. Marked variations in egg production, fertility, hatchability and embryo mortality were found among families. The present results represent the basic knowledge of reproductive parameters necessary to improve the reproductive efficiency of the breed within a conservation plan.

Genome-Wide SNP Analysis Reveals the Population Structure and the Conservation Status of 23 Italian Chicken Breeds

“…For instance, the SIC breed derives from the ancient inter-breeding of local Sicilian chickens with North African stocks [29]. PPP and MER belong to the same macro group in the MDS analysis; however, their genetic structure and identity are significantly different, even if they are dwarf breeds [7,30]. Finally, the commercial stocks show a close genetic identity with the PER, PRL, and PRM breeds, as confirmed by MDS and phylogenetic analysis; however, the genetic structure allows the discrimination of a subgroup in which only PER has the same genetic background as the commercial breeds ( Figure 3, from K = 2 to 6).…”

Effect of Genotype and Transport on Tonic Immobility and Heterophil/Lymphocyte Ratio in Two Local Italian Breeds and Isa Brown Hens Kept Under Free-Range Conditions

“…Some studies have been performed to characterize other Italian breeds (Castellini et al, 2002;Cerolini et al, 2010;Dal Bosco et al, 2012;Madeddu et al, 2013;Mugnai et al, 2009Mugnai et al, , 2011Zanetti et al, 2010Zanetti et al, , 2011. Nevertheless, some experimental trials have been carried out concerning poultry response (in terms of ethological and physiological welfare indicators) to several factors, such as the type of rearing system (from cages to free-range), crating and transport, in Spanish chicken breeds (Campo and Carnicer, 1993;Campo et al, 2001Campo et al, , 2008Campo et al, , 2012, and in laying hens and broiler chickens (Scott et al, 1998;Zulkifli et al, 2000Zulkifli et al, , 2001Salamano et al, 2010).…”

Conservation of Local Turkish and Italian Chicken Breeds: A Case Study

“…Rural areas have decreased, modern animal production systems are highly intensified and standardised, and highly productive breeds have become globally distributed and preferred to local breeds. This situation is greatly enhanced in the poultry sector, where only selected strains are reared for meat and egg production (Cerolini et al, 2010). With the introduction of commercial species, many local chicken breeds in Italy became extinct, as did in other countries of the world.…”