Comparative study of adaptation in three chicken genotypes under humid tropical conditions of Nigeria

Abstract

Adaptation of Nigerian indigenous chickens (NIC), FUNAAB‐α (F‐α) and Transylvanian naked neck chickens (TNN) raised during hot‐dry season under humid tropical environment was compared during a 4‐week period. A well‐adapted NIC (n = 12; 6 males and 6 females), a newly developed F‐α (n = 12; 6 male and 6 females) and a newly introduced TNN (n = 12; 6 male and 6 females) chickens aged 36 weeks were used for this experiment. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature on comb (COM), wattle (WAT), breast (BRE) and under wings (WIN) were monitored between 13.00 and 14.00h twice a week for four weeks. Wattle temperature (p = .017) and BRE (p = .000) differ significantly among the genotypes. Transylvanian naked neck chickens recorded higher WAT than NIC, though not different from F‐α. Nigerian indigenous chickens had lower BRE temperature than other two genotypes. Significantly higher WAT (p < .001) and WIN (p < .05) were recorded in cocks than in laying hens. In contrast, laying hens had significantly (p < .001) higher RR and HSI than cocks. There was interactive (p < .05) effect of sex and genotype on BRE. Nigerian indigenous cocks and hens exhibited lower BRE than others, except F‐α cock. There were positive significant correlations between WIN and WAT in the three genotypes. In NIC, COM had positive correlation with WAT (r = .532) and WIN (r = .696). Heart rate was positively correlated with WAT (r = .608) and WIN (r = .697) in F‐α, and WIN (r = .512) in TNN chickens. In conclusion, the three genotypes can adequately adapt to the prevailing conditions of humid tropics. Reduction of feather on the neck and breast and higher heat loss capacity in TNN chickens could help the birds adapt to hot‐humid environment. The two sexes could adapt to the tropical region. Cocks lose body heat predominantly via non‐evaporative means while hens employ evaporative heat loss mechanism.

Research Note: Effect of egg storage length on spread of hatch window, chick quality, and organ development in Transylvanian naked neck chickens

“…Transylvanian naked neck ( TNN ) chickens, also known as Turken and reputed for high thermotolerance ( Pârvu et al, 2007 ), have just been recently introduced to humid tropical region in Nigeria and reported by Abioja et al (2020b) . The chickens are well-known in the Asia, indigenous to Hungary, found in hill regions of Transylvania in Romania but new to the region of south-western Nigeria.…”

“…The physical features of TNN chickens were described by Roberts (2008) . Adaptation capability, egg production, quality, and hatchability of TNN chickens were recently compared with Nigerian local ( NL ) and Fα chickens ( Abioja et al, 2020b ; Omotara et al, 2020 ). Transylvanian naked neck chickens are found to possess the capacity to adapt and survive under the prevailing hot conditions of the tropics.…”

Semen quality and sperm characteristics in broiler breeder cockerels fed vitamin E during hot season

“…In this study, the mean temperature and THI recorded (31.4 and 98.8°C respectively) were high because the experiment took place during hot season (Abioja et al, 2020). Elevated environmental temperature imposes stress on chickens (Al-Fataftah & Abu-Dieyeh, 2007).…”

The Naked Neck Gene in the Domestic Chicken: A Genetic Strategy to Mitigate the Impact of Heat Stress in Poultry Production—A Review

“…For each unit increase in THI, there is an increase of 0.56 breaths per minute [ 27 ]. According to a recent study conducted by Abioja et al [ 28 ], at 31 °C and 69% humidity (THI 84), the respiratory rate can be 40–43 BPM and the heart rate 320–350 bpm. A heart rate over 300 bpm is an indicator that the birds are under stress.…”