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

Abstract

The study was accomplished to identify the characteristics of village chickens' (VCs) genetic resources in the Abu-Dhabi Emirate of United Arab Emirate (UAE) and to study factors affecting these characteristics. Each bird was individually observed, identified, measured and characterized of thirteen VCs pure breeds and crossbreds. The overall VCs had normal feather morphology (95.1%) and distribution (77%). Except for Fayomi chickens which were 100% mottled, no specific plumage pattern was found. Almost 52% of the VCs had white skins. Six different colors were reported for the shanks and maximized for white shanks (34.3%). Large breasts (46%) were more available. The predominant plumage color was mixed colors (37.5%). Face size tended to be small (42.8%) to medium (40.4%). More brown (48.9%) then orange (27.3%) eyes were found. Dark (49.7%) beaks were more available than white (28.6%) or yellow (21.7%) beaks. The distribution of wattle colors was similar to that of ear-lob colors with some variation. Small wattles (41.9%) were most available. Single comb (82.4%) is the most available; 11 other types and one with no comb were represented with low frequencies. In the whole sample, red and white combs (56.7%) were the most available; however, plain red (23.8%) and red and black (15.5%) were represented. Results of factors influence showed that body weight was high significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by the interaction between both breed and region and breed and sex. Significant (P < 0.01) influence of interaction was observed between breed and location on body length, wing span and shank length. The interaction between breed and sex only significantly (P < 0.01) influenced shank length. Though, all main effects of breed, sex and region significantly (P < 0.01) influenced continuous measures. Most morphological characteristics were significantly (P < 0.01) different

Relationships Between Morphological Characteristics of Roosters in Broiler Breeders at Different Age Periods

“…The comb and wattle size are related to gonadal development and sex hormone secretion (Nesheim et al, 1979). According to Tabbaa and Hassanin (2018) a numerical difference in comb size frequencies among different breeds was observed however no significant difference was noticed. In the study, there were positive correlations between comb length and wattle length, width, area (P<0.0001; P<0.001; P<0.0001); also, there were positive correlations between comb width and wattle length, wattle area at 53 WOA (P<0.05).…”

Common Somali Indigenous Chicken Breeds, in Mogadishu, Somalia

“…Tabbaa, and Hassanin, (2018) investigated Factors Influencing the Morphological Characteristics of Village Chickens' Genetic Resources in the Abu Dhabi Emirate and discovered that there were numerous Village Chicken breeds (13 breeds and crossbreds) with phenotypic variation. The morphological traits of the many breeds raised in the Abu-Dhabi Emirate reflect this phenotypic variance (Tabbaa, and Hassanin, 2018).…”