Farmers’ breeding practices and traits of economic importance for indigenous chicken in RWANDA

Abstract

Data on breeding practices and traits of economic importance for the indigenous chicken (IC) were collected through personal interviews using structured questionnaires and direct observations of chicken management practices. The study was conducted from November 2015 to January 2016 in Rwamagana, Rulindo, Ruhango, Kicukiro and Muhanga districts of Rwanda. Data were collected and analysed through computation of indices, which represented a weighted average of all rankings of a specific trait. Spearman's non-parametric rank correlation was calculated for ranking of traits of economic importance to indicate the directional effects. The results on chicken ecotypes and their attributes showed that prolificacy, mature weight, disease tolerance, egg number and heat tolerance were highly preferred. The dwarf ecotype was most abundantly reared (38.84%) and considered to be significantly smaller and to have poorer growth rate, but to have better prolificacy than other indigenous chicken ecotypes. Selection of breeding cock and hen was based on disease tolerance, body weight at sexual maturity, body size and growth rate. In addition, for hen, mothering ability and egg fertility (Fer) were considered. Indices for the traits perceived by farmers as of primary economic importance were egg yield (0.093), disease tolerance (0.091), high growth rate (0.089), prolificacy (0.088), high body weight (0.087) and egg fertility (0.083). The most important traits considered by the marketers were body weight (BW), disease tolerance (Dtol), plumage colour (Pcol), egg yolk colour (EYC), meat quality (MQ), growth rate (GR) and egg yield (EY) whereas for consumers, meat quality, egg yolk colour, egg yield, body weight and growth rate were considered. Among traits perceived as important by farmers, a positive and significant correlation was found between BW and GR and Fer. Correlation was moderate for BW and prolificacy, drought tolerance (Drtol), Dtol and EYC. BW was negatively correlated with temperament (Temp), heat tolerance, Pcol and egg shell colour (ESC). Regarding marketers and consumers' preference rank correlation, positive and significant correlation was between BW and GR and MQ. As such, appropriate ecotypes (indigenous chicken) which have these characteristics need to be identified and utilised more based on their performance and adaption to the environment conditions to ensure efficient IC production.

Farmers’ choice of genotypes and trait preferences in tropically adapted chickens in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria

“…However, this genotype is renowned for its high adaptability to the prevailing hot-dry tropical environment of Nigeria (Yakubu and Ari 2018) and good scavenging ability. Some of the merits indicated by farmers for the choice of a BSC body size-cock, BSH body size-hen, SFC supplementary feed consumption-cock, SFH supplementary feed consumption-hen, ENH egg numberhen, EZH egg size-hen, SAC scavenging ability-cock, SAH scavenging ability-hen, MTC meat taste-cock, MTH meat taste-hen, ESC ease of salescock, ESH ease of sales-hen, SD standard deviation a The lower the mean, the more important the trait particular genotype in the current study are similar to the egg productivity, body size and fast growth traits reported by Sisay et al 2018and Mahoro et al (2018). Gender differences in the present study as regards the choice of Sasso chicken breed BSC body size-cock, BSH body size-hen, SFC supplementary feed consumption-cock, SFH supplementary feed consumption-hen, ENH egg number-hen, EZH egg size-hen, SAC scavenging ability-cock, SAH scavenging ability-hen, MTC meat taste-cock, MTH meat taste-hen, ESC ease of sales-cock, ESH ease of sales-hen a The lower the mean, the more important the trait may be attributed to poultry keeping objectives and varied importance attached to the chicken genotype by both male and female farmers.…”

“…The observation on body size is in consonance with the findings of Muchadeyi et al (2009) where the trait was ranked first among the criteria for choosing chicken breeding stock. Similarly, Mahoro et al (2018) included body size and egg yield among the important economic traits to select the indigenous chickens. In a related study, Markos et al (2016) ranked egg number and body weight as first and second, respectively, while Asmelash et al (2018) reported that egg size was highly rated compared to other traits in village chicken.…”

Genetic diversity and population structure of indigenous chicken in Rwanda using microsatellite markers

“…However, these programmes have not been sustainable due to decreased broodiness in the hybridized birds, unpredictable stock, and the high cost of buying and sustaining exotic cocks for breeding purposes. Additionally, recent global efforts to preserve native genetic resources pose a threat to such programmes [4]. There is, therefore, a need for the development of an alternative strategy to genetic improvement and conservation of IC.…”

Genetic diversity and population structure of indigenous chicken in Rwanda using microsatellite markers

“…These programmes, however, are not sustainable because of unpredictable stock and the prohibitive cost of buying and sustaining exotic cocks for breeding purposes in addition to decreased broodiness in the hybridized birds. Additionally, recent global efforts to preserve native genetic resources pose a threat to such programmes, [3]. There is, therefore, the need for an alternative approach to genetic improvement and conservation of IC.…”

“…Nonetheless, genetic enhancements need a resolute breeding objective, sustainable breeding plans, and an in-depth comprehension of the genetic diversity of prevailing genotypes and ecotypes [4]. Therefore, elucidating the genetic characteristics of the prevailing IC stock will not only augment genetic enhancement but will also expedite their preservation [3]. However, there is a scarcity of data on the genetic diversity of IC in Rwanda.…”