In situ and ex situ assessment of a native Hungarian chicken breed for its potential conservation and adaptation in the subtropics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptation and possible ex situ conservation in a subtropical region of the Partridge coloured Hungarian (PH), a native Hungarian chicken breed, by monitoring and comparing the performance of two PH flocks reared in parallel in Hungary (HU) and Vietnam (VN). The high survival rate (95.0–96.5%), overall productivity and reproductive ability of the VN flock confirmed the adaptation potential of PH chickens to subtropical climates. A relatively good bodyweight (1412 ± 13.8 g) and slaughter yield (75.6 ± 0.02% eviscerated carcass and 28.2 ± 0.12% deboned thigh meat) in male VN birds at 12 weeks of age was obtained. Moreover, it was found that benefits such as the number of eggs (112 eggs/layer in 7 months) and egg mass (6.1 kg/layer) alongside considerably higher fertility (85.9 ± 2.9%) and hatchability (82.0 ± 3.2%) of VN layers could outweigh their reduced egg size. As a result, the study confirms that the adaptation and maintenance of populations in subtropical regions is a promising agro-ecological way to protect native Hungarian chicken breeds and improve their involvement in production.

Organization and Management of Conservation Programs and Research in Domestic Animal Genetic Resources

“…The national committee of domestic animal biodiversity would be responsible for matters related to domestic animal genetic resources conservation, coordinating all the national activities under development in the country in question ( Figure 2). Breeder associations, cooperatives, clubs, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), universities and research centers, local administrations, and sometimes individual farmers are the primary units to run projects and programs based on in situ and/or ex situ methods [18]. The objective is the maintenance of domestic animal diversity through the conservation of breeds and other genetic structures and/or maximizing intrapopulation genetic variability by means of the implementation of correct genetic management.…”

Gene Rescue Programme to Protect Local Farm Animal Breeds and Ecotypes in the Carpathian Basin: “The Gene Ring” – “A Gengyuru”

“…Setting up herds and flocks of conserved breeds and crossings for production purposes can be included here if the basic principles of conservation are taken into consideration. HU-BA (abbreviation of Hungarikum Baromfi which means Hungaricum Poultry in English) programme can be an example for utilisation within gene conservation of old Hungarian poultry breeds in rural development and production in Hungary [4] and in Southeast-Asia [11], [12].…”