Morphological Characterization of Indigenous Chickens in Silti, Dalocha, and Wulbareg Woredas of Silte Zone, South Region, Ethiopia

Eyob Tagesse Habdollo; Gebeyehu Goshu

Abstract

A survey together with visual observation and body measurement was conducted in twelve selected farmers' kebeles of Silti, Dalocha, and Wulbareg woredas, located in the Silte zone south region of Ethiopia; to characterize the morphological characteristics of domestic indigenous chicken. Data on visual appraisal and linear body measurements were obtained from 600 matured local chickens of both sexes drawn from 120 households. Five mature chickens (aged more than 6 months) from each household were used for the morphological characteristics study. The results indicated that the majority of the male chickens possessed plain head shape (94.7%) and most of them had rose combs (69.7%), grayish ('Gebsma') plumage (49%), yellow shank (58.6%), white and red earlobes (47.1%) and ash skin (46.6%). The majority of the hens possessed rose combs (63.8%), white and red earlobes (47.2%), yellow shank (47.7%), grayish ('Gebsma') plumage (48.5%) followed by black ('Tem') (22.1%) and red ('Kei')/red with black tail (11%). The cocks were generally heavier (1.8 kg) than the hens (1.3 kg). The values for wingspan, comb length, beak length, body weight, breast angle, and keel bone length differed (P< 0.05) across the study woredas. The best predictor for assessing the body weight of the chicken was the shank length and wattle length. The current study indicates that indigenous chickens within side the examined region own beneficial economic traits that could be improved through systematic breeding for enhanced productivity, health care, housing, and feeding are required under scavenging production systems.

Abstract

Keywords