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Morphological, reproductive and productive characteristics of Sudanese native chicken

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2014

C.E. Wani*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Bahr Elgazal, Wau, South Sudan
I.A. Yousif
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Animal Production, Khartoum North, University of Khartoum, Sudan
M.E. Ibrahim
Affiliation:
Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Khartoum
H.H. Musa
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratories, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Khartoum
K.M. Elamin
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Khartoum North
*
Correspondence to: C.E. Wani, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Bahr Elgazal, South Sudan. email: [email protected]; tel.: + 249912390684
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Summary

A structured questionnaire was administered to 40 households in each of the three localities (Bahri, Dilling and Abu-neama). Morphological characteristics of 900 chickens were physically examined. Data analysis showed that the average flock size per household was 16.7 and that it varied significantly among localities. The flock structure study showed that 46.1 percent were chicks and growers, 34.6 percent hens and 19.35 percent cocks. Regarding the ecotypes, the flock was composed of 75.7, 8.8 and 15.5 percent large Beladi (LB), bare neck (BN) and Betwil (BT) dwarf, respectively. The Sudanese indigenous chicken are characterized by wide phenotypic variation. The plumage colour frequencies were mixed colour (37.8 percent), light brown (16.5 percent), black (13.1 percent), grey (3.5 percent) and white (6.2 percent). Feathering did not show a well-defined pattern; however, the few birds whose feathering pattern could be identified were crown feather (7.0 percent), partridge (3.5 percent), barred (3.5 percent), laced (3.1 percent) and frizzled (0.01 percent). The average adult body weight was 1 650.5 ± 125 g in males and 1 187 ± 70 g in females. Hens reached sexual maturity at 6.5 months and layed 13.2 eggs/clutch in 3–3.5 clutches per year. The average egg weight was 40.8 ± 1.6 g and the hatchability rate under natural incubation was 71.8 percent. The BN ecotype had significantly (P < 0.01) poorer maternal care (57.7 percent hatchability) compared with the other types (LB and BT).

Résumé

Se facilitó un cuestionario estructurado a 40 hogares en cada uno de los siguientes tres municipios: Bahri, Dilling y Abu-neama. Se examinaron las características morfológicas de 900 aves. El análisis de los datos mostró que el número medio de aves por hogar fue de 16.7, aunque varió de manera significativa entre localidades. El estudio de la estructura de los gallineros reveló que el 46.1 por ciento eran pollitos y pollos en crecimiento, el 34.6 por ciento gallinas y el 19.35 por ciento gallos. En lo que concierne a los ecotipos, los gallineros se componían en un 75.7 por ciento, en un 8.8 por ciento y en un 15.5 por ciento de Gran Beladi, Cuello Pelado y Betwil Enana, respectivamente. Las gallinas autóctonas sudanesas se caracterizan por una amplia variación fenotípica. En el plumaje, se dieron los siguientes colores: color mixto (37.8 por ciento), marrón claro (16.5 por ciento), negro (13.1 por ciento), gris (3.5 por ciento) y blanco (6.2 por ciento). El plumaje no presentó un patrón bien definido; no obstante, en las pocas aves en que se pudo identificar un patrón para el plumaje, éste era con copete en un 7.0 por ciento, perdiz en un 3.5 por ciento, barrado en un 3.5 por ciento, ribeteado en un 3.1 por ciento y rizado en un 0.01 por ciento. El peso corporal medio de los adultos fue de 1650.5 ± 125 g en los machos y de 1187 ± 70 g en las hembras. Las gallinas alcanzaron la madurez sexual a los 6.5 meses y pusieron 13.2 huevos por nidada, con 3 a 3.5 nidadas por año. El peso medio de los huevos fue de 40.8 ± 1.6 g y la tasa de incubabilidad en incubación natural fue de un 71.8 por ciento. El ecotipo Cuello Pelado mostró un instinto materno significativamente menor (57.7 por ciento de incubabilidad, P < 0.01) que el de los otros ecotipos (Gran Beladi y Betwil).

Resumen

Un questionnaire structuré a été fourni à 40 foyers dans chacune des trois localités suivantes: Bahri, Dilling et Abu-neama. Les caractéristiques morphologiques de 900 volailles y ont été examinées. D’après l’analyse des données, le nombre moyen d’oiseaux par foyer a été de 16.7, avec une variation significative entre localités. L’étude de la structure des poulaillers a mis en évidence que le 46.1 pour cent des oiseaux étaient des poussins et des poulets en croissance, le 34.6 pour cent des poules et le 19.35 pour cent des coqs. Pour ce qui est des écotypes, les poulaillers se composaient à 75.7 pour cent, 8.8 pour cent et 15.5 pour cent de Grand Beladi, Cou Nu et Betwil Naine, respectivement. Les poules autochtones du Soudan se caractérisent par une grande variation phénotypique. Les suivantes couleurs ont été observées dans le plumage: mélange de couleurs (37.8 pour cent), marron clair (16.5 pour cent), noir (13.1 pour cent), gris (3.5 pour cent) et blanc (6.2 pour cent). Bien que le plumage n’ait pas présenté un motif bien défini, les motifs suivants ont été reconnus sur le plumage d’un petit nombre d’oiseaux: à huppe (7.0 pour cent), perdrix (3.5 pour cent), barré (3.5 pour cent), dentelé (3.1 pour cent) et frisé (0.01 pour cent). Le poids corporel moyen des adultes a été de 1650.5 ± 125 g chez les mâles et de 1187 ± 70 g chez les femelles. Les poules ont atteint la maturité sexuelle aux 6.5 mois et elles ont pondu 13.2 œufs par couvée, avec 3 à 3.5 couvées par an. Le poids moyen de l’œuf a été de 40.8 ± 1.6 g et le taux d’éclosion, sous conditions naturelles d’incubation, a été de 71.8 pour cent. Compte tenu d’un taux d’éclosion plus bas (57.7 pour cent, P < 0.01) par rapport aux autres écotypes (Grand Beladi et Betwil), les poules de l’écotype Cou Nu sembleraient avoir un plus faible instinct maternel.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2014 

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