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The past, present and future genetic improvement of indigenous chicken of Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 December 2014

J.O. Khobondo ,
T.O. Okeno ,
G.O. Lihare ,
C.B. Wasike  and
A.K. Kahi
J.O. Khobondo*
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115Egerton, Kenya
T.O. Okeno
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115Egerton, Kenya Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, PO Box 50, 8830Tjele, Denmark
G.O. Lihare
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115Egerton, Kenya Department of Animal Sciences, Maseno University, PO Box private Bag, Maseno, Kenya
C.B. Wasike
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, Maseno University, PO Box private Bag, Maseno, Kenya
A.K. Kahi
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115Egerton, Kenya
*
Correspondence to: J.O. Khobondo, Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, PO Box 536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya. email: jkhobondo@gmail.com
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Summary

Genetic improvement of farm animals encompasses both mating and selection for desired traits and indigenous chicken genetic resources are no exception. In Kenya, previous attempts to genetically improve indigenous chicken involved cross-breeding scheme by utilizing cockerels and pullets of exotic breeds with the local indigenous chicken. This scheme was complimented with farmer training on good management practices and vaccination for disease control. The scheme was partially successful with improved performance in the crossbreds that declined with subsequent generations. Failure of the programme to meet stakeholder's expectation led to its’ termination. The current attempt through the Smallholder Indigenous Chicken Improvement Programme has initiated an holistic and comprehensive approach to analysing the entire indigenous chicken actors and avert the causes of previous failures. The programme has genetically and phenotypically characterized the chicken; established reference/base population collected from different ecotypes/counties, established the breeding goals and designed breeding programmes that best suit the Kenyan stakeholders. The on-station research has reported variation on production traits, determined heritability estimate on growth. Current and ongoing research is focused on molecular characterization, selection for improved immune response, carcass quality, eggs production, growth and adaptation traits. The research is also concerned with conservation of these genetic resources.

Résumé

Lorsque l'on cherche à améliorer les caractères des animaux d’élevage, il faut envisager aussi bien les accouplements que la sélection génétique et en cela les ressources génétiques avicoles autochtones ne font pas exception. Au Kenya, les tentatives passées d'amélioration génétique des poules autochtones consistaient à croiser de jeunes mâles et femelles de races exotiques avec des coqs et des poules indigènes. Ce programme était complété par des formations aux éleveurs en bonnes pratiques de gestion et vaccination pour le contrôle des maladies. Ce système a joui d'un certain succès en raison de l'amélioration des performances que l'on atteignait sur les animaux croisés. Cependant, les résultats se détérioraient dans les générations suivantes. La non réponse aux attentes des acteurs impliqués conduisit à l'abandon de ce programme.

Actuellement, le Programme pour l'Amélioration des Poules Autochtones des Petits Éleveurs, suivant une approche holiste et intégratrice, prétend prendre en considération tous les acteurs impliqués dans l’élevage des poules autochtones afin d’éviter des échecs comme ceux survenus dans le passé. Le programme a caractérisé les poules aussi bien du point de vue génétique que phénotypique, a créé une population de référence constituée de poules de différents écotypes et départements, a fixé les objectifs de la sélection et a conçu les schémas de sélection qui satisfont le plus les parties prenantes kényanes. La recherche menée à la station a décelé une certaine variabilité dans les caractères productifs et a permis d'estimer l'héritabilité de la croissance. La recherche présente et future s'oriente vers la caractérisation moléculaire et la sélection pour l'amélioration de la réponse immunitaire, la qualité de la carcasse, la production d’œufs, la croissance et les caractéristiques d'adaptation. La recherche vise de même à conserver ces ressources génétiques.

Resumen

Cuando se desea mejorar cierto carácter en los animales de granja se debe prestar atención tanto a los apareamientos como a la selección genética y en ello los recursos genéticos avícolas autóctonos no son una excepción. En Kenia, los intentos pasados por mejorar la genética de las gallinas autóctonas consistieron en el cruzamiento de machos y hembras jóvenes de razas exóticas con gallos y gallinas autóctonos. Este esquema se completaba con la formación de los ganaderos en buenas prácticas de manejo y vacunación para la prevención de enfermedades. Este esquema resultó en cierto modo exitoso por la mejora de los rendimientos productivos que se alcanzaba en los animales cruzados. Sin embargo, los rendimientos empeoraban en las generaciones siguientes. La no satisfacción de las expectativas de las partes interesadas hizo que se acabase abandonando este programa.

En la actualidad, el Programa para la Mejora de las Gallinas Autóctonas de los Pequeños Propietarios pretende, con la adopción de un enfoque holístico e integrador, tener en cuenta a todos los agentes implicados en la cría de las gallinas autóctonas para así evitar que se repitan fracasos como los anteriores. El programa ha caracterizado las gallinas tanto desde un punto de vista genético como fenotípico, ha establecido una población base de referencia formada por aves de diferentes ecotipos y provincias, ha marcado los objetivos de la mejora y ha diseñado los esquemas de selección que, en mayor medida, satisfacen a los agentes keniatas implicados. La investigación llevada a cabo en la estación ha sacado a la luz la existencia de cierta variabilidad en los caracteres productivos y ha permitido estimar la heredabilidad del crecimiento. La investigación presente y futura va encaminada a la caracterización molecular y a la selección para la mejora de la respuesta inmune, la calidad de la canal, la producción de huevos, el crecimiento y las características de adaptación. La investigación busca asimismo la conservación de estos recursos genéticos.

Keywords

indigenous chickenKenyagenetic improvementgenotypesbreeding programmespoules autochtonesKenyaamélioration génétiquegénotypesprogrammes de sélectiongallinas autóctonasKeniamejora genéticagenotiposprogramas de selección
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 55 , December 2014 , pp. 125 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2014 

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