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Phenotypic and genetic parameters for production traits of local chickens in Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 September 2013

R. Osei-Amponsah ,
B.B. Kayang  and
A. Naazie
R. Osei-Amponsah*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 226, Legon, Ghana
B.B. Kayang
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 226, Legon, Ghana
A. Naazie
Affiliation:
Livestock and Poultry Research Centre (LIPREC), University of Ghana, PO Box LG 38, Legon, Ghana
*
Correspondence to: R. Osei-Amponsah, Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 226, Legon, Ghana. email: roamponsah@ug.edu.gh
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Summary

Characterization of indigenous animal genetic resources is a first step in providing much needed information for the conservation and utilization of useful genotypes for future needs. The study was undertaken to estimate heritability of traits of economic importance in local chicken populations from the forest and savannah zones of Ghana. A restricted maximum likelihood animal model was applied to growth data of local chickens from hatch to 40 weeks to estimate heritability, phenotypic and genotypic correlations of body weight and shank length. Heritability, phenotypic and genotypic correlations were also calculated for egg number and egg weight. High genetic and phenotypic correlations were obtained between body weight and shank length. Average heritability estimates were 0.54, 0.42, 0.30 and 0.47 for body weight, shank length, egg number and egg weight, respectively. These moderate-to-high heritability estimates indicate that these traits could be targeted in genetic improvement programmes for local chickens.

Résumé

La caractérisation des ressources zoogénétiques indigènes s'avère un premier pas dans la fourniture de l'information nécessaire à la conservation et utilisation des génotypes utiles aux besoins futurs. Cette étude a été entreprise dans le but d'estimer l'héritabilité de caractères à importance économique chez les populations de poules locales des zones de forêt et de savane du Ghana. Un modèle animal d'estimation du maximum de vraisemblance restreint (REML, de par ses sigles en anglais) a été appliqué aux performances de croissance de poulets locaux, depuis l'éclosion jusqu'aux 40 semaines, pour estimer l'héritabilité et les corrélations phénotypiques et génotypiques du poids corporel et de la longueur des tarses. L'héritabilité et les corrélations phénotypiques et génotypiques ont aussi été calculées pour le nombre d'œufs et le poids de l'œuf. Des corrélations génétiques et phénotypiques élevées ont été obtenues entre le poids corporel et la longueur des tarses. Les estimations moyennes d'héritabilité ont été respectivement de 0,54, 0,42, 0,30 et 0,47 pour le poids corporel, la longueur des tarses, le nombre d'œufs et le poids de l'œuf. Ces estimations d'héritabilité modérées à élevées indiquent que ces caractères pourraient faire l'objet de programmes d'amélioration génétique des poules locales.

Resumen

La caracterización de los recursos zoogenéticos autóctonos es un primer paso en la generación de la información necesaria para la conservación y utilización de los genotipos útiles para las necesidades futuras. Este estudio fue emprendido con el fin de estimar la heredabilidad de los caracteres de importancia económica en las poblaciones de gallinas locales de las zonas de selva y de sabana de Ghana. Se aplicó un modelo animal de máxima verosimilitud restringida (REML, por sus siglas en inglés) a los datos de crecimiento de pollos locales, desde la eclosión hasta las 40 semanas, para estimar la heredabilidad y las correlaciones fenotípicas y genotípicas del peso corporal y la longitud de los tarsos. La heredabilidad y las correlaciones fenotípicas y genotípicas también fueron calculadas para el número de huevos y el peso del huevo. Se obtuvieron unas altas correlaciones genéticas y fenotípicas entre el peso corporal y la longitud de los tarsos. Las estimas medias de heredabilidad fueron, respectivamente, de 0,54, 0,42, 0,30 y 0,47 para el peso corporal, la longitud de los tarsos, el número de huevos y el peso del huevo. Estas estimas de heredabilidad medias a altas sugieren que estos caracteres podrían ser considerados en programas para la mejora genética de las gallinas locales.

Keywords

phenotypic characterizationgenetic characterizationanimal modelbody weightegg numberegg weightchickensGhanacaractérisation phénotypiquecaractérisation génétiquemodèle animalpoids corporelnombre d'œufspoids de l'œufpoulesGhanacaracterización fenotípicacaracterización genéticamodelo animalpeso corporalnúmero de huevospeso del huevogallinasGhana
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 53 , December 2013 , pp. 45 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2013 

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