Article Abstract

Volume 25, No. (2), 2015 (April)
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO INDIGENOUS CHICKEN ECOTYPES OF PAKISTAN
A. Iqbal, A. Ali, K. Javed, M. Akram, M. Usman, S. Mehmood, J. Hussain and F. Hussnain

A. Iqbal, A. Ali, K. Javed, *M. Akram, *M. Usman, *S. Mehmood, *J. Hussain and *F. Hussnain

Department of  Livestock Production, *Department of Poultry Production, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus, Pattoki

Corresponding Author: amjadiqbaluvas@gmail.com
DOI: NA
Page Number(s): 346-350
Published Online First: April 01, 2015
Publication Date: April 01, 2015
ABSTRACT

Aseel and Naked-neck chickens from various regions of Pakistan were studied (n=200; 100 (40♂, 60♀) in each) for phenotypic characterization based on head appearance; comb type; wattles size; colors and patterns of feathers on neck, breast, wing-bow, wing-bar, wing-bay, saddle and tail; shank color; spurs prevalence, and number of toes. Feather colors and patterns on the neck, breast, wing-bow, wing-bar, wing-bay, saddle and tail (P<0.000) and shank color (P<0.042) differed significantly between ecotypes. Both ecotypes had plain head. All Aseels had pea-comb, no wattles, fully feathered necks, predominantly dark-brown neck feathers (35%), pale-brown breast (32%), wing-bow (33%), wing-bar (35%), wing-bay (35%), saddle (32%) and black/gray tail feathers (44%). Majority (33%) had yellow shanks. Naked-necks possessed single-comb, predominantly medium sized wattles (53%), white/off-white neck (35%) and breast feathers (43%), dark-brown wing-bow feathers (21%), off-white wing-bar (26%) and pale-brown/orange-brown wing-bay (28%), black saddle (22%) and tail feathers (57%), yellow shanks (36%). Both ecotypes had four toes and normal spurs. Among Aseels, some hens also had spurs which is a unique feature not reported in previous studies to the knowledge of the authors. Predominantly both ecotypes had plain feathers but patterns were also present.

Keywords: Phenotype, Aseel, Pakistan, Conservation, Naked-neck

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Journal Impact Factor: 0.5 | (JCR Year: 2025) | Cite Score: 1.3

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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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