Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes in Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in three districts of Awi zone in Amhara region, with the aim to characterize and identify the phenotypic variation of indigenous chicken ecotypes. A total of 720 indigenous chicken ecotypes were (504) females and (216) males from the whole districts) to describe qualitative and quantitative traits. Local chicken were mostly normally feathered and large phenotypic variability among ecotypes was observed for plumage color. A many plumage colors were identified in all districts in which Red in high-land and mid-land and Gebsima (grayish) colours in low-land were the predominant color of the study area beside a large diversity. The average body weight of local chickens in high-land, mid-land and low-land agro-ecologies were 1.476, 1.75 and 1.71kg respectively, while the respective values for mature cocks and hens were 1.78 and 1.51kg. Variations were also observed in shank length, chest circumference, body length, neck length, wingspan, wing length, comb width, comb length and shank circumference. In conclusion, there is diversity of indigenous chicken population and farmers’ preference of different traits that may invite to design community based genetic improvement. These were recommended in poultry breeding policy which focused on managemental system, selection, and trait preference should be designed.