Phenotypic Characterization of Indonesian Native Chicken with Different Combs

Abstract

The study was carried out to characterize the qualitative morphological traits of Indonesian native chickens. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male chickens made up of 4 chicken groups based on different comb types (single, pea, rose and walnut) were visually appraised for the qualitative traits. Data on qualitative traits were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared as percentages. Results: In single group, the majority of chickens have dark yellow beak (40%), red-brown crown (50%) and neck feather (50%), black for the feather of chest (50%), abdomen (50%), back (60%), primary (60%) and secondary wings (90%) and tail (40%). In Pea group, the majority of chickens possessed light yellow beak (50%), red-brown crown (40%) and neck feather (40%), white-brown chest feather (40%), black for the feather of abdomen (40%) and back (30%) and black-green tail (40%). In Rose group, most of chickens possessed light-yellow beak (40%), red crown (40%), yellow neck feather (50%), red for the feather of chest (40%) and abdomen (40%), black back feather (60%) and black-white tail (60%). In Walnut group, the majority of chickens have pale yellow beak (50%), red-brown crown (80%) and neck feather (60%), black for the feather of chest (40%), abdomen (40%) and back (30%) and black-white tail (40%). Dark eye, black primary and secondary wings, black thigh feather, light yellow membrane shank and yellow shank were predominant in all chicken groups. Conclusion: Indonesian native chickens possess a considerable phenotypic diversity that could be important for the genetic improvement through systematic breeding strategies.