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Phenotypic characterization of local Ghanaian chickens: egg-laying performance under improved management conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2015

R. Osei-Amponsah
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
B.B. Kayang*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
A. Naazie
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Centre (ARC), University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
M. Tiexier-Boichard
Affiliation:
INRA/AgroParis Tech, UMR 1236 Génétique et Diversité Animales 78352 Jous-en Josas, France
X. Rognon
Affiliation:
INRA/AgroParis Tech, UMR 1236 Génétique et Diversité Animales 78352 Jous-en Josas, France
*
Correspondence to: B.B. Kayang, Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. email: bbkayang@hotmail.com/bbkayang@ug.edu.gh
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Summary

Egg production performance of 571 local Ghanaian chickens and 107 SASSO T44 chickens kept under improved management conditions were analysed. Average egg weight, hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined for the three experimental chicken ecotypes. Hen-day production was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the savannah local chicken ecotype than the forest ecotype and SASSO T44 chickens. Egg weights of local Ghanaian chickens compared favourably with values reported for local chickens in Africa. On the average, SASSO T44 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher egg weights and feed intake compared with the local chicken ecotypes. The local chicken ecotypes on the other hand, had significantly (P < 0.05) better feed conversion ratios than SASSO T44 chicken. Local Ghanaian chicken ecotypes have a more efficient FCR per every unit of egg produced compared with the control population. Low feed intake, good feed conversion ratios and adaptation to the environment are traits local chicken harbour which can be exploited in future breeding programmes to improve on chicken meat and egg production in Ghana. Ghanaian local chickens could thus be a valuable genetic resource for the development of an efficient egg production chicken breed adaptable to the humid tropical climates.

Résumé

Des paramètres en rapport avec la production d’œufs ont été analysés chez 571 poules locales ghanéennes et chez 107 poules SASSO T44 soumises à des pratiques d’élevage perfectionnées. Le poids moyen des œufs, la production d’œufs par poule et jour et la conversion alimentaire ont été évalués chez trois écotypes de poule. La production quotidienne d’œufs par poule a été significativement (P < 0.05) plus élevée chez l’écotype local de poule de la savane que chez l’écotype de la forêt et que chez les poules SASSO T44. Compte tenu des valeurs de référence pour les poules locales africaines, les œufs des poules locales ghanéennes ont atteint un poids plutôt élevé. En moyenne, le poids des œufs et la consommation d'aliment ont été significativement (P < 0.05) plus élevés chez les poules SASSO T44 que chez les écotypes locaux de poule. Cependant, les écotypes locaux de poule ont présenté un taux de conversion alimentaire significativement (P < 0.05) meilleur que celui des poules SASSO T44. Les écotypes locaux de poule ghanéenne ont présenté une conversion alimentaire par unité d’œuf produite plus efficiente que celle de la population contrôle. Une moindre consommation d'aliment, un bon taux de conversion alimentaire et l'adaptation à l'environnement sont des traits caractéristiques des poules locales qui peuvent être exploités dans des futurs programmes de sélection afin d'améliorer les productions de viande de poulet et d’œufs au Ghana. Ainsi, les poules locales ghanéennes pourraient constituer une ressource génétique précieuse pour le développement d'une race de poule efficiente dans la production d’œufs et capable de s'adapter à des climats tropicaux humides.

Resumen

Se analizaron parámetros de producción de huevos en 571 gallinas locales ghanesas y en 107 gallinas SASSO T44 explotadas bajo condiciones de manejo mejoradas. Se evaluaron el peso medio de los huevos, la producción de huevos por gallina y día y la conversión del alimento para tres ecotipos de gallina. La producción de huevos por gallina y día fue significativamente (P < 0.05) mayor en el ecotipo local de gallinas de la sabana que en el ecotipo de la selva o que en las gallinas SASSO T44. Teniendo en cuenta los valores de referencia para las gallinas locales de África, los huevos de las gallinas locales ghanesas alcanzaron un peso más bien alto. De media, el peso de los huevos y el consumo de alimento fueron significativamente (P < 0.05) mayores en las gallinas SASSO T44 que en los ecotipos locales de gallina. Sin embargo, los ecotipos locales de gallina presentaron un índice de conversión del alimento significativamente (P < 0.05) mejor que el de las gallinas SASSO T44. Los ecotipos locales de gallina ghanesa mostraron una conversión del alimento por unidad de huevo producida más eficiente que la de la población control. Un bajo consumo de alimento, un buen índice de conversión del pienso y la adaptación al entorno son rasgos característicos de las gallinas locales que pueden ser explotados en futuros programas de selección con el fin de mejorar las producciones de carne de pollo y de huevos en Ghana. Así, las gallinas locales ghanesas podrían representar un valioso recurso genético para el desarrollo de una raza de gallina eficiente en la producción de huevos y con capacidad de adaptación a climas tropicales húmedos.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2015 

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