On-farm comparative evaluation of production performance of tropically adapted exotic chicken breeds in western Amhara, Ethiopia

Comparative Metabolomic Profiling of Eggs from 3 Diverse Chicken Breeds Using GC-MS Analysis

Eggs, as a crucial source of essential nutrients for consumers, possess a high nutritional value owing to their rich composition of vital components essential for human health. While previous research has extensively investigated genetic factors influencing egg quality, there has been a limited focus on exploring the impact of specific strains, particularly within the African context, on the polar metabolite profile of eggs. In this extensive study, we conducted an untargeted analysis of the chemical composition of both albumen and yolk from 3 distinct strains of hens-Blue Holland, Sasso, and Wassache-raised under identical feeding conditions. Utilizing gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we meticulously examined amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and other small polar metabolites. In total, 38 and 44 metabolites were identified in the whites and yolk, respectively, of the 3 studied strains. The application of chemometric analysis revealed notable differences in metabolite profiles with 8 relevant metabolites in each egg part. These metabolites include amino acids (N-α-Acetyl-L-lysine, lysine, L-valine, L-Tryptophan), fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid), and carbohydrates (d-glucose, maltose, lactose). These findings shed light on strain-specific metabolic nuances within eggs, emphasizing potential nutritional implications. The ensuing discussion delves into the diverse metabolic pathways influenced by the identified metabolites, offering insights that contribute to a broader understanding of egg composition and its significance in tailoring nutritional strategies for diverse populations.

Growth performance, survivability and profitability of improved smallholder chicken genetics in Nigeria: A COVID-19 intervention study

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on smallholder farming households (SFH) includes increased poverty, and loss of livelihoods. Provision of livestock to SFH is a helpful intervention to mitigate this impact. This study provided a total of 150 smallholder poultry farmers, randomly selected from three states (Kebbi, Nasarawa, and Imo) in Nigeria, with ten 5-week-old chickens (mixed sexes) each, of either FUNAAB Alpha or Noiler chicken genetics. The improved, dual-purpose chickens were evaluated for growth performance (GP), survivability and profitability. The birds were managed under semi-scavenging production system. Body weight, mortality, and cost of production (COP) were recorded every 4 weeks until 21 weeks of age. Profitability was a function of the COP, and the selling price for live-birds (cocks). Body weight of Noiler (1,927 g) birds was not significantly (p > .05) higher than FUNAAB Alpha (1,792 g) at 21 weeks. Agroecology and genetics had significant (p < .05) effects on GP and survivability. Survivability of FUNAAB Alpha was higher (p < .05) than Noiler, with Nasarawa (81%-96%), having the highest (p < .0001) survival rate compared to Imo (62%-81%), and Kebbi (58%-75%). At 21 weeks, the number of cocks and hens differed significantly (p < .05) within the states (Imo: 2.4 ± .2 and 5.4 ± .3; Kebbi: 2.6 ± .2 and 5.5 ± .3; and Nasarawa: 2.9 ± .2 and 5.8 ± .3). Nasarawa (NGN 7,808; USD 19) ranked best for profitability, followed by Kebbi (NGN 6,545; USD 16) and Imo (NGN 5,875; USD 14). Overall, this study demonstrates that provision of improved chickens to vulnerable SFH in Nigeria holds great potential for economic growth, and resilience during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Genetic Comparisons of Body Weight, Average Daily Gain, and Breast Circumference between Slow-Growing Thai Native Chickens (Pradu Hang dum) Raised On-Site Farm and On-Station

To ensure that any new technology developed within an experimental station is appropriate to the community’s needs and compatible with the existing systems, on-site farm research is an important component in examining the effectiveness of agricultural research. The present study examined the growth performance and genetics of Thai native chickens under conditions typically experienced by farmers on smallholder farms (on-site farms) compared with at an experimental unit (on-station). There were 1694 Thai native chickens (Pradu Hang dum) used in this experiment, and they were divided into 613 chickens for the on-station and 1081 chickens for the on-site farm experiments. The individual chicken data included the birth weight (BW0) and body weight at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age (BW4, BW8, BW12, and BW16, respectively), ADG from 0−4, 4−8, 8−12, 12−16 weeks of age (ADG0−4, ADG4−8, ADG8−12, ADG12−16, respectively), and breast circumference at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age (BrC8, BrC12, BrC16, respectively). A multiple traits animal model and a selection index were used to estimate the variance components, genetic parameters, and breeding values of growth traits. The results showed that the body weight, average daily gain, and breast circumference at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age of Thai native chickens raised on-station were higher than those raised on-site at the farm among mixed-sex and sex-segregated chickens, while the birth weight and body weight at four weeks of age (BW0 and BW4) and ADG from 0−4 weeks of age (ADG0−4) were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The heritability estimates of body weight, average daily gain, and breast circumference in the chickens raised at the on-site farm and on-station were moderate to high, with on-station values slightly higher than on-site farm values. The heritability estimates of body weight were 0.236 to 0.499 for the on-site farm, and 0.291 to 0.499 for on-station. For average daily gain, the heritability estimates were 0.274 to 0.283 for the on-site farm and 0.298 to 0.313 for on-station; meanwhile, and for breast circumference, the heritability estimates were 0.204 to 0.268 for the on-site farm and 0.278 to 0.296 for on-station. Both phenotypic and genetic correlations among and between growth traits were positive and ranged from low to high values. The top 20% of the estimated breeding values and selection indices in the on-site farm and on-station experiments showed that the body weight at eight weeks of age (BW8), ADG from 4−8 weeks of age (ADG4−8), and breast circumference at eight weeks of age (BrC8) should be used as selection criteria for Thai native chicken breeding programs. In conclusion, the genetic parameters and breeding values in on-station experiments showed that the breeding program by selection index for improving growth performance is valid. Therefore, to implement such a breeding program in an on-site farm, an intensive or semi-intensive farm system should be considered to minimize the effect of genotype-environment interaction.

Backyard poultry farming with improved germplasm: Sustainable food production and nutritional security in fragile ecosystem

Approximately 3 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2019 because of poverty and inequality. Most of these people live in Asia and Africa. Furthermore, 30% of the world population was affected by moderate to severe food insecurity in 2020, and most of this population lives in low- and middle-income countries. The world is at a critical juncture, and there is an urgent need for transformative food systems that ensure the empowerment of poor and vulnerable population groups, often smallholders with limited access to resources or those living in remote locations, as well as the empowerment of women, children, and youth (FAO, 2018). The backyard poultry production system (BPPS), as practiced by 80% of the world's rural population, can be that transformative change in low- and middle-income countries. Although the BPPS has low productivity, it still plays an important role in the food and nutritional security of rural people living in fragile ecosystems. Backyard poultry has been recognized as a tool for poverty alleviation and women empowerment besides ensuring food and nutritional security for rural poor. Poultry meat and eggs are the cheapest and best source of good quality protein, minerals, and vitamins. The introduction of improved backyard poultry germplasm has improved the productivity of this system in resource-poor settings and thereby improved the income and nutritional security of poor households. With these birds, the availability, access, utilization, and stability of food security have improved at household and national levels. Diseases, predation, non-availability of improved germplasm, lack of access to markets, and lack of skills are the major constraints to the adoption of improved backyard poultry. These constraints can be addressed by involving a network of community animal service providers. The improved backyard poultry germplasm will dominate the backyard poultry production system in the future and will be a tool for ensuring food and nutritional security on a sustainable basis, more particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Overview of Poultry Management as a Key Factor for Solving Food and Nutritional Security with a Special Focus on Chicken Breeding in East African Countries

Simple Summary

The poultry sector in most developing countries is largely based on traditional production systems, which are based on indigenous breeds. Beyond economical, nutritional, socio-cultural, and religious functions, the inherent adaptability of indigenous birds to diverse environmental conditions also provides a unique genetic resource critical for addressing the global challenges of food security in this world impacted by climatic change and human population growth. Nevertheless, until recently, the potential of the indigenous chicken remained largely untapped for no strong reason. In this review, we offer an overview of food and nutritional security with a special focus on chicken breeding in East Africa. We highlighted and combined confirming evidence of production performance, phenotypic variability, and genetic diversity of East African indigenous chicken using both morphological and molecular tools. Previous attempts to improve the productivity of indigenous chicken are highlighted, and possible future breeding plans and areas of immediate research are suggested. Considering how indigenous chicken strongly affects the livelihood of the majority of households, and since the poultry sector is likely to be strongly affected by climate change, we recommended that the prospects of chicken breeding in Africa should create a permanent balance between the competing needs of genetic improvement and the genetic diversity of indigenous chickens.

Abstract

The focus of this review is to offer an overview of food and nutritional security, to identify associated constraints, and propose possible alternative solutions for improving the East African poultry sub-sector in the pursuit of food security, focusing on chicken breeding. To better understand the prospects of the poultry industry, we highlighted and combined confirming evidence of the phenotypic variability and genetic diversity of East African chicken genetic resources using both morphological and molecular tools, as well as performance traits. Furthermore, this work gives a detailed indication of what would be lost if indigenous chicken populations are left to suffer the ongoing massive genetic erosions due to various factors, not limited to indiscriminate crossbreeding. Previous and recent attempts to improve the productivity of indigenous chicken are highlighted, and possible future breeding plans and areas of immediate research are suggested as well. This review concludes that under the prevailing conditions, the village chicken production system appears to be the most imperious production system that needs to be extensively developed ; however, for the sustainability of the industry, the proposed improvement strategies should create a permanent balance between the competing needs of genetic improvement and the genetic diversity of the indigenous chicken genetic resource.