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Indigenous chicken genetic resources in Bangladesh: current status and future outlook

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

A.K.F.H. Bhuiyan ,
M.S.A. Bhuiyan  and
G.K. Deb
A.K.F.H. Bhuiyan
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
M.S.A. Bhuiyan
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
G.K. Deb
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
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Summary

Livestock, especially poultry, is a promising sector for poverty reduction in Bangladesh. Approximately 140 millions chickens are scattered throughout 68 000 villages in the country, mostly of indigenous, non-descript type. The production system for indigenous chickens is smallholder backyard scavenging in nature with each family keeping an average of 6–7 chickens to meet family requirements, and from which a cash income can also be derived when necessary. Indigenous chickens produce about 75% of the eggs and 78% of the meat consumed domestically. Among said indigenous chicken genetic resources, non-descript Deshi, Aseel and Naked Neck breeds are noteworthy

The non-descript Deshi chicken constitutes about 90% of the indigenous population. Also known as ‘Murghi’, they have undergone unknown periods of natural selection and are a reservoir of excellent genetic diversity. They show high levels of morphological and phenotypic variability and increased fitness under natural settings. Studies reveal that they may be regarded as one breed or population because of the small genetic distances among them. Deshi chickens are characterized by black (75%) and red (25%) plumage colour; black (39%), yellow (32%) and white (29%) shank color; black (99%) eye color; bright red (59%) and pale (41%) comb colour; white (82%) and yellow (17%) skin colour; no definite (61%) and lacing (17%) feather pattern; medium (70%) and large (19%) body size; single comb (97%) and rudimentary spur (98%); medium egg size (80%); light brown (67%) and white (27%) egg shell colour. Regarding production traits, Deshi chickens have average hatch weight of 29 g; body weight at 4, 8, 12 weeks; weekly weight gain (0–12 weeks) of respectively of 77, 175, 315, 24 grams; age at first egg (175 days); weight of pullet (0.9 kg); mature body weight (1.3 kg); hatchability (52%); fertility (83%); annual egg production (45 -50 eggs); 9% mortality up to 500 days of age.

The indigenous chicken population of Bangladesh has been undergoing genetic erosion since the 1960s, following the introduction of improved stock from developed countries. Efforts to sustain commercial hybrid broiler and layer chicken farming under intensive and semi-intensive production models have been tested, but efficiency of systematic characterization, screening, breed improvement and conservation programmes with the indigenous Deshi chickens at the smallholder village levels (in-situ) of Bangladesh are yet to be tested. Such an initiative may help to save these creatures from the grip of thethreat of extinction. This in turn may help to sustain village chicken production system in Bangladesh and could be a useful micro-economic strategy in the on-going poverty alleviation process in the country.

Résumé

L'élevage, et en particulier l'élevage de volailles, est un secteur important pour la réduction de la pauvreté au Bangladesh. Environ 140 millions de poulets sont élevés dans 68.000 villages, la plupart appartenant à des races indigènes sans description du type. Le système de production des poulets indigènes est constitué de petites unités au sol, avec une moyenne par élevage fermier de 6–7 poulets pour couvrir les besoins de la famille, avec possibilité si nécessaire d'un revenu. Les races indigènes produisent environ 75% des oeufs et 78% de la viande consommés par famille. Mises à part ces ressources génétiques indigènes, il faut aussi souligner l'importance de races non décrites de Deshi, Aseel et Naked Neck.

La race non décrite Deshi représente environ 90% de la population indigène. Bien connue aussi comme “Murghi”, ces populations ont été soumises à des périodes de sélection naturelle et représentent un excellent réservoir de diversité génétique. Le niveau de variabilité morphologique et phénotypique est élevé et en conditions naturelles on observe une amélioration de l'état physique. Des études ont indiqué qu'on peut les considérer comme une seule race ou population étant donné la courte distance génétique entre elles. Les poulets Deshi possèdent un plumage noir (75%) et rouge (25%); des pattes noires (39%), jaunes (32%) et blanches (29%); des yeux noirs (99%); une crête rouge intense (59%) ou pâle (41%); une peau blanche (82%) et jaune (17%); forme du plumage non défini (61%) et défini (17%); taille corporelle moyenne (70%) et grande (19%); crête unique (97%) et ergot rudimentaire (98%); taille des oeufs moyenne (67%); couleur de la coquille des oeufs brune (67%) et blanche (27%). En ce qui concerne la production, les poulets Deshi pèsent en moyenne à l'éclosion 29 gr.; le poids corporel à la semaine 4, 8 et 12 avec un gain de poids par semaine (0–12 semaines) respectivement de 77, 175, 315, 24 gr.; âge à la première ponte d'œufs (175 jours); poids de la poulette (0,90 kg); poids corporel à la maturité (1,3 kg); niveau d'éclosion (54%); fertilité (83%); production annuelle d'ufs (45–50 œufs); 9% de mortalité jusqu'à 500 jours d'âge.

Depuis les années 60 la population indigène de poulet au Bangladesh a subi une érosion génétique à cause de l'introduction de races améliorées en provenance des pays développés. Des efforts ont été fait pour encouragé la commercialisation des hybrides de poulets d'engrais et de ponte en conditions de production intensives et semi-intensives, mais l'efficacité de la caractérisation systématique, la sélection, l'amélioration de race et les programmes de conservation avec les poulets Deshi dans les conditions d'environnement au niveau des villages (in-situ) du Bangladesh doivent encore être testés. Ce genre d'initiative peut aider à sauver ces animaux de l'extinction. En même temps, cela permettrait d'aider la production de poulets au niveau des villages du Bangladesh tout en étant utile pour la stratégie micro-économique du procès de réduction de la pauvreté dans le pays.

Keywords

Genetic resourcesIndigenous chickenBangladesh
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 36 , April 2005 , pp. 73 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2005

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