Morphometric and Morphologic Traits of Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Quantitative physical measurements and observable physical traits are used for animal identification and are the first step for long‐term genetic improvement and other developmental interventions. Aim: This study was conducted to characterize phenotypic traits of indigenous chicken ecotypes of Tigray’s eastern and southern zones. Methods: A total of 711 chickens aged 5 months and above were used in these two zones. Sampling was performed in three districts representing midland and highland agroecologies. Multivariate analysis was performed using 13 quantitative variables. Results: Quantitative traits such as live weight, breast width, keel length, thigh circumference, chest circumference, shank length, wing length, earlobe length, and comb length were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in Hawzien chickens in both sexes, which mainly happened due to feed access, veterinary service, and good housing. Similarly, there were morphologically diverse chicken ecotypes in all districts and these traits have their own economic, sociocultural, and esthetic values and resulted in market differences locally. The discriminant analysis also showed that the classification of female and male chickens ranged from 40.5% to 92.3% and 100% to 98.8%, respectively, which indicates higher heterogeneity (59.5%) in female than male chickens. Therefore, identifying both quantitative and qualitative traits of chicken is important for genetic improvements, conservation, and sustainable utilization of chicken genetic resources and opens a door for molecular characterization and other tailored environmental interventions.