TITLE:
Factors Influencing the Morphological Characteristics of Village Chickens’ Genetic Resources in the Abu-Dhabi Emirate, UAE
AUTHORS:
Mohammad J. Tabbaa, Hussein H. Hassanin
KEYWORDS:
Body Weight, Breeds, Morphological Characteristics, UAE, Village Chickens
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.8 No.1,
January
12,
2018
ABSTRACT: The study was accomplished to identify the
characteristics of village chickens’ (VCs) genetic resources in the Abu-Dhabi
Emirate of United Arab Emirate (UAE) and to study factors affecting these
characteristics. Each bird was individually observed, identified, measured and
characterized of thirteen VCs pure breeds and crossbreds. The overall VCs had
normal feather morphology (95.1%) and distribution (77%). Except for Fayomi
chickens which were 100% mottled, no specific plumage pattern was found. Almost
52% of the VCs had white skins. Six different colors were reported for the
shanks and maximized for white shanks (34.3%). Large breasts (46%) were more
available. The predominant plumage color was mixed colors (37.5%). Face size
tended to be small (42.8%) to medium (40.4%). More brown (48.9%) then orange
(27.3%) eyes were found. Dark (49.7%) beaks were more available than white
(28.6%) or yellow (21.7%) beaks. The distribution of wattle colors was similar
to that of ear-lob colors with some variation. Small wattles (41.9%) were most
available. Single comb (82.4%) is the most available; 11 other types and one
with no comb were represented with low frequencies. In the whole sample, red
and white combs (56.7%) were the most available; however, plain red (23.8%) and red and black
(15.5%) were represented. Results of factors influence showed that body weight
was high significantly (P P as observed between breed and location on body length, wing span and shank
length. The interaction between breed and sex only significantly (P P P