Morphology and body indexes of indigenous fowls in Northeastern Algeria

S Morsli, M Zeghdoudi, L Merdaci, M Tahri¹ and L Aoun¹

Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf-36000, Algeria
Seloua23@hotmail.fr
¹ Department of Biology, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf-36000, Algeria.

Abstract

The aim of this study is the identification in rural areas of local chickens with phenotypic characteristics and specific rusticity likely to represent genetic zoo resources that will contribute to the sustainability of livestock and food security in Algeria. This survey was based on the refusal of some breeders to introduce foreign chickens, including industrial races in their respective regions, thus allowing to safeguard their genetic heritage. It was conducted in the area of ​​El Tarf, in the Northeastern Algeria where 48 households were visited for a total of 279 chickens including 228 females and 51 males. The history of these chickens shows that these birds exist for several generations, with depraved housing, poor food, low production and high rusticity. The complete phenotypic description revealed that among the types of birds listed, 6 groups of cocks and 5 of hens had singular morphological characteristics and were dominants in term of distribution. The colours of hens were: black golden ermined (53), black (51), golden ermined (47), curly (42) and white speckled (35). The morphobiometric evaluation of the mass indice (IM) and the development of the pectoral muscle indice (IDMP) showed a IM between 87,5% and 97,9% for roosters and 76,2% to 95,0% for hens. The IDMP was included between 66,6% to 70,8% for hens and 78,9% to 85,0% for roosters with significantly higher average weight than in other studies. They produced 107,1 ± 0,5 eggs per week for 100 hens. This survey shows in this region the presence of local hens potential with specific morphological and rusticity criteria that must be conserved and maintained in the long term in a suitable environment and for a better quality of food.

Key words: biometry, conservation, distribution, indice, local hen, rusticity

Morphologie et index corporels de volailles indigènes du Nord-Est algérien

Résumé

Notre objectif est l’identification en milieu rural de poules locales ayant des caractéristiques phénotypiques et de rusticité spécifiques, susceptibles de représenter des ressources zoo-génétiques qui contribueront à la durabilité de ces élevages et à la sécurité alimentaire en Algérie. Cette enquête repose sur le refus des éleveurs à introduire des races étrangères dans leur région respective, entre autres les races industrielles, pour ainsi sauvegarder le patrimoine génétique de la poule locale. Elle s’est déroulée dans la région d’El-Tarf à l’extrême Nord-Est algérien où48 ménages ont été visités pour un total de 279 volailles dont 228 poules et 51 coqs. L’historique de ces poules montre une pérennisation des races présentes depuis plusieurs générations, l’état dépravé du logement, une alimentation pauvre, une production faible et une grande rusticité. La description phénotypique complète a fait apparaitre que parmi les types d’oiseaux répertoriées, 6 groupes de coqs et 5 groupes de poules présentaient des caractères morphologiques singuliers et étaient dominants en matière de distribution. Les couleurs des poules étaient les suivantes : noir doré herminé (53), noir (51), doré herminé (47), frisé (42) et blanc moucheté (35). L’évaluation morpho-biométrique par le calcul des indices de massivité et de développement du muscle pectoral a montré un IM compris entre 87,5% et 97,9% pour les coqs et 76,2% à 95,0% pour les poules. L’IDMP a varié entre 66,7% et 70,8% pour les poules et entre 78,9% et 85% pour les coqs avec des poids moyens nettement supérieurs à ceux des autres études. Ils ont produit 107,1 ± 0,5 oeufs par semaine pour 100 poules. Cette enquête montre qu’il existe dans cette région un potentiel de poules locales ayant des critères morphologiques et de rusticité spécifiques qui doivent être conservés et maintenus à long terme dans un environnement approprié et une meilleure qualité des aliments.

Mots clés: biométrie, conservation, poule locale, rusticité

Introduction

The industrialization of the poultry farming has engendered a potential loss of natural genetic diversity of rural animals. The aviculture durability is based on programs of crossing and improvement putting since the sixties the selection businesses in an international competitive struggle (Coquerelle 2000). The poultry industry focuses on a restrictive number of breeds that the sustainability depends on environment and their capacity for production and reproduction. In some countries, the family poultry represented mainly by the domestic fowl, constitutes nearly 90% of total poultry productions (Branckaert and Guèye 1999). Despite the fowl farming provides undoubtedly an important livelihood for populations in development, the inventory of these breeds remains unavailable (Guéye 2005) and the various attempts of their rehabilitation remained vain. In Algeria, the phenotypic characterization and the growth performances of the domestic fowl were studied in the center (Moula et al 2009) and the West (Mahammi et al 2014). Currently, the lack of data on the zootechnical parameters of the domestic fowl makes it utilization and sustainability depending on relationship human-animal-environment. There is no protection of zoo-genetic resources in Algeria; it is therefore important to list and classify the different types of existent fowl by determining their phenotypic and morphobiometric parameters what will allow us to measure their susceptibility to contribute to the farming sustainability and food security.

Materials and methods

Sites and farms characteristics

This investigation was carried out between March 2017 and February 2018 in El Matroha and Ain Khiar localities (Algerian Northeast). This area is characterized by an abundant vegetation, a soft and wet winter, and a hot and long summer with a very high hygrometry. We targeted these regions for the conservative mentality of the population which refuses the introduction of foreign genetics for their domestic fowl, what is reinforced by the absence of the predominant white color of industrial fowl. This traditional poultry in vicinity of houses and in complete freedom is represented by individuals of both sexes from different ages that do not receive any hygiene condition or maintenance. Their structure divested from any equipment or litter is generally constituted by a restrained surface covered randomly to protect them from bad weather and predators. According to the household, the number vary around 19-30 individuals and their food ration is based on culinary rests, public trash, roots, tubers and various seeds. The female are mainly used for laying; the eggs have a high nutritive value and medical virtues, hence their price: 0.25 Euro (the price of industrial egg is 0.10 Euro). The reproduction is used for the personal needs of the owners to conserve and preserve the local biodiversity. An additional benefit is the use of this type of hen as a chicken highly appreciated for its texture and flavor in some local dishes. The prices of a cockerel and a hen are around 8.3-11.1 Euro and 6.6-7.7 Euro respectively, while that of industrial chicken is around 1.2-1.4 Euro/kg (for both sexes).

Sampling, memorial and morphological study

On the 48 households visited, a total of 279 poultry (228 hens/51 cockerels) was studied. Initially, the farmers were interviewed on: origin, sustainability, distribution, production and diseases resistance of chickens. The phenotypic description of the animals was based on direct visual observations. The data collected by sex on the basis of the degree of consanguinity of different phenotypes observed were: appearance and color of plumage, crest, beak, cover of the legs and neck.

Body mass index

The body mass indexes used to evaluate morphological and physiological interdependence were: the density, the breadth of the basin, the bone structure and the transversal format of the trunk. These indexes are used as an indication to guide the investigators to classify the birds examined in distinct categories. We also applied the mass index (MI) and the development of the pectoral muscle index (DPMI) that reflects the external characteristics of chicken production very well (Vrancea et al 1981). The body measurements were recorded following the recommendations of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO.

The Mass Index (MI) expresses the relationship between body weight and trunk length having a higher value in adult birds and those destined for meat production. The mean body weight of an adult fowl represents the standard body mass and the growth dynamics for young birds:

MI =(Body weight/Trunk length) x100

The development of the pectoral muscle index (DPMI) expresses the potential for meat production:

DPMI = (Sternum length/ Trunk length) x100

Trunk length: from the scapular-humeral articulation to the posterior prominence of the ischium.

Sternum length: from the anterior tip of the sternum to the xiphoidian appendice.

Statistical analysis

An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the differences between cockerels and hens based on MI and DPMI, completed by the post hoc test Newman-Keuls, SNK. The statistical analysis was carried out with the SPSS v. 13.0 software (SPSS 2004).

Assessment of the local hen hardiness

The rusticity was estimated throughout the study by recording the number of dead subjects communicated to us within 24 hours in order to identify lesions after necropsy. The mortality rate are related to the numbers of 228 hens and 51 roosters.

Assessment of egg production

We estimated the productive potential under natural conditions of 100 hens older than 6 months (all types), in 3 randomly selected farms. We recorded the number of eggs collected weekly during 50 weeks between March 2017 and February 2018.

Results

Memorial

The collected data shows that mainly fowls are known by farmers who have become accustomed to their breeding. These birds with undetermined origin are characterized by a homogeneous distribution and a regular presence in these regions since several generations. The rusticity of the poultry remains the most significant criterion for breeders who consider it as an important asset. Eggs and chicks production is irregular but uniform in all households with egg-laying and hatching close to 40%. This is explained by the incubator nature of hens and therefore longer periods of unproductivity and infertility.

Phenotypic analysis

On 228 hens and 51 cockerels studied, we found 5 and 6 types respectively, aged between 12 months and 2 years, representing the dominant types of domestic fowl population in this area (Table 1). These individuals form homogeneous families, cross to create natural lines and possess similar morphological characters.

Morphological description of predominant types by sex

There are 11 types, 6 for males and 5 for females (Table 2).

The cockerels of type 1, 2 and 3 are hardy in constitution, length higher than depth or rectangular for type 6; the top line is concave, of short or medium length rising gradually to the tail. The chest is broad, full and the keel is almost vertical. The wings are short, tight and the feathers are wide. The neck is short for types 5 and 6 and medium for types 1, 2 and 3; the shoulders is necked, slightly arched for type 4. The face is red, the eyes large with orange iris, the crest sitting well, simple, straight, of fine texture with five to six teeth for the roosters for types 2, 3, 4 and 5, curly ended into an appendix-like spur for type 6 or crown-shaped for type 1 (Figure1). The beak is short, well curved and the horn is roughed for type 2 and yellow for the others. The tail is short and open; the sickles are wide and staggered. The thighs of medium length remain visible; the builts are wide and well separated. Middle tarsi are strong, yellow, without or covered with down for type 5. The abdomen is well developed and deep. The feathers are broad, soft enough but not puffy. Concerning the plumage, the varieties encountered are: the ermined copper black, the speckled white, the ermined black, the golden naked neck, the golden with feathered tarsus and the barred.

The hens are of intermediate weight; the body is wide, the deep and the back are short for types 8, 9 and 11. The body is rectangular with horizontal back for types 7, 8 and 10. The chest is broad and vertically descends for types 7, 9 and 11, but deep with a slightly rounded sternum for types 8 and 10, the saddle is well feathered. The tail is short, the feathers are wide, the sickles are harmonious and the wings are worn high and tight. The abdomen is large and well developed, strongly feathered, marking a fairly long hind end. The head is small, the crest is simple, straight and short with 4 to 5 teeth and crest behind the ridge for types 7,8 and 9. The face is bright red, the eyes are large, prominent and the neck is short for types 8 and 10, barely average for types 7, 9 and 11 with abundant feathers. The wattles are rounded, medium sized, red and fully developed for type 7 (Figure 2). The beak is heavy, short, slightly curved and yellow for types 7 and 8 and the horns are marked for types 9, 10 and 11. The joints thighs are medium sized and well clear, the tarsi are whitish, thin, strong and without down for types 8, 10 and 11 or yellow for types 7 and 9.

The morphological description showed that some characters like the crest crown-shaped, the feathered tarsus and naked neck were present only in cockerels.

Figure 1. a cockerel	Figure 2. a hen

Body mass index

The same sample was used for this part of study, the 5 groups of hens (n ​​= 228) and the 6 groups of roosters (n = 51). The weights of chickens and roosters were homogeneous at ±10% and were located between heavy and light breeds (Tables 3, 4).

The value of MI for both sexes increased in heavier individuals but was even higher elevated for the same individuals whose trunk length was shorter. The mass index shows a difference (F = 61.214; P <0.001) between the different types with the distinction of seven groups of averages (Tables 3, 4).

The DPMI has higher values for hens and roosters whose difference in length of the sternum and trunk is minimal, with ancestry for individuals whose length sternum is bigger. For the pectoral muscle development index, a difference between the cocks and hens is observed (F = 28.809; P <0.001) with the distinction of six groups of averages (Tables 5, 6).

Estimation of hardiness

The current state of the pathologies present in industrial farms shows that several major diseases are rife in this region such as Newcastle disease, Marek's disease, infectious bronchitis, fowl pox, salmonellosis and coccidiosis. The mortalities recorded are mainly due to accidents such as drowning, ingestion of contending materials, trauma or serious malnutrition (Table 7).

Estimation of egg production

The egg production during the year remained relatively steady except in the last weeks in the winter when it dropped significantly. The mean production during 50 weeks was 107,1 ± 0,5 eggs per week for 100 hens. A more detailed study of this production is on preparation.

Discussion

Memorials performing on the domestic fowl in the study area highlight that rusticity, breeds sustainability since several generations, their homogeneous distribution in this region as well as the organoleptic and market values of these breeds remain major assets. The earlier studies undertaken in the center (Moula et al 2009) and the Western (Mahammi et al 2014) of Algeria revealed that the poultry is raised for the same objectives at lower costs than in the East region. The phenotypic description in the present study showed the presence of 6 types of hens and 5 types of cockerels. A considerable phenotypic diversity of domestic fowl is observed in the Algerian Northwest (Mahammi et al2014) and in Kabylie; this latter is due to the introduction of industrial hens and uncontrolled crosses (Moula et al 2008). This anarchic introduction of strange gene is observed in Algeria, Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Middle East (Bessadok et al 2003; Benabdeljelil and Edged 2005). In the present study, we noticed a wide variety of plumages represented by the black, the ermined black, the golden, the ermined golden, the speckled, the barred and the curly. According to Mahammi et al (2014), the most encountered colors of plumage were the golden, the white, the black and the “mille-fleurs”. In Morocco, according to Benabdeljelil and Bordas (2005), the phenotypes were shared in 5 types, the most important being the brown cockerel; the other types had a barred feather, completely black or speckled. In contrast to our investigations, no animal with curly plumage or other particular phenotype was found in Africa (Benin, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville and Senegal) and Mediterranean (Agbede et al 1995; Missohu et al 1998; Mallia 1998 ; Fotsa and Poné 2001). The feather color was very variable, with a higher frequency of black and silver color (Mérat 1990). Keambou et al (2007) reported that the main dominant were the black, the white, the golden; they added that the usual feathering was widely represented, but also the hooped phenotypes, feathered tarsi, a minority of naked neck and no curly type.

In some tropical countries, there are varieties of domestic fowl with feathers allowing a better adaptation to environmental condition, such as naked neck or curly type which we often found in our investigation. We noticed that 3 types of hens from different color have a tuft behind the head. Mahammi et al (2014) noted that the tuft is more frequent in females, what compounds with our study and phenotype naked neck is much represented as in the Algerian East. Keambou et al (2007), reported that the hens with the tuft are often preferred for their good performances of reproduction.

The calculation of body index shows an intermediate and homogeneous body mass in both sexes; so in our study the comparison of MI and DPMI revealed a significant difference between different types of cockerels and hens because of greater variability in weights (Moula et al 2009). The variances may be attributable, in part, to the introduction of industrial individuals by the poultry farmers to improve the weight performances of their animals (Benabdeljelil and Bordas 2005).

Mahammi et al (2014) recorded a mean body weight of 1 817 and 1 335 g for male and female respectively; while Moula et al (2008), registered a mean weight of 1 286 g (min-max=805-2 754 g) and 1 646 g (min-max=1 060-3 241 g) in hens and cockerels respectively, but these findings remain very below our results. In Tunisia, Raach-Moujahed et al (2011) observed a weight between 1 416 g and 1 730 g at maturity. In Tchad, Hassaballah et al (2015) found large individuals (around the Lake Chad), small individuals in the mountainous region of Guéra (in the center) and an intermediate one in Mayo-Kebbi (Western).

In our survey, the values of annual mortality rate were 15.7% and 7.5% for roosters and hens respectively. This rusticity remains a considerable asset for the poultry farmers and explains by their natural acquired resistance and the refusal of the farmers to the introduction of industrial fowl that are much more sensitive. Furthermore, in Pakistan, Kumar Dutta et al (2013) reported that the local hens die from several diseases like the celiac bacillary disease, the Newcastle disease and the avian cholera. Fotsa (2008) reported that rusticity provides an exceptional advantage allowing to the domestic fowl an adaptation to the difficult climate and farming conditions. In this study, annual production was 110 eggs per hen; encouraging results, although much lower than the commercial production due to lack of keeping and deficient diet. Previous studies in Africa showed that annual production of eggs from the local hen is low, ranging between 25 and 150 eggs / year (Fotsa and Pone 2001), 78 eggs / year in Morocco (Benabdeljalil and Bordas 2005), 127 eggs / year in Tunisia (Bessadok et al 2003), 141 eggs and 128 eggs for the local hens Fayoumi and Dandarawi respectively in Egypt (Horst 1991).

Conclusions

• The domestic fowl of the Algerian East represents an original heritage due to the phenotypic characters that they have developed and their exceptional adaptation qualities, inherited from parents through several generations by a natural selection.
  
  
• This investigation showed 6 groups of cocks and 5 of hens with singular morphological characteristics.
  
  
• Despite the difficult breeding conditions, the local hen showed a high resistance to avian diseases as well as a notable egg production.
  
  
• The conservation of this fowl reserve by a safeguarding strategies and improvement remains a major trump in the durability of poultry farms and food security.

Acknowledgments

This study was fully supported by Laboratory ESSPRETCADS of Chadli Bendjedid University.

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Received 16 August 2019; Accepted 20 September 2019; Published 2 November 2019

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