Farmers' choice of genotypes and trait preferences in tropically adapted chickens in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria.

This study aimed at determining chicken genotypes of choice and traits preference in chicken by smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Data were obtained from a total of 2063 farmers using structured questionnaires in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Chi square (χ2) statistics was used to explore relationships between categorical variables. The mean ranks of the six genotypes and twelve traits of preference were compared using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H (with Mann-Whitney U test for post hoc separation of mean ranks), Friedman, and Wilcoxon signed-rank (with Bonferroni's adjustments) tests. Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) was used to assign farmers into groups. Gender distribution of farmers was found to be statistically significant (χ2 = 16.599; P ≤ 0.002) across the zones. With the exception of Shika Brown, preferences for chicken genotypes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) influenced by agro-ecological zone. However, gender differentiated response was only significant (P ≤ 0.01) in Sasso chicken with more preference by male farmers. Overall, FUNAAB Alpha, Sasso, and Noiler chicken were ranked 1st, followed by Kuroiler (4th), Shika Brown (5th), and Fulani birds (6th), respectively. Within genotypes, within and across zones and gender, preferences for traits varied significantly (P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.01). Traits of preference for selection of chicken breeding stock tended towards body size, egg number, egg size, and meat taste. Spearman's rank order correlation coefficients of traits of preference were significant (P ≤ 0.01) and ranged from 0.22 to 0.90. The two PCs extracted, which explained 65.3% of the variability in the dataset, were able to assign the farmers into two groups based on preference for body size of cock and hen and the other ten traits combined. The present findings may guide the choice of appropriate chicken genotypes while the traits of economic importance may be incorporated into future genetic improvement and conservation programs in Nigeria.

Principal Component Analysis of Conformation and Blood Marker Traits at Pre- and Post-Weaning Stages of Growth in F2 Crossbred Nigerian Indigenous X Landrace Pigs.

Linear body measurements and blood hematology and biochemistry parameters were taken on 92 and 15 grower pigs, respectively, chosen randomly from a crossbred F2 population of Nigerian Indigenous (NI) x Landrace pigs to evaluate body conformation and blood marker traits using a multivariate approach. For linear body measurements at pre-weaning stage (4 weeks old), two principal components accounted for 91.63% of the total variation in body conformation traits, while at post weaning stage (12 weeks old), one principal component accounted for 73.63% of the total variations in body conformation traits. The first factor (principal component) accounted for 72.34% of the total variance (body weight) while the second factor accounted for 19.29% (ear length) at pre-weaning stage. While at post-weaning stage only one factor contributed to the total variability of the original six traits tested, with 73.63% (body length). For blood parameters, three principal components accounted for 81.85% of the total variation at pre-weaning stage while 89.44% of the total variation at post-weaning stage was accounted for by four principal components. The first factor (principal component) accounted for 38.048% (Packed cell volume), the second accounted for 24.72% (hemoglobin) and the third accounted for 19.08% (aspartate transaminase). While at the post-weaning stage, the first factor was influenced by red blood corpuscles (37.17%), the second factor had its loading for hemoglobin (25.80%), the third factor had loading for white blood corpuscles (13.67%), while the fourth factor had loading for alkaline phosphatase only (12.80%). Using communality extraction factors, ear length best described body conformation at the pre-weaning stage; whereas, at post-weaning stage, body length was the best descriptor. In blood parameters, packed cell volume best described blood marker traits at the pre-weaning stage; whereas, at the post-weaning stage, red blood corpuscles best described it. Hence, the two extracted factors in linear body measurements and in blood parameters could be considered in breeding programs to improve and predict body conformation in crossbred pigs, as well as predict blood marker traits.