Assessment of flock structure, preference in selection and traits of economic importance for domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) genetic resources in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

摘要

Villagepoultryhavebeenraisedforthousandsofyearsandtheselectionpressurepresentinthevillageenvironmenthasresultedinindigenousstockthatarewelladaptedtolocalconditions.Thepresentinvestigationexaminedtheflockcomposition,preferenceinchoiceofbreedingstock,productiontraitsandcullingcriteriainindigenousturkeysofNasarawastate,Nigeria.Asemi-structuredquestionnairewasadministeredto53randomlyselectedhouseholdsengagedinturkeyfarminginthestudyarea.nbsp;Alowtom:henratioof1:2.75wasobservedintheturkeypopulation.Bodysize,eggnumber,hatchability,heattolerance,bodyconformationanddiseaseresistancewerethepreferredtraitsforselectionofbreedingstock.Higherrankings(P0.01)wereaccordedeconomictraitssuchashighreproductiveperformance,increasedeggproductionandlargebodysize.Mostofthehouseholdsculledtomswithlowbodysize,lowfertilityandpoorhealthwhilefertility,eggnumber,bodysizeandmotheringabilitywerehighlyrankedascullingcriteriaforhens.Therateofinbreeding(#916;F)calculatedfortheindigenousturkeyflockconsideringtheexistingflocksizeandmanagementpracticewas0.0013(0.13%),anindicationthatthepopulationisnotattheriskofextinction.Itisconcludedthatcommunityorvillage-basedselectivebreedingschemesshouldconsiderfarmers#8217;traitsofpreferenceasagoodoptiontorationalandsustainablewaytoimproveandconserveturkeygeneticresourceinthestudyarea.