Backyard poultry farming with improved germplasm: Sustainable food production and nutritional security in fragile ecosystem

Kassa B., Tadesse Y., Esatu W., Dessie T.

The study was conducted to evaluate the on-farm growth and egg production performance of 3 tropically adapted chicken breeds in western Amhara region of Ethiopia. Kuroiler, Sasso and Sasso-R were tested under the on-farm condition for 45 wk. In total 216 were included in the on-farm test. Breed by location interaction affects the body weight and daily weight gain, egg production, hen-day egg production percentage, and egg weight. Kuroiler exhibited higher body weight as Sasso in the mid-altitude than other breed by location interactions. Kuroiler at south Achefer (mid altitude) had the better daily gain than the other breed by location interactions. Sasso (111.8 ± 3.9 eggs) and Kuroiler (112.22 ± 3.53) in south Achefer (mid-land) and Kuroiler in Banija (high-land) produced significantly higher egg production up to 45 wk than the other strain by location interactions. In all locations slightly higher survivability up to 44 wk was observed for Kurolier than the other breeds. In general, differences in live weight, daily gain, egg production and egg weight could be attributed to differences in genotypes, environment differences and their interaction. Kuroiler in the high land, Sasso and Sasso-R in the mid-land were producing on average 187, 180, and 150%, respectively, more eggs than nationally reported local chicken. Therefore, Kuroiler and Sasso are recommended to be reared in the study area. Further evaluation on different traits of these breeds and their crosses with local chickens under different management systems should be undertaken.

Desha N.H., Bhuiyan M.S., Islam F., Bhuiyan A.K.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of non-genetic factors on growth performance of Indigenous chicken under village condition of Bangladesh. A total of 1070 eggs from Indigenous chicken were set and 628 chicks were hatched. Data were recorded on hatching performance and body weight of chicks from week 1 (BWWK1) to week 15 (BWWK15). The non-genetic factors considered were sex, batch, farm, brooding system and feeding system. Least squares means for fertility (%), hatchability (%) and mortality on hatching day (%) of eggs were 70.81, 77.52, and 19.63, respectively. Body weight of male and female birds at 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th,11th, 13th and 15th weeks of age were 45.97 and 38.44 g, 129.36 and 104.94 g, 266.82 and 213.92 g, 453.93 and 390.72 g, 470.58 and 394.75 g, 614.60 and 489.48 g, 693.72 and 462.77 g, 833.94 and 650.77 g, respectively. Artificially hatched birds gained better body weight than the naturally hatched birds up to 11 weeks of age. The coal brooding system was superior to electric and natural brooding. Hand mixed feed gave better growth of birds than commercial feed and scavenging feed resources. Better growth of birds in farm 2 was observed suggesting replication of management system of farm 2 to get better growth. Further, batch, farm, brooding system and feeding system were found to contribute significant (p<0.05) differences in the body weight at various weeks of their age. These results indicated due adjustment of non-genetic management systems for obtaining better growth performance of Indigenous chicken to enhance commercialization of the indigenous chicken flocks in rural areas of the country.

Desta T.T.

The multi-purpose indigenous village chickens (IVCs) are kept in low- and middle-income countries. IVCs are hardy and are resilient to disease, hostile environment, global warming, and climate change. The IVCs are a little impacted by anthropogenic effects; consequently, they possess high genetic and phenotypic diversity. Likewise, the genetic structure of IVCs is principally shaped by natural selection, which enables them to accumulate high genetic polymorphism and to adaptively radiate. Regardless of this, the genetic wealth of IVCs has been eroded by indiscriminate crossbreeding. Emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases, flawed assumptions, predation, inadequate nutrition, poorly maintained night enclosures, and underdeveloped market infrastructure, and the overlooked multiple-use values and unique attributes of IVCs have threatened their mere survival. The IVCs lay a few eggs and produce less meat, which cannot meet the growing (existing) demand. However, the demand for IVC products is growing attributable to the flavor and texture of eggs and meat, and they are well-aligned with the subsistence farming system. The several use values and ecosystem services provided by IVCs have been increasingly realized. Enhanced production can be attained through sustainable use of local (genetic) resources and by scaling up and out best practices. Genetic improvement needs to mainly rely upon IVC genetic resources and should have to match the genotype with the environment. Moreover, it has to maintain the genetic polymorphism that has been accumulated for time immemorial to respond to unanticipated changes in the production system and consumers’ demand. In this review, enhanced management, selection strategies, and genetic crosses including the crossing of commercial chickens with red junglefowl have been proposed to sustainably intensify the IVC production system.

Guni F.S., Mbaga S.H., Katule A.M., Goromela E.H.

One thousand one hundred and fifty-two dual-purpose improved chickens (576 Kuroiler and 576 Sasso) of mixed sexes were reared in two diverse agro-ecological zones, i.e., highland and lowland in Mvomero district, Eastern Tanzania, to determine the effects of agro-ecological zones on growth performance, egg production, and survivability under farmer management conditions. Two villages per zone were purposively selected, and from each village, 16 farmers were included in the study; a particular farmer received 18 birds of mixed sexes of the same breed. Data on body weight, egg production trait, and mortality were taken at different ages from week 6 up to 52. General Linear Models fitting breed, agro-ecological zone, and interactions between breed and zone were used to analyze the data. Results show that breed had no significant effects on body weight and body weight gain. However, the effects of the agro-ecological zone and interaction between breed and zone on body weight and body weight gain were significant at the 16th and 20th week of age. The highland zone had heavier chickens than the lowland. While Sasso performed better than Kuroiler chickens in the highland zone, the opposite was observed in the lowland. Significant breed × agro-ecology interactions were observed only for age at first egg whereby Sasso matured earlier than Kuroiler in the highland zone but much later than Kuroiler in the lowland. Birds raised in the highland zone survived better than those chickens in the lowland during both growing and laying periods. Thus, knowledge of breed performance in relation to agro-ecological differences is critical when distributing improved chicken breeds to farmers.

Singh M., Mollier R.T., Rajkhowa D.J., Kandpal B.K.

Productivity of traditional backyard poultry in developing countries can be enhanced by introduction of improved germplasm of backyard chicken which is adaptable to diverse ago-climatic condition. The growth and reproductive performance of parents of improved backyard chicken (Vanaraja and Srinidhi) were evaluated under intensive production system in humid sub-tropical region of North East India. We also evaluated the growth performance and mortality in terminal crosses of above parents until 6 weeks of age. At day 0 and at 25 weeks of age, body weight of Srinidhi male parent was significantly (P<0.05) higher than Vanaraja male parent. During brooding stage, mortality was 15.7% in Srinidhi male parent, 14.5% in Vanaraja male parent, 13.9% in Srinidhi female parent, and 8% in Vanaraja female parent. Hen-day egg production (HDEP) of Vanaraja female parent varied from 0.2 at 25 weeks to 54.9% at 54th weeks of age. In Srinidhi female parent, HDEP reached 60% at 35 weeks and peaked 63.9% at 39 weeks of age. Srinidhi female parent has significantly (P<0.05) lower age at first lay. Average annual egg production was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Srinidhi female parent (202 eggs vs. 137 eggs). Egg weight at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 week of age was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Vanaraja female parent. Egg shape index and yolk index at 40 weeks of age were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Srinidhi female parent. Fertility of Vanaraja female parent was significantly (P<0.05) lower in winter. In case of Srinidhi female parent, fertility was significantly higher (P<0.05) in winter as compared to summer. In case of terminal crosses, body weight at 6 weeks of age was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Vanaraja as compared to Srinidhi. Cumulative mortality during brooding phase was 9.2 per cent in Vanaraja and 9.6 per cent in Srinidhi. In conclusion, parents of Vanaraja and Srinidhi are suitable and well-adapted birds in humid sub-tropical condition of North East India. These birds could be introduced in the region on large scale for up-scaling of traditional backyard poultry.

Rajkumar U., Rama Rao S.V., Raju M.V., Chatterjee R.N.

A comprehensive review on backyard poultry farming (BYPF) was carried out with respect to history, status, production systems, management practices, role in socio-economic development, etc., considering the Indian scenario in particular. Backyard poultry is an age-old traditional practice where small numbers of native chickens are reared with or without inputs under the free-range scavenging conditions. Currently, BYPF contributes about 17.8% (18.41 billion) of the total egg production (103.32 billion) of India. The introduction of high yielding chicken varieties, which resemble the native chicken, transformed the BYPF into a highly remunerative farming activity. The BYPF has a proven potential to alleviate poverty, eradicate malnutrition, empower women, and provide subsidiary income, and gainful employment in rural and tribal areas. In India, four types of backyard poultry farming are practiced, i.e., traditional, small-scale rural, small-scale intensive, and native chicken farming. The aspects of breeding and nutritional strategies in the nursery, and free-range conditions, besides the housing and health care practices that are followed in India, are discussed in detail. Backyard poultry farming has huge potential for further expansion as the produce from this system is preferred across the country.

Desta T.T.

Indigenous village chickens (IVCs) greatly contribute to food security and rural development. Consequently, IVCs cover incidental expenses, economically empower women, and support the livelihood of disadvantaged groups. Interestingly, ritual practices of traditional communities across the Global South utilise IVCs. IVCs provide several ecosystem services and possess adaptation traits resulting in their being able to survive and reproduce with minimal care. Explorative behaviours and general hardiness aroused from natural selection enable IVCs to adapt to a wide range of agroecology and management systems. IVCs are mainly kept in the extensive production system with scarce production inputs. Their management history and uncontrolled mating have enabled IVCs to have unique and diverse phenotypes. Flock size is small, typically less than 100, and the family flock consists of birds of both sexes and different ages making management a demanding task. IVCs lay few eggs (~ 40 to 60 annually) and have small body weights (~ 1.6 kg for adult cock) and low growth rates; nevertheless, they offer multiple as well as unique products and services. Productivity can be improved significantly with appropriate changes to management. There is a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and practice associated with IVC production, which together with identified cost-effective interventions incorporating improvements in management, nutrition, disease control, and/or genetics have the potential to achieve profitable and sustainable production for the benefit of subsistence farmers and their families.

Sanka Y.D., Mbaga S.H., Mutayoba S.K., Katule A.M., Goromela S.H.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of breed, diet, and level of feed supplementation on growth performance, feed conversion ratio, and survivability of Sasso and Kuroiler chicken. The study was conducted in two separate phases, i.e., the starter phase (0–6 weeks of age) and grower phase (6–20 weeks of age). One thousand sixty–day-old Sasso and Kuroiler chicks were raised until 6 weeks under intensive management system with three dietary treatments. At the age of 6 weeks, a total of 960 birds (480 Sasso and 480 Kuroiler) were randomly selected from each treatment diet and assigned to four feed supplementation levels, i.e., 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% with two replicates each having 20 birds. Beginning week 7, birds were allowed to semi-scavenge from 6:00 am in the morning to 6:00 pm in the evening with free access to open grass area of 1 bird/4 m2. Grower rations based on the three categories, i.e., commercial, medium-cost, and low-cost formulation, were fed from 7th to the 20th week of age. During 0 to 6 weeks of the growing phase, the breed and diet significantly (p < 0.05) influenced 6-week live weight, live weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Birds given commercial diet (D1) excelled in live weight, total live weight gains, and feed conversion ratio followed by medium-cost (D2) and low-cost (D3) diet respectively. During the 7th to 20th weeks of the growing phase, the breed, diet, and supplementation levels had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the live weight and weight gain at 20 weeks of age. Feed cost per kilogram gain increased with an increase in the level of supplementation. Days taken by birds to reach market weight (2 kg) with 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% level of dietary supplementation were 16, 18, 20, and more than 20 weeks respectively. The survival rate for Sasso and Kuroiler was 99.80% and 97.13% respectively. It is concluded that appreciable growth performance can be attained for semi-scavenging Sasso and Kuroiler chickens when supplemented with medium- or low-cost diets at the level of 50 to 75% of their daily feed requirements.

Hedman H.D., Vasco K.A., Zhang L.

The emergence, spread, and persistence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remain a pressing global health issue. Animal husbandry, in particular poultry, makes up a substantial portion of the global antimicrobial use. Despite the growing body of research evaluating the AMR within industrial farming systems, there is a gap in understanding the emergence of bacterial resistance originating from poultry within resource-limited environments. As countries continue to transition from low- to middle income countries (LMICs), there will be an increased demand for quality sources of animal protein. Further promotion of intensive poultry farming could address issues of food security, but it may also increase risks of AMR exposure to poultry, other domestic animals, wildlife, and human populations. Given that intensively raised poultry can function as animal reservoirs for AMR, surveillance is needed to evaluate the impacts on humans, other animals, and the environment. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of poultry production within low-resource settings in order to inform future small-scale poultry farming development. Future research is needed in order to understand the full extent of the epidemiology and ecology of AMR in poultry within low-resource settings.

Barroga T.R., Morales R.G., Benigno C.C., Castro S.J., Caniban M.M., Cabullo M.F., Agunos A., de Balogh K., Dorado-Garcia A.

Chicken and pork are the most frequently consumed meat products in the Philippines. Swine and poultry are reared in either commercial farms (CMf) and backyard farms (BYf); the latter production system is relatively common and essential to food security in low-and middle income countries (LMICs) such as the Philippines. Similar to resource limited LMICs, antimicrobial use (AMU) surveillance has not yet been established, thus AMU in food animals is a knowledge gap in understanding the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic foodborne bacteria in the country. This qualitative AMU pilot study aims to describe the antimicrobial active ingredients (AAI) used, associated AMU practices (e.g., source of AAIs and informed AMU decisions) by poultry and swine CMf and BYf in the Philippines. Ninety three farms (4 regions) across the Philippines voluntarily provided AMU information as part of a larger biosecurity and good practices study. The percentage of farms using AAI over the total number of farms was the metric used to describe AMU. There were 30 total AAIs used (CMf: n =27 and BYf: n = 13); per farm, the number of AAIs used ranged from 1 to 7 AAIs. The spectrum of AAIs was more diverse in swine (n = 24) compared to poultry (n = 18). Enrofloxacin was the most frequently reported AAI in poultry (33%) and swine (36%) farms. Respiratory diseases was the most frequently reported reason for AMU in both species. Between production systems, significant differences were observed in the percentage of farms using amoxicillin (27% CMf vs. 3% BYf), colistin (17% CMf vs. 3% BYf), and oxytetracycline (12% CMf vs. 39% BYf). In terms of AMU practices, of important concern was the over the counter access of AAIs at retail outlets and the limited veterinary oversight in BYf. Our data indicated that antimicrobials critically important in human medicines are frequently used in poultry and swine farms in the Philippines. This study can inform the development of guidelines for curbing AMR through prudent AMU and serves as a reference point for AMU surveillance capacity development in the Philippines.

Chaiban C., Robinson T.P., Fèvre E.M., Ogola J., Akoko J., Gilbert M., Vanwambeke S.O.

Poultry production is an important way of enhancing the livelihoods of rural populations, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As poultry production in LMICs remains dominated by backyard systems with low inputs and low outputs, considerable yield gaps exist. Intensification can increase poultry productivity, production and income. This process is relatively recent in LMICs compared to high-income countries. The management practices and the constraints faced by smallholders trying to scale-up their production, in the early stages of intensification, are poorly understood and described. We thus investigated the features of the small-scale commercial chicken sector in a rural area distant from major production centres. We surveyed 111 commercial chicken farms in Kenya in 2016. We targeted farms that sell the majority of their production, owning at least 50 chickens, partly or wholly confined and provided with feeds. We developed a typology of semi-intensive farms. Farms were found mainly to raise dual-purpose chickens of local and improved breeds, in association with crops and were not specialized in any single product or market. We identified four types of semi-intensive farms that were characterized based on two groups of variables related to intensification and accessibility: (i) remote, small-scale old farms, with small flocks, growing a lot of their own feed; (ii) medium-scale, old farms with a larger flock and well located in relation to markets and (iii) large-scale recently established farms, with large flocks, (iii-a) well located and buying chicks from third-party providers and (iii-b) remotely located and hatching their own chicks. The semi-intensive farms we surveyed were highly heterogeneous in terms of size, age, accessibility, management, opportunities and challenges. Farm location affects market access and influences the opportunities available to farmers, resulting in further diversity in farm profiles. The future of these semi-intensive farms could be compromised by several factors, including the competition with large-scale intensive farmers and with importations. Our study suggests that intensification trajectories in rural areas of LMICs are potentially complex, diverse and non-linear. A better understanding of intensification trajectories should, however, be based on longitudinal data. This could, in turn, help designing interventions to support small-scale farmers.

Hedman H.D., Eisenberg J.N., Trueba G., Rivera D.L., Herrera R.A., Barrazueta J.V., Rodriguez G.I., Krawczyk E., Berrocal V.J., Zhang L.

The emergence, spread, and persistence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a pressing global concern. Increased promotion of commercial small-scale agriculture within low-resource settings has facilitated an increased use in antimicrobials as growth promoters globally, creating antimicrobial-resistant animal reservoirs. We conducted a longitudinal field study in rural Ecuador to monitor the AMR of Escherichia coli populations from backyard chickens and children at three sample periods with approximately 2-month intervals (February, April, and June 2017). We assessed AMR to 12 antibiotics using generalized linear mixed effects models (GLMM). We also sampled and assessed AMR to the same 12 antibiotics in one-day-old broiler chickens purchased from local venders. One-day-old broiler chickens showed lower AMR at sample period 1 compared to sample period 2 (for 9 of the 12 antibiotics tested); increases in AMR between sample periods 2 and 3 were minimal. Two months prior to the first sample period (December 2016) there was no broiler farming activity due to a regional collapse followed by a peak in annual farming in February 2017. Between sample periods 1 and 2, we observed significant increases in AMR to 6 of the 12 antibiotics in children and to 4 of the 12 antibiotics in backyard chickens. These findings suggest that the recent increase in farming, and the observed increase of AMR in the one-day old broilers, may have caused the increase in AMR in backyard chickens and children. Small-scale farming dynamics could play an important role in the spread of AMR in low- and middle-income countries.

Hoover N.L., Law J.Y., Long L.A., Kanwar R.S., Soupir M.L.

A long-term poultry manure fertilizer study was initiated in 1998 and continued until 2009 under corn-soybean (CS) rotation. To match changing landscape trends, the plots were switched to continuous corn (CC) from 2010 to 2017. In both CS and CC phases, poultry manure (PM) was applied at the crop rotation recommended agronomic N rate and either half (CC phase) or double (CS phase) the recommended rate. Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) was applied to comparison plots at the crop recommended application rate (168 kg N ha-1 and 224 kg N ha-1 for the CS and CC phases, respectively) throughout the study. The objectives of this study include evaluation of the economic benefits of long-term PM application at various rates (PM2, PM, and PM0.5), and the impact of poultry manure application on soil health and nutrient levels, crop yield, and drainage water quality. Lower NO3-N concentrations were reported in drainage from PM treated plots when compared to UAN fertilizer applied at the same agronomic rate. Of the parameters tested for soil health analysis after twenty years of repeat application, particulate organic matter (POM) present was significantly greater in the PM treated soils (6.1-6.7 g kg soil-1) when compared to UAN plots (4.6 g kg soil-1), showing potential for stabilized soil particles, increased infiltration and water-holding capacity. The results show a consistent positive impact of manure application on corn and soybean yields when compared to yields observed in UAN treated plots. During the CS phase, we estimated the same average revenue per dollar spent for PM and UAN treatments, while the average return rate for PM2 was 1% lower; during CC phase,15% increased return rates were observed when PM0.5 and PM were compared against the UAN treatment. When managed properly, PM application to cropland is a sustainable option for diversifying agroecosystems, improving soil health and improving farm economics.

Andrew R., Makindara J., Mbaga S.H., Alphonce R.

A local chicken farming is an integral part of Tanzania's rural economy. However, despite its contributions to household economy and food security, local chicken productivity remains low because of low genetic potential, diseases and poor feeding. One of the options to increase local chicken productivity is the adoption of the chicken strains with high genetic potential. With that respect, Africa Genetic Gain project introduced Sasso and Kuroiler chicken strains for on-farm test purposes. Developmental design involved provision of 25 six weeks old chicks to 20 farmers in 12 sites making a total of 240 farmers in three regions. The study was carried out in Dodoma, Morogoro and Njombe regions to assess the effects of agro-ecological differences in the performance of these strains. The chicks were vaccinated against Mareks and Newcastle diseases at the hatchery; then against Infectious Bronchitis (IB) at 0, 7 10, 16 and 21 days. The Newcastle Disease vaccine was repeated after 10 and 21 days using LaSota vaccine. After 6 weeks, the chicks were again vaccinated against fowl pox ready for supply to farmers. A farm Simulation Model (FARMSIM) and Stochastic Efficiency with Respect to Function (SERF) were applied to access economic viability of these strains relative to local chickens. FARMSIM is a Monte Carlo Simulation Model that simultaneously evaluates a baseline and an alternative farming technology. To simulate using FARMSIM, Simulation and Econometrics to Analyse Risk (Simetar©), an excel add-in is needed as a simulating engine. Data were obtained through survey, farmers' records and simulation exercises. The results indicate that keeping Sasso strain was the most economically viable with the highest Net Present Value, Net Cash Farm Income and the highest probability of attaining economic return. Kuroiler was the second, followed by keeping local chickens without supplement and local chicken with supplement was the least economically viable enterprise. However, inclusion of risk behaviour revealed that extremely risk-averse farmers preferred mostly keeping local chickens without supplement whereas extremely risk loving farmers preferred the most Sasso strain. It is recommended that the introduced chicken strains should be promoted to increase household income and improve people's livelihoods. However, scaling up of the introduced chicken strains must be integrated with education on technical know-how for good farming practices, feed formulations, medication and shelter for improved productivity and reduced variability. • Local chicken genetic improvement is paramount to improvement the livelihood of small scale farmers in Tanzania. • Farm Level Economic and Nutrition Analysis (FARMSIM); a farm level Monte Carlo simulation model was applied. • Simulation and Econometrics to Analyse Risk (Simetar©) (an excel add-in) is a simulating engine of FARMSIM. • The model uses the stochastic simulation model to analyse impact of agricultural technologies in terms of NP, NCFI and IRR. • The results indicate that keeping introduced chicken strains was more economically viable than available chicken strains.

Van Boeckel T.P., Pires J., Silvester R., Zhao C., Song J., Criscuolo N.G., Gilbert M., Bonhoeffer S., Laxminarayan R.

Livestock antibiotic resistance Most antibiotic use is for livestock, and it is growing with the increase in global demand for meat. It is unclear what the increase in demand for antibiotics means for the occurrence of drug resistance in animals and risk to humans. Van Boeckel et al. describe the global burden of antimicrobial resistance in animals on the basis of systematic reviews over the past 20 years (see the Perspective by Moore). There is a clear increase in the number of resistant bacterial strains occurring in chickens and pigs. The current study provides a much-needed baseline model for low- and middle-income countries and provides a “one health” perspective to which future data can be added. Science , this issue p. eaaw1944 ; see also p. 1251

Mohamed R.I., Elsamadony H.A., Alghamdi R.A., ELdin A.L., EL-Shemy A., Abdel-Moez Amer S., Bahshwan S.M., El-Saadony M.T., El-Sayed H.S., El-Tarabily K.A., Saad A.S.

Nayak N., Bhanja S.K., Chakurkar E.B., Sahu A.R.

Assessing the adaptability of slow-growing rural chickens for improving thermotolerance to suit the global climate change is a major research need. This work was aimed to evaluate the adaptability of CARI-Debendra chickens and to identify the polymorphism as well as expression profiling of thermotolerant genes (HSP70 and GRP78) under prevailing temperature-humidity indices and thermal stress in a coastal environment. One hundred sixty straight run chicks were reared at THI≥75 (control) and THI>80 under coastal climate till 12 weeks. Polymorphism of HSP70 and GRP78 candidate genes were explored using restriction enzymes TaqI and HaeIII to identify possible thermotolerance markers. Expression profiling of both the genes in liver, intestine and pectoralis muscle was determined through quantitative real-time PCR. Rectal and body surface temperature recorded in the neck and back showed significant differences (P < 0.01) with higher temperature in THI>80 group. Comparatively lower live weights (P < 0.05) and poor FCR were recorded in THI>80 group. The villi height in all intestinal segments was significantly lower (P < 0.01), but deeper crypt depth was observed in THI>80 than control group. A lowest thymus weight (P < 0.05) was noted with no significant differences in immune response in treatment group. Serum levels of cholesterol, activities of lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase and concentration of potassium, sodium and thyroxine hormone were not different between the 2 groups. The concentration of triiodothyronine and chloride ion was lower in THI>80 group indicating adaptive changes for thermoregulation. HSP70 gene expressions in the three tissues were differentially increased (P < 0.01) by temperature-humidity indices, but the expression of GRP78 was not different between the 2 groups. The results concluded that the environmental factors interact with genetics on adaptability towards thermotolerance in slow-growing chickens.

Loengbudnark W., Chankitisakul V., Duangjinda M., Boonkum W.

Thai native chickens hold significant value in rural communities due to their adaptability and suitability for local rearing conditions. However, there are challenges in the commercial raising of these chickens. This study aimed to evaluate and promote the potential of Thai native chickens (Pradu Hang Dum) for commercial purposes and the development of sustainable native chicken farming. Out of 110 interested farmers, 88 met preliminary conditions and 62 were well-prepared and willing to comply with project conditions. Some farmers were disqualified for not understanding the project conditions or having inadequately prepared chicken coops. The survival rate of native chickens provided to farmers through the project was 52%. Among the surviving birds, 40% were male and 60% were female. The most common causes of death in the project were sickness, accidents, and fighting. The average body weights and average daily gains at different ages were significantly different among farm groups. The average egg production per hatch per hen was 13 ± 2.4 eggs. The highest egg production was in the good farms compared to moderate and poor farms. Better farm management led to higher egg production. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that effective farm management significantly enhances the productivity of Thai native chickens, highlighting their potential as an income-generating activity for rural communities. While challenges such as sickness and accidents impact survival rates, the findings suggest that improved management practices can lead to better production outcomes.

Hemanth M., Venugopal S., Devaraj C., Shashank C.G., Ponnuvel P., Mandal P.K., Sejian V.

The general objective of this study is to comparatively assess the climate-resilient potential of four different poultry genotypes-Giriraja (n = 8), Country chicken (n = 8), Naked neck (n = 8), and Kadaknath (n = 8)—reared in a hot-humid tropical environment. Birds from all genotypes had ad libitum access to feed and water and were exposed to identical environmental temperatures in the experimental shed. Diurnal meteorological data were recorded inside and outside the shed daily. Blood biochemical, hormonal, and endocrine variables were monitored monthly until the birds reached 12 weeks of age. Significant variations (P < 0.01) were observed at different intervals in variables, including total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Genotype-specific differences were noted in triglycerides (P < 0.01), albumin (P < 0.01), total protein (P < 0.05), and cholesterol (P < 0.05). Inter-genotype variations (P < 0.05) were also observed in serum cortisol, T3, and T4 levels. Distinct variations (P < 0.05) were also observed during specific intervals, particularly in cortisol and T3 levels. The study of hepatic mRNA expression of HSPs and HSF-1 revealed a significant breed difference (P < 0.05) in the expression pattern of HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP110, while no difference was observed between genotypes for HSP40 and HSF-1. The study highlights the Naked Neck breed as an exemplar of resilience, showcasing its distinctive ability to maintain homeostasis under heat stress compared to other genotypes. The genetic and physiological insights gained from this investigation offer prospective pathways for aligning sustainable poultry farming with environmental exigencies.

Mseleku C., Chimonyo M., Slotow R., Ngidi M.S.

Dietary diversity is one of the fundamental factors of nutritional security and a proxy used to measure diet quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between village chicken availability and the dietary diversity of households along a rural–urban gradient. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire in rural (n = 100), peri-urban (n = 100), and urban (n = 100) areas of Pietermaritzburg uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. A positive relationship between distance from the city center and village chicken flock sizes (p < 0.001) was observed. Consumption of vegetables increased with an increase in distance from the city center (p < 0.01). A quadratic relationship was observed between distance from the city center and consumption of livestock-derived foods (LDFs) (p < 0.05). Consumption of LDFs increased with an increase in village chicken flock sizes (p < 0.05). Consumption of vegetables increased with an increase in village chicken flock sizes (p < 0.01). Food variety score (FVS) increased with an increase in distance from the city center (p < 0.05). Assessing the availability of village chickens across rural–urban gradients is a worthy opportunity to utilize to improve households’ dietary diversity and alleviate poverty. It can be concluded that expanding village flock sizes could enhance the dietary diversity of households.

Mseleku C., Chimonyo M., Slotow R., Mhlongo L.C., Ngidi M.S.

Achieving sustainable and healthy food systems in support of human and planetary health is a global challenge. We systematically reviewed papers (n = 2322) showing how village chicken products (meat, eggs, and offal) contribute to sustainable and healthy food systems for children along a rural–urban gradient. A total of 72 articles, representing all different sections covered in this review, were finally included. Production of village chickens contributed positively on livestock-derived food consumption by children. Households who owned chickens were likely to move from medium to high dietary diversity. Children from households that owned chickens had lower odds of anemia (1.07) and higher height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) scores. Egg intervention increased HAZ and WAZ for children by 0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38–0.88] and 0.61 [95% CI, 0.45–0.77], respectively. Village chicken ownership had positive effect on children’s poultry meat and egg consumption. Per capita consumption of chicken by girls and boys combined was 38.2 g/day, where girls had 36.9 g/day and boys had 39.4 g/day. Children from households that owned chickens consumed eggs 2.8 more times per week compared to children from households without chickens. Moving along a rural–urban gradient, village chicken production was less common. Improved production and quality of village chicken products, and policies supporting optimal maternal and child intake these products are required.

Singh M., Patton R.N., Mollier R.T., Pongener N., Yadav R., Singh V., Katiyar R., Singh G.D., Deori S., Doley S., Chaudhary J.K., Babu S., Kalita H., Mishra V.K.

The indigenous chicken production system (ICPS) has several use values and ecosystem services. In the last few years, ICPS has been recognized for its possible contribution to household food security, income generation, wildlife protection, and bettering the women’s lives. This study aimed to collect, for the first time, comprehensive information about ICPS in three different agro-ecologies (tropical, sub-tropical, and sub-temperate) of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and its role in food and economic security of traditional communities. In this study region, ICPS is semi-extensive, providing homegrown feed and temporary night shelter. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, females owned non-significant (p = 0.170) more indigenous chicken flocks than males. Households in sub-temperate agro-ecologies had significantly (p ≤ 0.001) larger flock sizes and tropical livestock units (chicken-TLU). However, the livestock diversity index (LDI) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in tropical and subtropical agro-ecology. The households in the sub-temperate region highly (p ≤ 0.001) valued indigenous chicken because of its survivability and adaptability. In absolute numbers significant (p ≤ 0.001) higher numbers of adult birds died in past 1 year in sub-temperate agro-ecology. The mortality rate of adult birds in sub-temperate agro-ecology was 9%, and it was 14 and 15% in tropical and sub-tropical agro-ecologies, respectively. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, larger flock size translated into significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) egg production and subsequently a significant (p ≤ 0.001) higher egg consumption per household per month. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, households’ dietary diversity score was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher. Similarly, the average annual income from ICPS was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in sub-temperate agro-ecology and accounted for 18% of household income. ICPS’ marketing chain was relatively short in the sub-temperate region. In all agro-ecologies, indigenous chicken and egg demand was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in the winter. ICPS litter is used as farmyard manure, enhancing ecological resilience. In all agro-ecologies, the three most frequently cited obstacles to extending the indigenous chicken production system are illnesses, predators, and a lack of chicks availability. ICPS contributes to food and nutritional security, economic stability, and ecological resilience in this hilly and fragile ecosystem. Even though the system is self-sustaining, management and health interventions can increase production and productivity.

Kumar N.

AbstractThe dramatic increase in poultry production and consumption (PPC) over the past decades has raised questions about its impacts on biodiversity, particularly in the Global South. This study focuses on the ecological and environmental impacts of PPC waste metabolism at Asia’s largest livestock wet market, located next to the continent’s largest landfill ofGhazipurin Delhi, which I have been monitoring since 2012.Daily processing of >100,000 poultry-fowls atGhazipurresults in an annual production of ∼27,375 metric tonnes of poultry-waste, attracting massive flocks of Black-eared kites, migratory facultative scavengers that winter in South Asia. Approximately >33,600 kites foraged in the area every day and disposed 8.83% of the total PPC slaughter-remains produced during October-April. However, with their return migration to Central Asia, kite flocks overGhazipurreduced by 90%, leading to a proportional decrease in scavenging services. Absence of kites from the larger, migratory race during May-September did not elicit any compensatory response from the small Indian kite, whose numbers over landfill remained unchanged. This raises vital questions about microclimate impacts by green house gases (GHG) released from massive amounts of routine detritus. Bearing in mind the prevalence of ritual feeding of meat chunks to kites in Delhi, my research indicates how life-history traits (migratory vs. resident) enable exploitation of specific anthropogenic resources, creating distinct kite-niche(s). Other opportunistic scavengers, e.g., dogs, rats, cattle-egrets, several passerines, and livestock (fishes and pigs) also benefited from PPC waste.Public health and ethical concerns, including Avian-influenza outbreaks in 2018-21 and pandemic-lockdowns from 2020-22 - that affected informal meat processing - reduced the flocking of kites atGhazipurby altering spatial dispersion of PPC remains.Waste-biomass driven cross-species associations can exacerbate zoonotic threats by putting humans and animals in close contact. The ecological impacts of waste-based biomass, as well as the aerospace conflicts caused by avian scavengers that cause birdstrikes must factor in the integrated management of city waste. The quantity, type, dispersion, and accessibility of food-waste for opportunistic urban fauna in tropical cities along avian migratory pathways are crucial for public health, and for conservation of (facultative) migratory avian-scavengers like Eurasian Griffons and Steppe Eagles that are facing extinction threats.Lay SummaryThe global trend of increasing consumption of broiler chickens, driven by rising incomes in tropical cities, has significant ecological implications for both native and migratory birds, as well as other commensal species.The resulting large amounts of debris produced by poultry production and consumption have created a “chicken reconfigured biosphere” in cities along migratory paths.To better understand the local and global impacts of poultry production and consumption chains, I conducted a long-term study at Asia’s largest livestock wet market inGhazipur, Delhi.The findings reveal that informal handling of poultry waste and cultural practices have had significant impacts on animals that scavenge on the slaughter remains, particularly during the bird flu and COVID-19 pandemics.The study recommends ways to minimise conflicts and health risks and reduce the potential impacts of rotting garbage on the climate by accommodating animals that have adapted to shared urban environments.

Sharma R., Sehrawat R., Ahlawat S., Sharma V., Thakur M.S., Mishra A.K., Arora R., Tantia M.S.

Backyard poultry farming contributes to food security, nutrition, and the regular income of rural farmers in India. Their products have a niche market here and fetch higher prices than those of commercial poultry. Improved varieties are being developed to overcome the slow growth, late sexual maturity, and low production of indigenous breeds, while retaining their positive attributes. A comprehensive study was conducted to analyze the functional attributes of meat from the Jabalpur color (JBC), a colored, improved dual-purpose synthetic line, developed by Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, India. The birds were managed in a deep litter system under a backyard type of housing (night shelter and free range). Primal meat cuts (breast and thigh) of the male birds (n = 20/group) were evaluated at the age of marketing. The corresponding attributes were compared with the results obtained for commercial Cobb (400) broilers. The protein concentration of JBC breast (25.65 ± 0.39 g/100 g of tissue) and thigh (19.04 ± 0.23 g/100 g of tissue) meat was superior (p ≤ 0.05) to that of Cobb broilers. Established assays (in vitro) identified a better (p ≤ 0.05) antioxidation capacity in the JBC meat. High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed a considerable quantity of functional biomolecules (carnosine, anserine, and creatine) in the JBC breast and thigh meat extracts. The average carnosine concentration (mg/g of tissue) was 2.66 ± 0.09 and 1.11 ± 0.04 in the JBC breast and thigh meat, respectively. The mRNA expression was quantified by qRT-PCR for the carnosine-related genes: β-alanine transporter (SLC36A1), carnosine-synthesizing enzyme (CARNS1), and carnosine-degrading enzyme (CNDP2); this explained the comparable carnosine in the JBC and Cobb meat. Meat extracts from both genetic groups (JBC and Cobb) had high anti-glycation potential. Higher protein content and antioxidant capacity, along with the bioactive dipeptides in the JBC meat, herald exciting research opportunities for its use in improving the traditional backyard poultry farming system.