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Characterization of morphological, reproductive, and productive performances of Mugellese breed: an update of knowledge.
- Source :
-
Poultry science [Poult Sci] 2023 Jan; Vol. 102 (1), pp. 102259. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Oct 19. - Publication Year :
- 2023
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Abstract
- The recovery, safeguarding, and valorization of autochthonous poultry breeds may contribute toward the preservation of animal biodiversity and utilization of marginal lands that otherwise offer little agricultural or industrial value. A key strategy in promoting local breeds involves the characterization of morphological traits and productive performances, which are influenced by the breed's genetic make-up as well as its environment. The Mugellese breed is an Italian local poultry breed originating in the Mugello area of north-east Tuscany. It is characterized by frugality, resilience and resistance to disease, cold, and heat stress. Moreover, these birds are particularly suitable for free-range farming. The Mugellese chicken is described as a dwarf breed with a medium neck, broad shoulders, fairly long and horizontal wings, wide, and well-developed breast (especially in the hen). Over the course of a 1-yr observation and data collection period, involving 23 breeders and 405 adult chickens, the Mugellese breed showed the following performances: 1) a hen-day egg production characterized by 2 major peaks: the first in the spring time (March-April, 65.75%), and the second in the late summer period (August-September, 51.86%); 2) high true fertility values (94.35%) throughout the entire breeding season; 3) a weight gain of 732.44 ± 117.06 g and a feed conversion ratio of 3.94 ± 2.42 at an age of 140 d; 4) a slaughter yield of 77.80% (± 3.91); v) a respective protein, fat, and mineral content in the yolk and albumen were: 27.21 ± 4.21 g, 57.77 ± 1.03 g and 3.47 ± 0.40 g per 100 g of yolk; and 82.50 ± 0.57 g, 0.12 ± 0.01 g and 5.43 ± 0.34 g per 100 g of albumen. More data are needed to validate the data obtained in this trial.<br />Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors declare that they have no competing interests.<br /> (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Female
Fertility
Agriculture
Italy
Chickens genetics
Reproduction
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1525-3171
- Volume :
- 102
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Poultry science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36413899
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.102259