Morphometric and Morphologic Study of Non-Descript Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Baguio City

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the morphometric and morphologic characteristics of non-descript chickens in Baguio City from April to May 2016. Specifically, the study aimed to determine whether there is distinct and unrecognized chicken in Baguio, City and to validate breed identity and provide systematic description of phenotype among native populations in the locality. The samples were drawn from the eight barangays namely Camp 7, Pinget, Irisan, San Vicente and Pinsao. A total of 332 non-descript chickens consisting of 301 hens and 31 roosters were used in the study. The results of the study showed physical variation in morphologic and morphometric characteristics among native hens and roosters. The identified strains were Banaba, Bolinao, Camarines, Darag, Labuyo and Paraoakan for the hens, Banaba, Bolinao, Camarines,Darag, Labuyo, and Paraoakan for the roosters. The dominant strain identified was the Camarines. The Camarines rooster was observed to have normal feather morphology of feather distribution. The plumage pattern observed were 71.43 % barred and 28.57 % mottled. The plumage colors were 57.14 % white and 42.86 % black. The skin and shank color were yellow. The earlobe color is red. The Camarines is single combed of which 57.14% have large combs while 42.86% have medium combs. Similarly the Camarines hens have normal feather morphology and distribution. The dominant plumage pattern was mottled 54.17% followed by 45.33% laced. The plumage colors were black, 45.38% wheaten, 38.89% and brown, 11%. The skin and shank color were white, the earlobes are red. The comb type is single, small in sizes. The eye color is orange. The Banaba has an average body weight of 1.40 ± kgs for the hen and 1.80 ± kgs for the rooster. The average body length of Banaba is 35 cm for the hen and 43 cm for the rooster with a mean of 39±5.66. The average shank length for the rooster is 7.0 cm and 5.5cm for the hens. The average wing span of the chickens is 41.0cm for the hen and 48.0cm for the roosters. The average chest circumference of the chicken is 27.0cm for the hen and 29.5cm for the rooster. The Bolinao has an average body weight of 1.50 kgs for the hen and 2.0 kgs for the rooster. Body length of Bolinao is 38.0 cm for the hen and 44.0 cm for the rooster. Average shank length of the rooster is 7.0 cm and 6.0 cm for the hens. The average wing span of the chickens is 43.0 cm for the hen and 49.0cm for the roosters. The average chest circumference of the chicken is 27.0cm for the hen and 30.0cm for the rooster. The Camarines roosters had a body weight of 2.0 kg, 45.0 cm body length, 7.3 cm shank length, 48.5 cm wingspan and 30.0 cm chest circumference. The Camarines hens a body weight, body length, shank length, wingspan and chest circumference of 1.50 kg, 38 cm, 6.6 cm, 43.0 cm and 28.0 cm, respectively. The Darag rooster had a body weight of 1.80 kg, 43.0 cm body length, 7.5 cm shank length, 44.0 cm wingspan and 29.5 cm chest circumference. On the other hand, Darag hen had a body weight, body length, shank length, wing span, chest circumference of 1.6kg, 38.0cm, 6.7cm, 43.0cm, and 28.0cm, respectively. The Labuyo rooster had a body weight, body length, shank length, wingspan and chest circumference of 1.3 kg, 26.0 cm, 5.3 cm, 31.0 cm and 25.0 cm, respectively. The Labuyo hen had a body weight of 1.0kg, body length of 24.0cm, shank length of 4.5cm, wingspan of 28.0 cm, and chest circumference of 24.0cm. The Paraoakan roosters had a body weight of 2.5kg, body length of 41.48cm, shank length of 8.5cm, wingspan of 51.0cm and chest circumference of 30.0 cm. On the other hand, hens had a body weight, body length, shank length, wingspan and chest circumference of 1.60 kg, 38.0 cm, 6.5cm, 44.0cm and 28.0 cm, respectively. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that chicken population in Baguio City is made up of six strains that include Banaba, Bolinao, Camarines, Darag, Labuyo and Paraoakan. Based on the result of the study, it is suggested that further studies be conducted to validate breed identity and provide systematic descriptions of phenotypes among identified native chicken.