Phenotype and Genetic Analysis of Growth Characteristics of Sabu and Semau Chickens Which are Conserved Ex-Situ

Abstract

Abstract Sabu and Semau chickens are originated from Sabu and Semau islands, East Nusa Tenggara. The aim of this study was to analyze the phenotypic and genetic of growth characteristics of Sabu and Semau chickens which were conserved ex-situ. Four mating groups as treatments and each using 4 males and 24 females, produced 144 chicks as research material. Mating was by artificial insemination. Observations include data on body weight from the age of 0 - 12 weeks. Nested design analysis were used to obtain the variance components used to estimate the heritability. Heritability was estimated based on male, female, and total variance. The results showed that the body weight resulting from the interse mating (SS) was better than other crosses. The estimation of heritability based on male variance (h2 S), SS, MM, and SM showed positive values, while MS are more negative, except 8 weeks of age. Likewise based on females (h2 D) and the total variance (h2 S+D). Heritability estimates of body weight were low to hight (-2.31 to 2.33) due to small data or sample size. It can be concluded that Sabu and Semau chickens can be conserved ex-situ.