Local chicken breeds of Africa : their description, uses and conservation methods

Abstract

There has been a research gap in the genetic, physiological, and nutritional aspects of indigenous chickens of Africa over the past decade. These chickens are known to be economically, socially, and culturally important to the people of Africa, especially those from marginalised communities. Although they are associated with poor productivity in terms of the number of eggs laid, most consumers prefer their flavoursome meat. Several local chickens have been classified into breeds or ecotypes, but many remain unidentified and are facing extinction. To prevent this, the Food and Agriculture Organization has launched an indigenous poultry conservation programme. In addition, the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa has established a programme to protect four local chicken breeds. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed understanding of the description, uses and conservation methods of local chicken breeds of Africa. Several studies have been conducted on the nutritional requirements of local chickens, but the results were inconclusive and contradictory. This review concludes that local chickens play a significant role in improving livelihoods, and strategies to preserve and sustain them must be intensified.