Abstract
This study was done in Nagar of Baraigram Upazila of Natore district and in Sarail Upazila
of Brahmanbaria district to know the present status of Indigenous and Aseel chicken and
to characterize in term of their morphology, productivity and genotypes in situ. Attempt
was also made to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding value for some economic
traits of Aseel. At first, a base line survey was conducted in the selected areas to find out
the population dynamics, and also to enlist the phonotypic characteristics and
management system practiced for Indigenous chicken and Aseel in the home tract.
Morphology and management was studied in foundation generation (Go), productivity
was studied in subsequent generation (G₁) and genetic parameters were studied in Aseel
covering Gı and G2 generation. Distinct morphological variation was observed for shank
color, comb type and height between two genotypes of chickens. Body weight and growth
rate of Aseel was significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of indigenous chicken. These
differences affected meat yield. However, there was no difference between dressing
percent of meat (almost 54%) in both genotypes. Aseel hens attained puberty at earlier age
(205.92± 3.29 days) than Indigenous chicken (237.94± 0.51 days). Number of Clutch per
laying year of two genotypes was almost similar (3.86), but Aseel produced more egg in
the same period (48 VS 36 for Aseel and Indigenous chicken, respectively) and also larger
eggs (49 VS 39 g for Aseel and Indigenous chicken, respectively). Genetic markers viz.,
GHR2, GHR5, IGF 1 and IGF 11 responded positively in PCR-RFLP test with variable
alleles in two genotypes. Aseel was in Hardy -Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies
of IGF1 and GHR2. Heritability estimated for egg production traits of Aseel was medium
to low. Breeding value estimated for egg weight of Aseel showed wide variation indicated
that selection is possible with bird of higher genetic merit. The results of this study
conducted in situ indicated that Aseel is superior for body weight and meat yield; so
genetic improvement program can be taken for Aseel to develop a meat type line in future.