Data di Pubblicazione:
2021
Citazione:
Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Conservation Status and Rearing Systems in Use / A. Castillo, M. Gariglio, A. Franzoni, D. Soglia, S. Sartore, A. Buccioni, F. Mannelli, M. Cassandro, F. Cendron, C. Castellini, A.C. Mancinelli, N. Iaffaldano, M.D. Iorio, M. Marzoni, S. Salvucci, S. Cerolini, L. Zaniboni, A. Schiavone. - In: ANIMALS. - ISSN 2076-2615. - 11:2(2021 Feb 12). [10.3390/ani11020490]
Abstract:
The most reared species of farm animal around the world is the chicken. However, the
intensification of livestock systems has led to a gradual increase in the concentration of a limited
number of breeds, resulting in substantial erosion to the genetic pool. The initial step of an ‘animal
conservation program’ entails establishing the actual conservation statuses of the breeds concerned
in a defined area; in this case, in Italy. To this end, a survey of breeds was performed by means of a
census questionnaire divided into two parts. The first part collected information on breeds,
breeders, housing facilities, and management aspects, the results of which are presented here. The
second part of the questionnaire regarded chicken products and their markets, and these data will
be reported in a second paper. The breed status of six chicken breeds was shown to be exceptionally
worrying, with total numbers ranging from just 18 to 186 birds. Population sizes exceeding 1000
birds was identified for just four breeds, the maximum being 3400. Some improvements in status
were noted in relation to breeds which had been the subject of conservation efforts in the past. The
two most common breeds reported are the Bionda Piemontese, a double-purpose breed, and the
Livorno egg-laying hen. Collo Nudo Italiano, Millefiori Piemontese, Pollo Trentino, and Tirolese
chicken breeds and the Castano Precoce turkey breed were not listed by breeders at all. The most
reported turkey breeds are the Bronzato Comune and the Ermellinato di Rovigo. The population sizes of native Italian poultry breeds were shown to be generally poor. Italian poultry farmers and
the population at large are largely ignorant about indigenous poultry breeds. Thus, promoting the
virtues of Italian breeds would help their conservation by encouraging breeders to rear these birds
and consumers to buy their products. The identification of strategies to facilitate access to pure breed
birds is essential, and will require the collaboration of university research centers, public entities,
and breeders. The results presented in this paper constitute the initial part of a more complex conservation program.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Italian poultry breeds; avian biodiversity; autochthonous poultry;
Elenco autori:
A. Castillo, M. Gariglio, A. Franzoni, D. Soglia, S. Sartore, A. Buccioni, F. Mannelli, M. Cassandro, F. Cendron, C. Castellini, A.C. Mancinelli, N. Iaffaldano, M.D. Iorio, M. Marzoni, S. Salvucci, S. Cerolini, L. Zaniboni, A. Schiavone
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