The red and black-red native chickens of Malaysia

E. A. Engku Azahan

Abstract

Two common varieties of native chickens of Malaysia were selected among the varied group of 900 local birds, based mainly on plumage colour. These were the red and black-red varieties. Except for plumage colour and comb type, many phenotypic similarities existed between the two varieties. The red variety had reddish plumage and a single comb while a mixture of black and red was the predominant plumage colours of the black-red variety which also had comb types of either rose, walnut, buttercup or pea. The reproductive traits and growth performance of the two varieties of kampung chickens were inferior to the respective values usually associated with commercial chickens. Between the two varieties, differences in each of the reproductive and growth variables were small and not significant. It is concluded that each variety was basically of mixed hybrids and had yet to achieve homogeneity status.

Full Text (45 KB)