Evaluation of selection strategies in dual-purpose and specialized breeding of indigenous chicken.

This study aimed to evaluate various selection strategies for adoption in dual-purpose (ICD), meat (ICM) and layer (ICL) breeding goals in indigenous chicken breeding programs. The ICM goal aimed to improve live weight (LW), daily gain (ADG) and egg weight (EW) or together with feed efficiency and antibody response. For the ICL goal, age at first egg (AFE) and egg number (EN) or together with feed efficiency and antibody response were targeted.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations among feed efficiency, immune and production traits in indigenous chicken of Kenya.

This study aimed at estimating genetic and phenotypic relationships among feed efficiency, immune and production traits measured pre- (9-20 weeks of age) and post- (12 weeks from on-set of lay) maturity. Production traits were average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed-intake (ADFI) in the pre-maturity period and age at first egg (AFE), average daily feed-intake (ADFI) and average daily egg mass (EM) in the post-maturity period. Feed efficiency comprised of residual feed intake (RFI) estimated in both periods.

Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing KLH binding natural antibodies and specific antibody response to Newcastle disease in Kenyan chicken populations.

This study aimed at investigating the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on immune traits to inform on possibilities of genetic improvement of disease resistance traits in local chicken of Kenya. Immune traits such as natural and specific antibodies are considered suitable indicators of an individual's health status and consequently, used as indicator traits of disease resistance. In this study, natural antibodies binding to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH-NAbs) was used to measure general disease resistance.

Selection Signature Analyses Revealed Genes Associated With Adaptation, Production, and Reproduction in Selected Goat Breeds in Kenya.

Artificial and natural selection in livestock is expected to leave unique footprints on their genomes. Goat breeds in Kenya have evolved for survival, breeding, and production in various harsh ecological areas, and their genomes are likely to have acquired unique alleles for adaptation to such diverse production environments and other traits of economic importance. To investigate signals of selection for some selected goat breeds in Kenya, Alpine ( = 29), Galla ( = 12), Saanen ( = 24), and Toggenburg ( = 31) were considered.

Population structure and demographic trends of the registered Sahiwal cattle in Kenya.

Sahiwal cattle breed is an important genetic resource that supports livelihoods of pastoralists in Kenya. However, information about its population structure, demographic trends, and genetic diversity is scarce. The objective of this study was to characterize the population structure, explore demographic trends, and evaluate genetic diversity parameters of the breed through pedigree analysis.

Are government veterinary paraprofessionals serving the poor? The perceptions of smallholder livestock farmers in Western Kenya.

The liberalization of clinical veterinary services in Kenya introduced new service providers into the animal health service sector. This study examines the perceptions of livestock farmers regarding these service providers and analyses the factors that influence their choice of alternative service providers in Kakamega County. The empirical analysis shows that private animal health assistants were perceived to provide better services than alternative providers because they are more accessible and offer services on credit.

Production objectives and breeding goals of Sahiwal cattle keepers in Kenya and implications for a breeding programme.

The Sahiwal breed has been used for upgrading the East African Zebu (EAZ) for improved milk production and growth performance in the southern rangelands of Kenya. Main users of this breed are Maasai pastoralists. Until now, there has been no deliberate effort to understand why these pastoralists specifically prefer to keep Sahiwal genetic resources as well as which traits are considered important by them and what is the underlying reason for this.

Factors that determine use of breeding services by smallholder dairy farmers in Central Kenya.

This study examined the determinants of smallholder dairy farmers' use of breeding services in Nyandarua and Kiambu districts, Central Kenya. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 140 randomly selected respondents. The breeding services considered were artificial insemination (AI), natural bull service, or a combination of AI and bull services.

Direct and maternal (co)variance components, genetic parameters and annual trends for growth traits of Dorper sheep in semi-arid Kenya.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated for lamb growth traits for the Dorper sheep in semi-arid Kenya using an animal model. Data on lamb growth performance were extracted from available performance records at the Sheep and Goats Station in Naivasha, Kenya. Growth traits considered were body weights at birth (BW0, kg), at 1 month (BW1, kg), at 2 months (BW2, kg), at weaning (WW, kg), at 6 months (BW6, kg), at 9 months (BW9, kg) and at yearling (YW, kg), average daily gain from birth to 6 months (ADG(0-6), gm) and from 6 months to 1 year (ADG(6-12), gm).