A method for breeding a specialized line of Lindun chicken with shank blue, feather fluff and green shell egg

Abstract

The application discloses a breeding method of a specialized line of Lindun chicken with blue shank, flaky feather and green shell eggs, and belongs to the technical field of animal breeding. The method is as follows: a base group is formed by selecting male Lindun chickens with the characteristics of blue shank and flaky feather and female Lindun chickens with green shell eggs in a Lindun chicken breeding population; the chickens in the base group are mated without sibling relationship to breed F1 generation; when F1 generation chicks are hatched, the chicks are preliminarily selected according to feather color and shank color; the preliminarily selected individuals are fed to the end of 4 weeks of age, blood is collected, the green shell egg genotype is detected by using a molecular marker method, and the individuals containing the green shell egg gene are kept for breeding; the kept-for-breeding individuals are bred in a closed group, the flaky feather, blue shank and green shell egg traits are continuously selected, and the egg production and survival rate are also considered; after four generations of selection, the specialized line of Lindun chicken with flaky feather, blue shank and all green shell eggs is obtained; the method can ensure that the newly bred Lindun chicken has a green shell egg ratio of 100% and has the characteristics of high-quality chicken.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of animal breeding technology, specifically relating to a breeding method for a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs. Background Technology

[0002] Commonly, eggs are classified by shell color into brown, white, and pink shells. In recent years, a small number of green-shelled eggs have appeared, currently mainly circulating in the high-end egg market. With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the demand for high-quality specialty eggs and chicken is gradually increasing. Lindian chicken, a high-quality local chicken breed included in the National List of Protected Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources, produces excellent eggs and has delicious meat, making it an ideal source for producing high-quality eggs and chicken. Blue shanks and mottled feathers are important characteristics of chicken appearance and key indicators of quality. Eggshell color is the most direct visual representation of an egg and an important factor for consumers when choosing eggs.

[0003] In the early stages, it was found that some Lindian chickens had mottled feathers, blue shanks, and laid green-shelled eggs, but the number was small, and the three traits were mostly distributed among different chickens. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a practical and effective breeding method for a specialized Lindian chicken breed with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs, which would combine the three traits into one breed. The newly bred breed would be able to produce green-shelled eggs and also ensure that culled chickens have the characteristics of high-quality chickens, bringing better economic benefits to farmers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a breeding method for a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs. This method can ensure that the newly bred Lindian chickens have a 100% green-shelled egg production rate, and that the hens that are taken off the shelf have the characteristics of high-quality chickens and high economic value.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: a breeding method for a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs, as follows: In the Lindian chicken breeding population, male Lindian chickens with blue shanks and mottled feathers and female chickens that lay green-shelled eggs are selected to form a basic group. The chickens in the basic group are mated without sibling relationships to breed the F1 generation. When the F1 generation chicks hatch, their feather color and shank color are initially selected. Individuals initially selected for feather color and shank color are raised to the end of 4 weeks of age, and blood is collected. Using molecular markers, the green-shelled egg genotype is detected, and individuals containing the green-shelled egg gene are retained for breeding. These retained individuals are then bred in a closed colony to continue selecting for the mottled feathers, blue shanks, and green-shelled egg traits, while also considering egg production and survival rate. After four generations of selection, a specialized Lindian chicken strain with mottled feathers, blue shanks, and all green-shelled eggs is obtained.

[0006] Furthermore, the breeding method for a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs, as described above, specifically includes the following steps:

[0007] S1: Select 1000 16-week-old Lindian chickens to form a generation 0 base group. The individual chickens in the base group should have a clear pedigree.

[0008] S2: The roosters in the basic flock should have the characteristics of blue shanks and mottled feathers;

[0009] S3: The chickens selected in step S2 are mated at 25 weeks of age, avoiding sibling relationships, and the next generation of chickens is hatched and bred using pedigree.

[0010] S4: The first generation of chicks bred are culled, and weak chicks and individuals with abnormal development are eliminated. The remaining healthy chicks are selected with blue shanks and three stripes on their backs, which means they will develop into individuals with mottled feathers. They are then sexed. Each chick after sexing is fitted with a wing tag that can reflect the individual's pedigree and sex information.

[0011] S5: When the first generation chicks reach 4 weeks of age, blood is collected from the wing vein. The DNA of the collected blood samples is extracted, and the green-shelled egg genotype is detected using molecular markers. Homozygous and heterozygous individuals containing the green-shelled egg genotype are retained, while individuals without the green-shelled egg genotype are culled.

[0012] S6: The chickens left in step S5 are allowed to eat and drink freely; when the chickens reach 16 weeks of age, a second selection is made based on feather color and shank color, and individuals that meet the requirements are kept for breeding.

[0013] S7: Raise the chickens selected in step S6 to 25 weeks of age. Conduct semen collection training and semen quality testing on the roosters, and select individuals with sufficient semen volume and good semen quality for breeding. Observe the development and egg production of the hens, and select individuals with red combs, soft abdomens, and who are in the egg-laying period for breeding. Test the individuals selected for breeding for leukemia and pullorum disease, and cull positive individuals. The remaining individuals are mated according to a male:female ratio of 1:10, avoiding sibling relationships, and hatched through pedigree breeding to produce two generations of chickens.

[0014] S8: Repeat step S4 for second-generation chickens;

[0015] S9: When the second generation chicks reached 4 weeks of age, blood was collected from the wing vein. DNA was extracted from the collected blood samples, and the genotype of green-shelled eggs was detected using molecular markers. Only individuals with homozygous green-shelled eggs were retained in this test.

[0016] S10: The chickens left in step S9 are allowed to eat and drink freely; when the chickens reach 16 weeks of age, a second selection is made based on feather color and shank color, keeping individuals with mottled feathers and blue shanks. This time, the breeding rate of roosters is 30%, and the breeding rate of hens is 45%.

[0017] S11: After the hens left in step S10 start laying eggs, record the eggshell color and number of eggs laid. When the hens are 40 weeks old, count the number of eggs laid by each family line, sort them according to the egg production of each family line, and select families whose average egg production is above the group average for breeding. Among the families selected for breeding, select individual hens whose individual egg production is also higher than the group average as the female line for breeding the next generation. The breeding rate at this time is 30-40%.

[0018] S12: The roosters left in step S10 are selected once according to the egg production of their siblings and the family selection method, with a retention rate of 10%. Then, a second selection is made based on the semen collection and semen quality, with a retention rate of 2-3% after the selection.

[0019] S13: Test the chickens selected in steps S10 and S11 for leukemia and pullorum disease, eliminate positive individuals, and mate the remaining individuals without sibling relationships, and breed three generations of chickens through pedigree incubation.

[0020] S14: Repeat steps S8-13. After three generations of selective breeding, a specialized system of Lindian chickens with mottled feathers, blue shanks, and all green-shelled eggs can be obtained. The retention rate is obtained by dividing the selected chickens by the number of chicks and multiplying by 100%.

[0021] Furthermore, step S5 employs the SLCO1B3 molecular marker genotype detection method.

[0022] Furthermore, the egg production of specialized Lindian chicken breeds obtained using the above method is higher than that of the Lindian chicken breeding population.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: First, the specialized breed of Lindian chicken with mottled feathers and green shanks, bred by this invention, can produce green-shelled eggs at a rate of 100%. Second, the specialized breed of Lindian chicken with mottled feathers and green shanks, bred by this invention, has the typical appearance characteristics of high-quality chickens, and its market price at the time of culling is significantly higher than that of ordinary laying hens. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific implementation examples. These implementation examples are only a part of the implementation examples of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, this implementation case provides a breeding method for a specialized strain of green-shelled eggs from the Qinggan and Mayu Lindian chickens. The specific process includes the following steps:

[0028] S1: Select 1,000 Lindian chickens around 16 weeks old to form a generation 0 basic group. The individual chickens in the basic group should have a clear pedigree.

[0029] S2: The roosters in the basic flock should have the characteristics of blue shanks and mottled feathers;

[0030] S3: The chickens selected in step S2 are mated at 25 weeks of age, avoiding sibling relationships, and the next generation of chickens is hatched and bred using pedigree.

[0031] S4: The first generation of chicks bred are culled, and weak chicks and individuals with abnormal development are eliminated. The remaining healthy chicks are selected with blue shanks and three stripes on their backs, which means they will develop into individuals with mottled feathers. They are then sexed. Each chick after sexing is fitted with a wing tag that can reflect the individual's pedigree and sex information.

[0032] S5: When the first generation chicks reach 4 weeks of age, blood is collected from the wing vein. The DNA of the collected blood samples is extracted, and the green-shelled egg genotype is detected using molecular markers. Homozygous and heterozygous individuals containing the green-shelled egg genotype are retained, while individuals without the green-shelled egg genotype are culled.

[0033] S6: The chickens left in step S5 are allowed to eat and drink freely; when the chickens reach 16 weeks of age, a second selection is made based on feather color and shank color, and individuals that meet the requirements are kept for breeding.

[0034] S7: Raise the chickens selected in step S6 to 25 weeks of age. Conduct semen collection training and semen quality testing on the roosters, and select individuals with sufficient semen volume and good semen quality for breeding. Observe the development and egg production of the hens, and select individuals with red combs, soft abdomens, and who are in the egg-laying period for breeding. Test the individuals selected for breeding for leukemia and pullorum disease, and cull positive individuals. The remaining individuals are mated according to a male:female ratio of 1:10, avoiding sibling relationships, and hatched through pedigree breeding to produce two generations of chickens.

[0035] S8: Repeat step S4 for second-generation chickens;

[0036] S9: When the second generation chicks reached 4 weeks of age, blood was collected from the wing vein. DNA was extracted from the collected blood samples, and the genotype of green-shelled eggs was detected using molecular markers. Only individuals with homozygous green-shelled eggs were retained in this test.

[0037] S10: The chickens left in step S9 are allowed to eat and drink freely; when the chickens reach 16 weeks of age, a second selection is made based on feather color and shank color, keeping individuals with mottled feathers and blue shanks. This time, the breeding rate of roosters is 30%, and the breeding rate of hens is 45%.

[0038] S11: After the hens left in step S10 start laying eggs, record the eggshell color and number of eggs laid. When the hens are 40 weeks old, count the number of eggs laid by each family line, sort them according to the egg production of each family line, and select families whose average egg production is above the group average for breeding. Among the families selected for breeding, select individual hens whose individual egg production is also higher than the group average as the female line for breeding the next generation. The breeding rate at this time is 30-40%.

[0039] S12: The roosters left in step S10 are selected once according to the egg production of their siblings and the family selection method, with a retention rate of 10%. Then, a second selection is made based on the semen collection and semen quality, with a retention rate of 2-3% after the selection.

[0040] S13: Test the chickens selected in steps S10 and S11 for leukemia and pullorum disease, eliminate positive individuals, and mate the remaining individuals without sibling relationships, and breed three generations of chickens through pedigree incubation.

[0041] S14: Repeat steps S8-13. After three generations of selective breeding, a specialized system of Lindian chickens with mottled feathers, blue shanks, and all green-shelled eggs can be obtained. The retention rate is obtained by dividing the selected chickens by the number of chicks and multiplying by 100%.

[0042] The specialized breed of Lindian chicken with green-shelled eggs developed by this invention can achieve a 100% green-shelled egg production rate, and the egg production is 20% higher than that of the breeding flock. Because the chickens have the typical appearance characteristics of high-quality chickens, their market price at the time of culling is significantly higher than that of ordinary laying hens.

[0043] This invention combines traditional breeding techniques with modern molecular marker-assisted breeding technology, applying the SLCO1B3 molecular marker to the selection of green-shelled egg breeds in Lindian chickens. By detecting the SLCO1B3 molecular marker (homozygous / heterozygous) genotype, all individuals in the flock can be made homozygous for green-shelled eggs in a single process. This solves the problems of roosters not being able to select eggshell color based on phenotype and hens not being able to eliminate heterozygous green-shelled eggs through testcrosses, thus accelerating the breeding process. Based on green-shelled egg production, further selection of appearance traits and egg production can improve the egg production performance of chickens and the market value of culled chickens, increasing the production efficiency of green-shelled eggs and creating greater economic benefits for farmers.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] 1000 individuals were selected from the Lindian chicken breeding population to form a base group. Based on the base group, the chickens were selected for mottled feathers, blue shanks, and green eggshell color using the method in Example 1. After the above quality traits were purified, the egg production of the group was selected using the closed-group selection method. The average egg production of each family was calculated first, and then the families were ranked according to the average egg production. Families with an average egg production of more than the group average were selected as candidate families for breeding. Then, among the candidate families, individuals with an egg production higher than the group average were selected for breeding. After three generations of selection, the average egg production of the newly bred strain of chickens at 66 weeks was 149 eggs, which was higher than the average egg production of 133 eggs at 66 weeks of the Lindian chicken breeding population.

Claims

1. A method for breeding a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs, characterized in that, The method is as follows: In the Lindian chicken conservation population, male Lindian chickens with blue shanks and mottled feathers and female chickens that lay green-shelled eggs were selected to form a foundation group. These foundation group chickens were mated without sibling relationships to breed the F1 generation. At hatching, the F1 chicks underwent preliminary selection for feather and shank color. Individuals initially selected for feather and shank color were raised to the end of four weeks of age, and blood samples were collected. Using molecular markers, the green-shelled egg genotype was detected, and individuals carrying the green-shelled egg gene were retained for breeding. These retained individuals were then bred in a closed colony to continue selecting for mottled feathers, blue shanks, and green-shelled egg traits, while also considering egg production and survival rate. After four generations of selection, a specialized Lindian chicken strain with mottled feathers, blue shanks, and all green-shelled eggs was obtained. The breeding process did not introduce any genetic material from other chicken breeds and was conducted entirely within the Lindian chicken conservation population through closed selection. The specific steps included: S1: Select 1000 16-week-old Lindian chickens to form a generation 0 base group. The individual chickens in the base group should have a clear pedigree. S2: The roosters in the basic flock should have the characteristics of blue shanks and mottled feathers; S3: The chickens selected in step S2 are mated at 25 weeks of age, avoiding sibling relationships, and the next generation of chickens is hatched and bred using pedigree. S4: The first generation of chicks bred are culled, and weak chicks and individuals with abnormal development are eliminated. The remaining healthy chicks are selected with blue shanks and three stripes on their backs, which means they will develop into individuals with mottled feathers. They are then sexed. Each chick after sexing is fitted with a wing tag that can reflect the individual's pedigree and sex information. S5: When the first generation chicks reach 4 weeks of age, blood is collected from the wing vein. The DNA of the collected blood samples is extracted, and the green-shelled egg genotype is detected using molecular markers. Homozygous and heterozygous individuals containing the green-shelled egg genotype are retained, while individuals without the green-shelled egg genotype are culled. S6: The chickens left in step S5 are allowed to eat and drink freely; when the chickens reach 16 weeks of age, a second selection is made based on feather color and shank color, and individuals that meet the requirements are kept for breeding. S7: Raise the chickens selected in step S6 to 25 weeks of age. Conduct semen collection training and semen quality testing on the roosters, and select individuals with sufficient semen volume and good semen quality for breeding. Observe the development and egg production of the hens, and select individuals with red combs, soft abdomens, and who are in the egg-laying period for breeding. Test the individuals selected for breeding for leukemia and pullorum disease, and cull positive individuals. The remaining individuals are mated according to a male:female ratio of 1:10, avoiding sibling relationships, and hatched through pedigree breeding to produce two generations of chickens. S8: Repeat step S4 for second-generation chickens; S9: When the second generation chicks reached 4 weeks of age, blood was collected from the wing vein. DNA was extracted from the collected blood samples, and the genotype of green-shelled eggs was detected using molecular markers. Only individuals with homozygous green-shelled eggs were retained in this test. S10: The chickens left in step S9 are allowed free access to feed and water; when the chickens reach 16 weeks of age, a second selection is made based on feather color and shank color, keeping individuals with mottled feathers and blue shanks. This time, the breeding rate for roosters is 30%, and the breeding rate for hens is 45%. S11: After the hens left in step S10 start laying eggs, record the eggshell color and number of eggs laid. When the hens are 40 weeks old, count the number of eggs laid by each family line, sort them according to the egg production of each family line, and select families whose average egg production is above the group average for breeding. Among the families selected for breeding, select individual hens whose egg production is also higher than the group average as the female line for breeding the next generation. The retention rate at this stage is 30-40%. S12: The roosters left in step S10 are selected once according to the egg production of their siblings and the family selection method, with a retention rate of 10%. Then, a second selection is made based on the semen collection and semen quality, with a retention rate of 2-3% after the selection. S13: Test the chickens selected in steps S10 and S11 for leukemia and pullorum disease, eliminate positive individuals, and mate the remaining individuals without sibling relationships, and breed three generations of chickens through pedigree incubation. S14: Repeat steps S8-13. After three generations of selective breeding, a specialized system of Lindian chickens with mottled feathers, blue shanks, and all green-shelled eggs can be obtained. The retention rate is obtained by dividing the selected chickens by the number of chicks and multiplying by 100%.

2. The breeding method for a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S5 uses the SLCO1B3 molecular marker genotype detection method.

3. The method for breeding a specialized strain of Lindian chicken with blue shanks, mottled feathers, and green-shelled eggs according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The average egg production of the Lindian chicken breed obtained using this method was 149 eggs at 66 weeks.

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