Phenotypic characterization and socioeconomic importance of Gallus gallus domesticus in communities of Tetela de Ocampo, Mexico

Abstract

The rearing of criollo hens in the backyard is a main characteristic of rural communities for
the obtaining of economic resources or base of alimentary sustenance. In this research the
morphological phenotypic characters of Gallus gallus domesticus were studied, and a socioeconomic
analysis was carried out in six communities in Tetela de Ocampo, Puebla, Mexico,
to determine the importance of hens in rural communities. The results show significant differences
between males and females of the phenotypic and morphological traits, being the size
of crest, beard, weight and wingspan the most representative. The socioeconomic analysis
showed that there is variation in housing, space, food, number of specimens destined for sale
and self-consumption, and the hen has more than 70% resistance to diseases. Creole hens
are an important component in backyards, providing a range of types, sizes, colors, etc., preserving
the animal genetic resource for future generations.