Morphological characteristics of indigenous chicken Ho and Dong Tao in VietNam

The objective of this study is to determine morphological characteristics and distinguish between Ho and Dong Tao chickens. Morpho-biometric characterization was based on measurement of 405 adult individuals, various body parameters were recorded including 165 Ho (123 males and 42 females) and 240 Dong Tao (40 males and 200 females). Moreover, 128 Ho (27 males and 101 females) and 240 Dong Tao (69 males and 171 females) were determined based on color characteristics of feather, tarsus and beak, and comb style. Ho chicken is a breed with large dimension, diversity in the colors (black with gold hackle, black copper, wheat, tan and tricolor), heavy body (3765.49 and 2642.56g for males and females, respectively). Dong Tao chickens have various phenotypes, as indicated in their diverse feather colors, tarsus colors and comb types. The body size of Dong Tao chickens is also large (3,394.75 and 2,815.20g for males and females, respectively). The body weight and all body measurements of the cocks were larger than those of hens. It is possible to distinguish Ho and Dong Tao chickens using morphological characte- ristics based on body size and visual observations. When using a combination of tarsus size, body weight and tarsus length, or a combination of tarsus color, beak color and feather color, Ho and Dong Tao breeds can be distinguised with less than 5% of errors. The results of this study can be used to separately select Ho and Dong Tao chickens using morphological characteristics.