Phenotypic Characterization of Syiar Markasa: An indigenous chicken of Meghalaya

Abstract

The present study documented the flock structure, management practices and morphological and performance traits of Syiar Markasa chickens, maintained by 105 households across Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and Ri-Bhoi districts of Meghalaya. Syiar Markasa is an indigenous chicken breed, more densely found in Eastern West Khasi Hills, reared under backyard systems mainly for meat and also as a cash reserve during hardship. These birds are small, compact, with long legs. Morphological traits such as plumage colour and pattern, skin, earlobe, and eye colour were recorded. The predominant plumage colour in Syiar Markasa chickens was Golden Reddish Brown (40.323%), followed by Golden Blackish Brown (37.096%). In females, Golden Reddish Brown (53.225%) and Black (19.354%) were most common. Males mostly exhibited solid plumage patterns (83.871%), while females showed solid (54.838%) and striped/penciled (19.354%) patterns. Yellow was the dominant skin colour (75.00%), with white accounting for 25.00%. Shank colour was mainly yellow (69.355%), followed by white (11.290%), grey (8.065%), and black (0.806%). Earlobes were predominantly red (95.161%), with a few showing white (3.226%) or red-white admixture (1.613%). Adult cocks averaged 1.960±0.052 kg in body weight, and hens 1.656±0.028 kg. Hens laid around 35–40 eggs per year and were broody. Eggs were medium-sized, weighing 41.848±1.084 g, with creamy to brown shells. Egg quality indices: Albumin Index, Yolk Index and Haugh Units were 17.376±0.334, 20.397±0.435, and 93.527±0.895 respectively. Over generations, Syiar Markasa chickens have adapted well to local conditions, marking them as a distinct, meat-type indigenous poultry population of Meghalaya