Traditional Hungarian Turkey breeds in Southeast-Asia: Overview of the adaptation studies in Vietnam

Abstract

Within animal husbandry, poultry production is the second most important source of income for smallholdings in Vietnam. To develop poultry husbandry in poor regions, the most realistic approach is the low input, environmentally friendly production. For this purpose, resistant breeds capable to tolerate local conditions and climate are needed. As the continuation of the traditions of the Hungarian-Vietnamese cooperation in small animal breeding, Institute for Small Animal Research (KÁTKI) in Gödöllő (ÁTK since 2006), and MGE (Association of Hungarian Small Animal Breeders for Gene Conservation), as the official breeding organization of old Hungarian poultry breeds have been carrying out research for adaptation since the end of the 1990s. In the frames of this research cooperation, old Hungarian poultry breeds (chicken, duck, guinea-fowl and turkey) were sent to the Poultry Research Centre (POREC) of the National Institute for Animal Husbandry in Hanoi, Vietnam, for adaptation studies.

In 2006, a NEFE (ODA) project started, aiming to organize adaptation, rural propagation and breeding background of the old Hungarian turkey breeds in Vietnam, with special respect to the local aspects of sustainability, gene conservation of local breeds, and development of traditional family mixed farming. Financial support for the project was provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary and CIDA, Canada. Results of rearing and reproduction periods of adaptation experiments of two Hungarian turkey breeds: bronze and copper, it can be concluded that they can be bred in Vietnam with real success. Hatching results of breeding eggs shipped to Vietnam indicate that good (maybe somewhat better) results can be obtained in Vietnam than in Hungary. It was confirmed by hatching results of eggs produced in Vietnam in 2007. As regards body weight gain and livability till 20 weeks of age, better results can be obtained in Vietnam, than in Hungary. Livability was found much better in Vietnam in both breeds studied, however, no mortality was observed after 8 weeks of age in either environment. It also means that 100% of birds survived during egg production too. As regards reproduction characteristics, turkeys start egg production more than 100 days earlier in Vietnam, and produce more but – due to early start of laying and longer production period – somewhat smaller eggs. Adaptation studies of Hungarian turkey breeds demonstrate well the excellent adaptability of these breeds in Vietnamese environment. It is presumed, that their genetically determined, ancient characteristics can be realized in an environment similar to the original one, even after several hundred years.