KONYA (AA) – SERHAT ÇETİNKAYA – The genetic heritage of the Gerze rooster, which is distinguished by its horn-like forked comb, white earrings and feathers that change color in the sun, is protected in Konya. At the Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), studies are carried out to preserve and improve the genetic characteristics of the Gerze rooster.
Gerze roosters and chickens, unique to Sinop’s Gerze district, which are carefully raised in special coops established at the institute within the scope of the “Project for the Protection and Development of Animal Gene Resources”, are considered among the important genetic resources of Turkey. Especially the roosters of the species attract attention with their green and purple reflections in the sunlight on their black feathers, red forked crests resembling horns, white earrings, long tail feathers, and their showy and upright stance.
In Sinop, a conservation and rehabilitation project continues under the coordination of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. – “The reason why it is preserved here is that we have a good infrastructure,” said Dr., veterinarian of the Institute’s Livestock Research Department. Halil Harman told the AA correspondent that the Gerze rooster is one of Turkey’s important local animal genetic resources. Harman emphasized that they implemented a controlled breeding program to ensure that the characteristic features of the breed are not lost, and that the selection of breeders is made in line with the determined criteria.
Explaining that Gerze roosters are distinguished from others, especially with their shiny black feather structure, body form and race-specific characteristics, Harman said, “The reason why Gerze roosters and chickens are protected here is that we have a good infrastructure. The most important feature of these chickens is that they are local gene sources. We will have the opportunity to reproduce them in cases of emergency, war or when this breed disappears or cannot be reached due to a major disease.” he said.
– Chicks of the best roosters and hens are selected for breeding. Harman stated that separate records are kept for each rooster and hen and that they carry out the breeding work meticulously and said: “As part of the breeding work, we follow the animals one by one in individual cages on a daily basis. Which animals lay good eggs? Which animals have the correct egg shapes and weights?” We evaluate the living strength of the animals and their first egg weight.
We incubate the eggs we obtain through artificial insemination with the roosters we choose. We also follow the born chicks one by one. “We will continue to breed by selecting chicks with higher productivity and better physical characteristics among the chicks that have characteristics inherited from the mother and father.” Emphasizing that they carefully preserve the purity of the breed, Harman said, “Gerze chicken is an ancient heritage of our Anatolia and our country’s own genetic resource.
This species, with its unique features, is carefully protected. “Not only Gerze chicken, but all these special breeds are carefully protected in organizations affiliated with our ministry.” he said.
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