Opportunity Knocked

According to the Genome Institute at the University of Washington, the chicken genome —or more precisely that of its ancestor, the Red Jungle Fowl — has been described as the “premier non-mammalian vertebrate model organism and was the first genome to be sequenced of an animal that represents a significant component of the world’s food supply.”

David W. Burt of The Roslin Institute noted the importance of sequencing the genome in a 2005 Genomic Research article, where he wrote “many features of the chicken genome and its biology make it an ideal organism for studies in development and evolution, along with applications in agriculture and medicine.”

In fact, the chicken has played an integral role in research for more than 100 years. Burt notes that the chicken has been a popular model organism for understanding the fundamentals of biology, being ideally suited for the study of vertebrate development because the embryo is readily available and thus easily manipulated.

Prior to the sequencing of the chicken genome, the molecular development of limbs, the discovery of B cells and tumour-causing viruses are just three examples of the chicken’s contribution to biology.   

Although selective breeding has allowed the poultry industry worldwide to achieve exponential growth in the last 80 to 90 years, selecting for traits coveted by consumers and agri-business (fast growth, increased breast yield and egg production) has had some unintended consequences, such as an increase in metabolic and skeletal disorders, and reduced disease resistance.

Poultry breeding companies are, of course, utilizing the chicken genome in their quest to eliminate such undesirable traits but knowing gene sequences is only part of the equation. Understanding how genes function and how they affect certain traits is key.

That’s why the preservation of genetic material is critically important.  So-called “heritage breeds” represent a vital source of genetic variability, but live populations are costly for research institutions to maintain. Facing a funding shortfall, the Poultry Research Centre (PRC) at the University of Alberta developed a unique funding model to maintain its heritage lines and received an added bonus — the opportunity to engage consumers and teach them about poultry science and farming (see page 20).

The PRC launched its “Adopt a Hen” program in 2013 and expanded it for this year.  The program has supporters pay to “adopt” a hen from one of its five heritage breeds, and in return supporters receive a dozen eggs every two weeks.  New this year was the addition of chicks being available for sale at local Peavey Mart locations in the Edmonton area.

A huge success, “what started as a money recovery project has really turned into a community outreach program,” says Dr. Valerie Carney, an adjunct professor with the PRC.

It’s not surprising that the program was met with great interest from other universities in North America when Carney presented the program at the recent Poultry Science Association Meeting in Texas.  Having a sustainable method of preserving valuable genetic resources while teaching and cultivating an interest in the poultry industry — it doesn’t get much better than that.