Egg Quality from Siciliana and Livorno Italian Autochthonous Chicken Breeds Reared in Organic System

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Nowadays, biodiversity is becoming increasingly important every day, both for its interest in safeguarding biodiversity and because the reduction of genetic variability leads animals to a poorer response to ever faster and more unexpected environmental and climatic variations. Moreover, while nutritional differences among foods obtained from the most widely used livestock species have been relatively well documented, less attention has been paid to foods obtained from different breeds within species. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO objective for native breed safeguarding, the aim of this study was to present a first contribution on the egg quality of endangered the Siciliana chicken breed comparing these results with those of Livorno pure breed, reared in the same organic condition system to obtain useful data for future conservation programs. The results of our research showed similar values for the physical–chemical characteristics, fatty acid profile, and nutritional indices of Siciliana and Livorno eggs, highlighting several valuable quality traits of eggs from these breeds which might be taken into account for the conservation and the exploitation of this low today utilized Italian chicken. Therefore, the results of our research must be considered as an original set of knowledge useful to encourage farmers rearing autochthonous breeds, particularly suitable for organic systems. ABSTRACT: In poultry production, the intensive use of high-performing hybrid animals led to loss of genetic variability and a consequent lower response to climatic change and disease. Poultry biodiversity is seriously threatened, and its safeguard is a strong objective in developed countries. According to the FAO, which emphasized the importance of native breeds for its country of origin, the aim of this study was to present the first contribution on eggs quality for endangered the Siciliana chicken breed and deepen knowledge on the local Livorno breed. At 20 weeks of age, 108 laying hens (54 Siciliana breed and 54 Livorno breed) were divided into six homogeneous groups of 18 hens each and reared according to requirements imposed by the EC Regulation 889/08 for organic production. The production cycle was controlled over one year, and egg production was recorded daily by group. Eggs were collected, weighted, and measured. Physico-chemical parameter and fatty acids profile were analyzed and nutritional indexes calculated. The statistical model included the effects of breed (Siciliana, Livorno). Egg production was 190 egg/head for Siciliana and 180 for Livorno group. The results showed similar values for Siciliana and Livorno egg quality, highlighting several valuable quality traits from these breeds which might be taken into account for conservation programs.