Ermellinata di Rovigo

Geographic origin: Veneto (Rovigo)

Geographic distribution: Veneto

Estimated total population size: 828 (Castillo et al, 2021)

Extinction risk status (FAO, 1998): Threatened conserved

Historical origin of the breed

The selection of this breed started in 1959 at the Poultry Experimental Station of Rovigo, with the purpose to obtain chickens characterised by high quality meat. It is considered a dual-purpose breed, as it also shows good egg-laying properties. The Sussex and Rhode Island breeds participated in the creation of the breed.

Picture from the archives of Prof. Gabriele Baldan and Prof. Massimo De Marchi

Qualitative morphological traits

Feather morphology: Normal

Feather distribution: Normal

Plumage structure: Slightly soft, but adherent, abundant; in the female, plumage more adherent and less abundant than in the male

Plumage colours: Classic ermine plumage

Colour features: Bi-colour, without sexual dimorphism

Colour pattern: White plumage, neck hackle striped with black, main tail feathers and flight feathers marked with black, tail perfectly black

Chick plumage colour: Yellow down; light grey wing span

Ermellinata di Rovigo male (UniPD)

Comb type: Single comb, upright

Comb spikes: Five to six spikes

Ear-lobe colour: Red

Beak colour: Light horn, darker at the top

Iris colour: Red, yellow permitted

Skin colour: Yellow

Shank colour: Yellow

Shank feathering: Free from feathers

Quantitative morphological traits

Ermellinata-Quantitativi_en

Genetic traits

Characterisation of the breed with Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)

Ermellinata-GeneticiSNPs_en

Characterisation of nucleus populations with microsatellites and mating plans

Ermellinata-GeneticiMicrosatelliti_en

Reproductive and productive quantitative traits

Oviposition, brooding and incubation data

Ermellinata-Ovodeposizione_en

Egg-quality traits

Ermellinata-Uovo1_en

Ermellinata-Uovo2_en

Reproductive traits

Ermellinata-Riproduttivi_en

Slaughter data (age: 24 weeks)

Ermellinata-Macellazione_en

Rearing traits

Ermellinata-Allevamento_en

The presented data were registered in the nucleus population conserved at the “Sasse Rami” Experimental Farm, in Ceregnano (Rovigo).

Latest update: October 14^th, 2023

Download the technical data sheet of the Ermellinata di Rovigo breed:

Download the data sheet (A4)

Download the data sheet (booklet)

(The layout of the data sheet is ready for the booklet format. Print on both sides of paper, selecting “flip on short edge”.)

Year 1 results

Action 1 – Phenotypic characterisation – Year 1

Action 2 – Genetic characterisation – Year 1

UniPD activity report - Year 1 - Download pdf

Year 2 results

Action 1 – Phenotypic characterisation – Year 2

Action 2 – Genetic characterisation – Year 2

UniPD activity report - Year 2 - Download pdf

Year 3 results

Action 1 – Phenotypic characterisation – Year 3

Action 2 – Genetic characterisation – Year 3

UniPD activity report - Year 3 - Download pdf

Germplasm collection

211

The breed is conserved in our Cryobank with 211 semen doses from 7 donors.

Current consistency of the Cryobank

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