Tropical Poultry Genetics Solutions (TPGS) digital database: User guide

The accuracy of genetic parameter and breeding value estimations are highly dependent on data quality and size. Manual data recording and management is less efficient in providing timely feedback about a breeding program. This is because the manual data entry tasks become more complex as the size of data increases. A central digital database is crucial to facilitate data capture, analysis and timely feedback to the breeding programs. In this regard, Tropical Poultry Genetics Solutions (TPGS) has developed a user-friendly web database and application for recording performance data of the breeding chicken across the project countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. An easy to use and applicable data recording and utilization system fitting the low-input system is crucial for efficient and sustainable breeding programs. This guide provides an overview of the features and functionalities, including detailed functionalities of a web-based poultry performance recording database system, developed by the Tropical Poultry Genetics Solutions (TPGS) program of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The purpose of this guide is to help users capture phenotype records (egg production, egg weight, age at first egg, body weight and survival) of chickens, analyse and generate summary reports of the poultry breeding programs in Africa and Southeast Asia.